Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is founded upon two fundamental principles.  First, that our school will be Christ-centered in its focus and second, that our curriculum will follow the Biblical pattern of education which is knowledge, understanding and wisdom.

What does Christ-centered actually mean at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy?
Very often “Christian schools” fall into one of two categories.  There are those Christian schools where the curriculum follows a secular direction, and prayer and Bible class are added to make the school “Christian.”  The other type includes those schools that are so religious in their focus that academics are sacrificed.  Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is unique in that excellence in academics is pursued in a truly Christ-centered environment.  Christ-centered at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy means that Christian ethic and understanding permeate all activities of the school, both academic and non-academic. What this means in practice is that the Christian world view is included when teaching traditional academic subjects.  For example, when teaching mathematics, students learn from the perspective that there is a created order to the universe that allows math “to work”.  Science and scientific principles are taught in a way that does not explain away God, but rather provides evidence and justification for His existence.  As each subject is taught, our students learn that God’s brilliant design enhances understanding; it does not diminish it.  Our Christ-centered focus is underscored by the scripture verse which is our school’s foundation.  When asked which is the greatest commandment, Jesus replied:

“You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your MIND.”
Matthew 22:37-38

What is meant by Knowledge, Understanding and Wisdom?
Our curriculum follows the Biblical pattern of education which is knowledge, understanding and wisdom. These three time tested and proven themes provide the framework to ensure that students not only learn subjects, but also learn how to effectively use their knowledge later in life as adults.  For, unfortunately, one of the real tragedies of education today is our success in acquiring “book knowledge” but our utter failure at teaching the critical thinking, reasoning and communication skills needed to succeed in any endeavor.  Simply put, this “classical” framework provides direction for instruction at each stage of a student’s development (elementary, middle and high school).

Knowledge
During the elementary years, children’s minds are like sponges.  They love acquiring facts, facts and more facts.  Their minds have the capacity for memorization and for mastering information on a variety of subjects.  We recognize this and use it to the child’s advantage in the classroom as they master the basic building blocks of knowledge in each subject.  At Mt. Bethel Christian Academy we also teach Latin during this stage.  Why Latin?  Principally because it is the basis for at least 50% of the English language!  Latin is also primarily a language of memorization, so it is easily taught during the elementary years.  Other schools analyzed have demonstrated that students with an early foundation in Latin display a dramatically increased vocabulary in middle and high school years.  In fact, independent studies have shown a significant increase in SAT scores in students who have been taught Latin.  And most importantly, the use of effective and colorful speech, the result of an expanded vocabulary,  gives students an advantage in the workplace, as well as the classroom.
     
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”
Proverbs 25:11

Understanding
During the middle school years a student’s capacity for developing critical thinking skills begins to emerge.  This is the stage when learning the facts is not enough.  Questioning and challenging ideas are commonplace.  Students begin to question teachers; they like to catch their parents in a “mistake”; they begin to reason.  It is now when the training and teaching of critical thinking and reasoning skills must occur, in addition to teaching the traditional subjects.  Thus, at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy we will teach formal Logic in the middle school.  Simply put, the teaching of formal Logic helps students learn how to argue correctly, such as avoiding the use of fallacies in their own arguments and detecting the use of fallacies in another’s arguments.  Teaching Logic helps students develop those critical thinking and reasoning skills so desperately needed to succeed in today’s world.

Unfortunately, the teaching of formal Logic very rarely occurs in other schools.  The result is students who know a lot about different “subjects,” but do not have the training or background to defend and argue their beliefs successfully.

At Mt. Bethel Christian Academy we believe the teaching of Logic during the middle school years will help produce students who not only “know” their subjects, but also develop the thinking and reasoning skills needed to use their knowledge successfully once they enter society as adults.

Wisdom
The final stage of Mt. Bethel Christian Academy’s educational philosophy occurs during the teen years when students begin to develop their own ideas and opinions about life.  During this stage at Mt. Bethel Christian Academy we will work to develop the oral and written rhetorical skills needed to communicate ideas and opinions with clarity and persuasion.  Successful communication (both oral and written) is a key to success in life.  The training of students in rhetorical skills will only enhance their ability to communicate articulately, clearly and persuasively. 

We will also teach Christian Apologetics to all students to give them a grounding in the understanding and defense of the Christian faith.  In today’s very difficult world where the Christian faith is often diluted and muted, we need to help students develop the wisdom needed to boldly defend and articulate their faith whenever needed.

Summary
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy is all about delivering a truly Christ-centered education to students where excellence in academics is pursued and a lifelong love and desire for learning is developed.  Our ultimate goal is for students to become successful, contributing members of society and, as Christians, be salt and light in a world in need of our savior Jesus Christ.