Vibrant
Christian Schools
receive most of their
students by word of
mouth recommenda-
tions.
Paid advertising is often a necessary part of marketing a
school to the community. However, when a school is vibrant
and alive, parents are the number one agents for recruiting
new students. The best radio, internet or TV ad can’t come
close to the power of one parent sharing their passion about
your school with other parents. I would go so far as to say
that one of the greatest indicators of vibrancy in a school is
the level of parental excitement and energy for the school.
If your parents are going to share the same passion for
your Christian school that you have, three things must
happen. First, their child must have a very positive expe-
rience. This does not mean their child never struggles or
even faces discipline. It means that everything is put into
a perspective of the constructive development of the child.
If a parent truly believes you are a member of their team,
helping their child reach their fullest potential, they will be
grateful and supportive. If they ever begin to believe you
think their child is a lost cause, they will work against you
and spread negativity about their experience.
The second thing that must happen is you must be very
intentional about selling your parents on Christian educa-
tion. Every school should have a goal that their parents are
as passionate about the importance of giving their child a
biblical worldview education as the school leaders are. This
happens as you provide quality speakers, books, magazines,
videos, etc., to enhance your parents understanding of
the worldview battle that is raging in education. Once my
dad understood the worldview battle that was raging in
education, he pulled all of his children out of public school
and sacrificed deeply till all nine of us kids completed our
Christian education. In order for parents to be passionate
about their Christian school, they must believe in the cause
with all their heart.
Third, if parents are going to be passionate about your
school, they must be personally involved and invested in
the school. The more parents have a vested interest in the
success of the school, the more they will work to bring more
students, donors, and energy.
"Every school
should have a
goal that their
parents are as
passionate about
the importance of
giving their child a
biblical worldview
education as the
school leaders
are."
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