HEADLINE STORY
Friday, October 22, 2004

The entire Shannon Forest family is invited to celebrate the successful passing of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accreditation and the new vision Shannon Forest Christian School (SFCS) has adopted to take us into the future.

The four member SACS team was on our campus for three days, October 18 through October 20, talking with teachers, parents, students, staff and administrators. They looked at every aspect of our school, from academics to health and safety, to programs including fine arts, sports, student clubs and our plans for the future. In an exit interview with SFCS Headmaster Doug McLaughlin and SFPC Pastor Mike Rybka, the team indicated that we not only passed, but had the following comments to say about our school.

At the initial report from the SACS accreditation team, the team leader spent most of the meeting going over the technical report of how the school did in the accreditation process. After his report, the other three team members each took a moment to make one comment about the school. After spending three days on our campus, each shared the one thing that stood out in their mind more than any other point.

The first shared that her impression was that it is obvious that the number one strength of the school is our faculty. It is not only that they are great teachers in their subject matter, which they are, but also how they live out their faith in Jesus Christ. Students talked about how the teachers know them personally and how they care for each student on campus. She remarked how teachers are open with their faith, not only in Bible class, but in every aspect of school life. Most importantly, it was commented how the teachers not only talk about their faith, but how they model their faith—how they live out and exemplify the values and the truths that they teach.

The second team member commented “I have never seen a Christian school where the Christian emphasis permeates everything you do,” more than at Shannon Forest.

The third shared how in her various jobs she has had to visit well over 100 private schools. She continued, having seen all those private schools, Shannon Forest “is one of the most powerful learning communities I have ever seen.”

“Now that the accreditation is completed, we are focusing on the future,” says McLaughlin.” “The School Board has charged the Administration with putting together a plan to implement the goals or “end statements” that paint a picture of what we are striving to impart to our students.” This plan or vision is what is currently being discussed in small group meetings with school families and friends of SFCS. The four projects that will help us accomplish this vision are:

1.) Establish a Faculty Enrichment Program

2.) Build a New Middle/Upper School Facility

3.) Implement a Tuition Reduction Program

4.) Partner with a Christian Sister School in a Third World Country

We will be celebrating the initial results of our fund raising campaign to build the endowment that will realize this vision at our upcoming Annual Banquet on Friday, November 12, at 6:30 p.m. at the Palmetto Expo Center. Please call Steve Whaley, SFCS Development Director, at 864.678.5113 to R.S.V.P. your reservation for this important event in the life of our school.

Ends Statements for Shannon Forest Christian School

Students of Christian families in the Upstate receive an excellent liberal arts education in such a way that they are made disciples with a mature personal faith and a fully integrated biblical worldview. Students’ minds are developed as a platform for evangelism

• Student academic performance exceeds state and national standards/ averages
• Students memorize and apply Scripture
• Students understand and are able to interpret current events
• Students apply academic and biblical principles in problem solving
• Students receive a rigorous academic curriculum
• Students are able to research and pursue knowledge for a lifetime
• Graduates have been exposed to a rigorous foreign language curriculum
• Students treat their bodies as the temple of the Holy Spirit
• Students compete in athletics
• Students allow the Spirit of God to guide their souls in to all Truth
• Students personally respond to carrying out the Great Commission locally and around the world in a culturally sensitive manner
• Students are able to defend their Christian faith
• Students have a fully integrated view of world events in light of Scripture
• Students live as examples of the Gospel
• Students are Salt and Light to the world
• Students spur others on toward sanctification
• Students humbly glorify God in all they do
• Students bear the image of Christ
• Students value prayer
• Students develop lifelong patterns of prayer

Student body is culturally, economically, and socially diverse

• Students are effective in society
• Students are responsible citizens
• Students develop leadership skills
• Students respect authority
• Students are peacemakers
• Students value unity and believe that “together is better than separate”
• Students appreciate literature and the arts and understand how they express and shape their beliefs and values
• Students understand and appreciate our stewardship of God’s resources
• Students value social, cultural, and ethnic diversity

Students are discipled in an intentional/strategic manner. Administration, faculty, board and staff are themselves intentionally discipled. Families are intentionally discipled. Families receive educational services at a rate that is affordable.

These End Statements were created by the SFCS Board Members and given to the Administration on June 22, 2004. The Administration was charged with creating a visionary plan to implement these end statements within the current year.

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