A.A. Baker constructs his work The Successful Christian School on four major ideas: foundational purpose, curricular program, prioritization of personnel, and management of finances. Grounded in the biblical philosophy that when God wants something to be done and it is done in the way He demonstrates, it will be a success, Baker’s suggestions lead Christian school stakeholders to consider carefully the proven methods used by Pensacola Christian Academy since its founding in 1954.Baker leads readers to an understanding of his major concepts with simplicity and abundant anecdotal evidence. The foundational purpose for a Christian school is obedience to and glorification of God Almighty. Baker reminds readers in chapter 1, “The only reason that you should start a Christian school is because [sic] it is God’s will that you do so” (16). Using Colossians 3:23 as support, he urges readers to work “heartily as unto the Lord” (14). In chapters 3, 4, and 13, Baker uses stories from Pensacola Christian Academy and other schools that use ABeka Book publications to urge school founders to place high importance on the curricular program of the school through high expectations of student deportment and scholarship and careful evaluation of textbooks. With a cogent reminder from Dr. F.D. Huntington (98), Baker uses chapters 9 and 10 to give treatment to the selection of school leadership and teachers. The author rounds out his guide with practical advice from his experiences at Pensacola Christian Academy regarding careful use of finances to start, promote, and expand a Christian school.
The foundational purpose of the effective Christian school is that it is being run as an act of obedience to God. Baker successfully reasons that starting a Christian school is pointless if God does not want the school to be started. If God wants the school to open and thrive, it will do so. Chapters 1 through 5 list very helpful warnings, “pitfalls” (17-20), and recommendations, “cornerstones” (23-61). One of the more interesting warnings Baker gives is to avoid allowing only Christian students to attend the school. He wisely reasons that this pitfall will weaken the school financially and ultimately fail to strengthen the school spiritually (17-18). The most compelling recommendation that Baker advances is the importance of a solidly Christian philosophy of education: “We are not in business to train students for the world. We are business to train them for the Lord” (32). Individuals starting a Christian school would do well to heed Baker’s voice of experience in these and other warnings and recommendations.
Baker’s next main point is the importance of the curricular program of the school. Curricular program includes all the student experiences that make up education. Baker is careful to stress the importance of high expectation of moral behavior from students, a rigorous academic program, and excellent textbooks and teaching materials. Baker believes that one of the most important keys to success is the expectation of moral behavior: “…high standards will be one of the keys to the success of your Christian school ministry” (57). Regarding scholarship and academic rigor, he makes a valid point that the burden of producing excellent results or shutting its doors rests on the Christian school, not the public school (52). Baker suggests careful selection of textbooks to meet the unique needs of the Christian school classroom. In the end, the only real textbook and teacher material solution that Baker provides is that teachers “teach the A Beka Book day-by-day teaching curriculums” (127). While he mentions in passing the existence of other Christian publishers, Baker still writes chapter 13 as a promotional essay for his publisher. Although his conclusions are valid, his means could be perceived as self-serving.
Baker’s third major point is the importance of quality personnel. He makes a valid point regarding the importance of biblical leadership and makes a solid case for the pastor of the supporting local church to serve as the principal or administrator for at least the first year (95-96). He also wisely advises that teachers be born-again believers who love teaching children and have a passion for Christian education (101).
The final major area treated by Baker is the area of finances. With several tips and pointers to help those getting started balance income and expenses, Baker gives the strongest advice in his book. His counsel regarding tuition and past-due accounts is especially helpful. He reminds readers that parents paying tuition are often doing so sacrificially. This reminder serves to encourage Christian educators to walk worthy of their calling. He warns against a lazy reluctance to collect what is owed to the school: “if you don’t operate on principle and collect your accounts you may lose your school” (160).
The simplicity yet profundity of the ideas presented in Baker’s book are refreshing and rebuking. His reminder that God will pay for what He orders is an encouragement to every administrator who feels the daily burden of managing the precious children that God has placed under his care. His display of the success of Pensacola Christian Academy is an encouragement because it is a reminder that if God is doing great things in Pensacola, Florida, He can do great things in any town! Finally, his reminder about the sacrificial investment of parents into their children’s education should be a constant reminder for teachers and administrators to make their classrooms, their policies, and their daily instruction worthy of the trust placed in them.
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Baker, A.A. The Successful Christian School: Foundational Principles for Starting and Operating a Successful Christian School. Pensacola, Florida: A Beka Book, 2013.
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