Portrait of a Partnership

Covenant schools, like SC, emphasize the “three-corded” strength of the partnership between the family, school, and church as they equip the next generation spiritually, educationally, and morally.

Ecclesiastes 4:12

Though one may be overpowered,
    two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Before we explore the attributes of a successful educational partnership, we must acknowledge that, as much as we want every child to excel, our educational model is not the right fit for every family.

Let’s take a moment to clarify who Santiam Christian is not for:

  • Families that don’t value Christian education.

  • Students who have disrupted the learning environment at other schools.

  • Students who have trouble following reasonable behavior expectations.

  • Parents and students who expect to avoid natural consequences and disagreements.

  • Families who expect to have influence through giving.

We believe it’s better to be on the same page early than to hope to get on the same page once a family is enrolled.

What does a successful educational partnership at Santiam Christian look like? Our Portrait of a Partnership illustrates the four mutual commitments between the home and school.

The family’s commitment:

At Santiam Christian, we are honored to partner with families who:

  • embrace a biblical worldview and a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

  • esteem Christian values and are committed to an intentional Christian education that nurtures faith, academic excellence, and character development.

  • uphold traditional biblical and cultural values.

  • work with us to equip our students with wisdom and integrity, preparing them to stand firm in their faith and reflect Christ’s light in the world.

Christian Values Partnership

Santiam Christian’s commitment:

  • We will remain true to the doctrinal positions outlined in our Statement of Faith.

  • We will ensure that Christian differences outside our Statement of Faith are handled with respect and grace.

  • We will encourage our students to have and grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

  • We will teach biblical character principles that foster our love for God and others.

Family-Church-School Partnership

The family’s commitment:

At Santiam Christian, we partner with families who:

  • actively engaged in their local church.

  • commit to SC membership responsibilities.

  • are dedicated to biblical conflict resolution (Matt. 18).

  • help us foster a community of integrity where gossip has no place, disagreements are handled with grace, and where we seek common ground as we find solutions.

  • understand that no institution is perfect, but that all are doing their best, and that “good will to all” isn’t just a cliché.

Santiam Christian’s commitment:

  • We will demonstrate our faithful relationship with Christ through our words and actions.

  • We will strengthen our partnership through timely communication and follow-through.

  • We will hire staff who support our mission and are called to Christian education.

  • We will recognize the intrinsic value and potential of every child of God.

The family’s commitment:

At Santiam Christian, we partner with families who:

  • prioritize education, uphold high academic and behavior expectations, and actively support teachers.

  • have students who desire to be here.

  • encourage study time while keeping learning above extracurriculars.

  • help us cultivate a community of excellence in both academics and character.

Learning and Character Partnership

Santiam Christian’s commitment:

  • We will uphold high standards in academics and behavior.

  • We will create an atmosphere of mutual respect as we approach content through a biblical worldview.

  • We will strive to offer a diverse range of activities and classes that serve a variety of student interests and God-given talents.

The family’s commitment:

At Santiam Christian, we partner with families who:

  • actively engage in our community, honor tuition commitments, and invest in our future.

  • volunteer, participate in membership meetings, and support special giving opportunities.

  • strengthen our mission and help build a thriving, faith-filled environment for today and tomorrow.

Community Partnership

Santiam Christian’s commitment:

  • We will commit to the same partnership expectations of our families.

  • We will develop school events that provide opportunities for our community to foster meaningful relationships.

  • We will support our families by providing educational resources that strengthen Christian families.

  • We will provide volunteering opportunities to serve and support one another.