400: Leadership and Trust: Key Factors for a Successful Christian School

Do you feel your organization might be a bit stagnant? Today, we're joined by Dr. Jason Rachels, President of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, the largest Christian school in the U.S. with nearly 3,000 students. Tune in to discover how intentional leadership can foster a flourishing workplace culture and drive significant growth.

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In this episode:

Introduction and Overview of Christian Education Changes:

• Jason has been with Calvary Christian Academy since its inception in 2000, progressing from assistant principal to president. (02:29)
• Christian schools have shifted focus towards intentional discipleship and a biblical worldview to counteract negative influences from social media. (03:05)
• Core strengths such as adherence to the Word of God and Christ-centered focus remain unchanged. (03:37)

Engagement and Diversity:

• Calvary Christian Academy has used the Best Christian Workplaces Engagement Survey since 2015, seeing significant improvement in workplace culture. (03:57)
• The school excels in valuing diversity, partly due to its association with a diverse church and community. (04:31)
• Hiring focuses on selecting the best candidates, resulting in natural diversity without setting quotas. (04:43)

Trust and Collaboration:

• The longevity of leadership at Calvary Christian Academy contributes to a high level of trust. (05:37)
• Leaders have risen through the ranks, demonstrating exceptional ability and character. (06:51)
• Consistent mission focus on Jesus’s Great Commission helps unite staff around shared goals. (07:11)
• Practical steps to build trust include being true to their word, showing long-term commitment, and being transparent with staff. (07:24)

Growth and Culture Integration:

• The school has experienced growth and added new locations, presenting challenges in maintaining a cohesive culture. (08:34)
• Efforts to integrate new locations include being consistent in character, caring for and respecting people, and focusing on core mission and values. (09:31)
• External support from organizations like School Growth and BCWI has been instrumental in assessing and improving culture across campuses. (09:53)

Managing Expectations and Building Community:

• Managing parent expectations is crucial, and the school strives to provide a high-quality program and foster a loving, respectful community. (11:02)
• The school has clear expectations for students, staff, and parents, and takes necessary actions when those expectations are not met. (12:46)
• High standards are maintained to ensure the community remains strong and cohesive, even if it means making tough decisions like expulsions or staff removals. (12:55)

Challenges and Trends in Christian Schools:

• Space and Growth: Many Christian schools face space challenges due to increasing enrollment as families leave public schools. (16:35)
• Anti-Biblical Culture: Students are increasingly exposed to anti-biblical messages, necessitating stronger biblical worldview education. (17:09)
• Training for Staff: Schools are training teachers in solid biblical worldview development, using resources like the Colson Center and specific books. (17:34)

Benefits of a Flourishing Culture:

• Staff Engagement: A flourishing culture leads to more engaged staff, who are aligned with leadership and better equipped to handle challenges. (18:05)

Partnership with Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale:

• Communication: Maintaining open lines of communication and clear policies helps manage the complex relationship between the school and church. (19:21)
• Flexibility: Emphasizing flexibility and mutual respect helps navigate shared resources and collaborative efforts. (19:42)

Importance of Flourishing Workplace Culture:

• Healthy Environment: A flourishing culture creates a healthy environment, enhancing staff relationships and student care. (21:38)
• Attraction and Retention: Positive culture attracts the best talent and students, contributing to overall success and sustainability. (21:53)
• Positive Word of Mouth: Healthy culture attracts and retains the best students, parents, and staff, contributing to a positive reputation and growth. (21:56)
• Practical Impact: Emphasizing culture has a direct impact on the financial health and operational success of the school. (22:22)

Insights and Best Practices:

• Intentional Discipleship: Focusing on Christian worldview and discipleship is crucial for student development. (23:06)
• Diversity and Excellence: Hiring the best candidates leads to a naturally diverse and high-performing team. (23:11)
• Trust and Character: Building trust through consistent character and love and respect for people is essential. (23:25)
• Longevity of Leadership: Long-term leaders build trust and integrity, promoting stability and consistent culture. (23:34)

Final Thoughts:

• Appreciation for BCWI: Jason appreciates the support from Best Christian Workplaces Institute (BCWI) and acknowledges the difference it makes in creating a flourishing culture. (24:45)
• Data-Driven Improvements: Using detailed survey data helps identify specific areas for improvement and actionable steps. (25:25)

Future Plans:

• Expansion: CCA is opening new campuses in Boynton Beach and North Miami, utilizing tools and strategies to address cultural challenges and ensure a smooth integration. (26:15)

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