Mission Statement

Briarwood Christian School provides excellence in education in a Christ-centered environment through impact-oriented leadership that will challenge and inspire the whole student, equipping each student to glorify God by responsible action in contemporary society.

Distinctives

Every school is defined and known by distinctive hallmarks or distinguishing qualities. The prominent compelling trait of a Christian School that successfully impacts students is a divinely empowered school climate where students are spiritually and intellectually equipped to serve Christ. An effective and God honoring climate is:

• Rooted in the Word of God,
• Centered on the preeminence of Christ,
• Reflective of Christ's teaching and character,
• Dependent on the Spirit of God,
• Permeated with prayer, and
• Loving, an environment where people are valued because they are created in God's image.
• Excellent, an environment permeated with a passionate pursuit of excellence for God's glory.

God is the Author of Truth and the Creator of life, and He must be honored and glorified by the distinctives of a Christian school. Prayerful, intentional focus on these seven distinctives will yield meaningful fruit for Briarwood Christian School and for those served by the School.

"But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." Matthew 6:33.

Philosophy

Believing that all truth is a manifestation of God's sovereignty in creation, we desire to establish a school which in its ultimate purpose glorifies and reveals God. Man, made in the image of God, is responsible to God in all things; therefore, his education must enable him to understand and use the created universe and to live by the precepts which He has established for Godly living. Knowing that man has chosen to glorify himself and worship his own works rather than worship and glorify God, we understand that our students have a nature which hinders them from achieving the objectives which we have named. However, knowing that the Lord, Himself, has provided a way for these children to reach their full potential through His payment for sin on the cross, we realize that each child here has a unique and valuable place in the plan of God and must be highly esteemed and respected.

It is, therefore, important that our ministry to the student be well-rounded; introducing him to the redeeming work of Christ, helping him to appreciate himself and his fellow man, and enabling him to take his proper position in creation as one who bears the image of God and exercises dominion over created reality.

Our basic philosophy could be succinctly stated by Romans 11:36, For of Him and through Him, and to Him are all things; to whom be glory forever.

I. AUTHORITY

A. Briarwood Christian School is based on the foundation of the Bible as the inspired, infallible Word of God. We accept it as the final authority in giving us direction for every area of life. Therefore, it is the basis for our philosophy.

B. We believe that the parents have the basic responsibility and authority for the education of their children. Consequently, we will work with and through the parents and will not undermine their authority. For this reason, we must insist on having the cooperation and participation of all parents as long as their children are enrolled. (1)

C. We believe students should be taught a proper attitude toward their government. They must learn not to look at the government as the answer to all of life's problems; that government is ordained by God and should, therefore, be obeyed and respected; that government officials and law enforcement officers are "ministers of God" and their positions should be respected regardless of their personal shortcomings; that the only proper defense against injustice is through the democratic process in the courts and legislative system. We will have a strong emphasis on patriotism. We will teach our children that America, in spite of all its problems, is still "one nation, under God" and God has made it the greatest nation in the history of mankind. (2)

D. We believe the Bible clearly supports the free enterprise system and it shall be taught in our School. Our children should learn that God expects them to be good stewards of their time, talents and treasures; and that those who do so will be rewarded with profits; and that those who refuse to work, should not eat. (3)

E. We believe the Bible teaches the use of corporal punishment in the discipline of young people. We instruct our staff to use the paddle whenever necessary, but always in love and with another adult as a witness. For more serious offenses, we will resort to conferences with parents, suspension, and finally expulsion. We cannot keep students whose attitude and behavior hinder the education of other students. The most important aspect of discipline is that it be firm, fair, consistent, and always administered in love. (4)

II. EDUCATION

In Luke 2:52, we read that as a young man, Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man. We believe this gives us the ideal balance of what should be included in a child's development. Consequently we stress education in each of these four areas of development: academic, physical, spiritual, and social.

A. Academic
1. We provide a college preparatory education.

2. The key to quality academic instruction is the teaching staff. Teachers of academic subjects should be college graduates and should be certified by the State of Alabama. We want to have the most highly qualified teachers available in each area of instruction. Secondly, but equally important, each teacher must have a clear Christian testimony, both in word and deed.

3. We will accept students with different degrees of intelligence, and will provide individualized instruction, as we can, for those students needing special attention in certain subjects.

4. Although the size of the class is not as important as the quality of the teacher, we believe that a small class size is desirable.

5. In addition to college preparatory curriculum offered in public schools, we will offer Bible as a required course. We will also have strong emphasis on instruction in patriotism, respect for authority, and the free enterprise system.

6. Every course will be taught from the Christian perspective in order to teach the students that God plays a role in every area of our lives.

B. Physical
1. We believe that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and thus we will teach our children how to take proper care of the bodies the Lord has given them. This should involve instruction in proper eating habits, rest and exercise. (5)

2. We want to have a strong intramural program for both boys and girls.

3. The purpose of competitive sports is to teach teamwork, dedication, discipline, sportsmanship, and to provide a fun activity for both players and spectators. A good intramural program (especially in football and basketball) helps overall school spirit.

4. At the Elementary level, emphasis will be on having fun, good sportsmanship, teamwork, participation of all regardless of ability, and teaching basics of the sport. There will be a low emphasis on competition. As students enter Junior High and High School, more emphasis will be placed on dedication, discipline, and competition. At all levels we will strive to reward effort and dedication more than ability.

5. We plan to have an athletic program strong enough to satisfy students with outstanding athletic ability and one that will enable them to compete for athletic scholarships to the major universities in the Southeast.

C. Spiritual
1. We believe that the single most important thing a child must learn is to have the proper relationship with God (this is the first and greatest Commandment). (6) Everything we do at our School is done with this basic foundation.

2. We believe the Bible is the inspired, infallible Word of God. We will stand firm on the doctrines that are clear in the Scriptures as put forth in the Westminster Confession of Faith. We will give unbiased instruction in those areas of Christian doctrine on which evangelical, fundamental Christians disagree so that our students will have knowledge of both sides of these issues. Although our basic stance is of the "Reformed" position, we will not take a dogmatic stand on such things as mode of baptism, eschatological issues and the special gifts.

3. Although our basic function is to provide instruction in the Christian doctrine and Christian living, we believe the most healthy spiritual growth comes from a program involving output as well as intake. Consequently, we will promote and support programs that will involve students in some type of Christian outreach, such as personal evangelism, group evangelism, leading Bible studies, prayer groups, neighborhood Bible clubs, summer Christian camp programs, etc.

D. Social
1. The second most important thing a child must learn is his proper relationship with other people (the second great Commandment). (7) In a world of degenerating social values where peer pressure is so strong an influence toward evil, we feel that our School should provide an atmosphere for social development with a Christian foundation.

2. At the Elementary level, we will have a limited number of social events during the year, such as class parties at Christmas, Easter, and at the end of the School year.

3. At the Junior High and High School level, we should provide a meeting place for students to meet on an informal basis. In addition, we will have several planned social functions during the school year. These functions should be basically for fun and any spiritual emphasis should be spontaneous from the students - not the staff.

4. All social functions shall be properly chaperoned by staff and/or parents.

Biblical References:

(1) Deuteronomy 6; Ephesians 6:4
(2) Luke 20:25; I Timothy 2:1-2
(3) 2 Thessalonians 3:10
(4) Proverbs 22:15; Revelation 3:19; Hebrews 12:6
(5) I Corinthians 3:17
(6) Matthew 22:38
(7) Matthew 22:39