Jason Rachels, President, Calvary Christian Academy
After COVID-19, many parents had a better glimpse of public education, which proved a positive for those providing a Christian-based education, according to Jason Rachels, president of Calvary Christian Academy in South Florida. The HB 1 voucher extension has also played a part. “There has been a real change and a real desire for more people to want to be a part of it. The trend is on the rise for Christian education,” he told Invest:.
How has Calvary Christian Academy grown over the years?
This is our 25th year. For the first 20 or so years, it was this one campus in Fort Lauderdale, but it has grown to become the largest Christian school not only in the state of Florida but also in the continental United States. Five years ago, we had an opportunity to expand into Hollywood. There was a school there that was struggling, and the church ministry that oversaw it asked us if we would take it over. We did. It went from struggling to being almost double in size and very healthy. We have been able to improve the quality of the school for the kids and the staff. It’s been a great thing. Then, two years ago, a school in North Miami that was struggling and potentially facing closure asked us if we would take over, which we did. It has been growing ever since. We have been growing each campus and growing the number of campuses.
How has the demand for private Christian education evolved?
It’s a great time for Christian education. Through COVID, many parents had a chance to get a better glimpse inside the public schools as their kids were learning from home. . We’ve seen a lot of families leaving the public schools since then, even more so than before. Their dissatisfaction has led to an increased demand for Christian education. Now, House Bill 1 is providing parents with a greater opportunity to choose the school they want for their child. Instead of having to go to public school, they now have a greater opportunity to choose what they want for their kids.
What trends are emerging that favor or challenge Christian education?
Not everybody wants a Christian education. There are secular schools, and other religious schools — all different types. But in Florida, we’ve seen a real trend of people wanting Christian education. A lot of the other heads of schools that I meet with share that their schools have waiting lists and that they’re running out of space. In previous decades, Christian education nationally was dropping by about 2% per year, but now it’s going up. There has been a real change and a real desire for more people to want to be a part of it. The trend is on the rise for Christian education. Parents are recognizing that a truly excellent education nurtures not only a child’s academic success but also their spiritual and emotional well-being — foundational elements that shape a thriving, well-rounded individual. Christian schools provide both rigorous academics and a Christ-centered environment that fosters holistic growth.
What are some of the unique opportunities in operating a school with an emphasis on faith, athletics, and fine arts?
When students have access to excellent academics and extracurriculars, they have a greater opportunity to shine and explore who God created them to be. Doing it with a focus on faith and wanting to make disciples for Jesus Christ allows us to educate the whole person. The most important thing for each one of us, whether we realize it or not, is our relationship with God. When we can help students realize how much God loves them and cares for them, how he created them to be unique with special gifts and talents that they can use to serve others, it gives them a true, more inspirational vision of themselves. It makes them think, “Wow, I’m special. God cares about me, and I can make a difference in this world.” That can make you want to study a little bit harder or to step out and attempt great things in the arts or in athletics. We find that it leads to spiraling success and to a loving community.
What are the strategies to attract and retain teachers?
That’s a challenge when you think about South Florida’s housing costs. That could make it difficult for some schools to find great teachers. But God has blessed us. One of the factors that we provide is an uplifting school environment. It’s a great place to work and a place where people want their kids to attend. That has led a lot of teachers to want to come to Calvary Christian Academy. We also offer some key benefits like a full tuition discount for our teachers and professional development opportunities.
Every other year, we partner with the Best Christian Workplaces organization to conduct a third-party Employee Engagement Survey.. It asks key questions that help us understand the culture at each of our campuses. We’ve been named a certified ”Best Christian Workplace” for many years.
What are the main priorities for Calvary Christian Academy over the next two to three years?
Our biggest priority is continuing to carry out our mission of making disciples. That is, trying to help kids know who Jesus Christ is and how they can have a rich, amazing relationship with Him. That has always been our focus and always will be.
We also continue to extend our academic programming. We are expanding our law and medical course offerings for high school students to provide students with greater career-specific opportunities.
Because so many families want their child to be a part of Calvary Christian Academy, we are working diligently on plans for a beautiful revitalization of a 10-acre school campus that is about a half mile from our main campus. This will make it possible for us to improve the beauty of the city and to serve more students. We are also continuing to make improvements and growth at our Hollywood, North Miami, and Boynton Beach campuses as well.
