Why CESA?

CESA’s strategic markers, the value propositions that distinguish it from other Christian school organizations and bring value to member schools specifically and Christian education generally, are three in number.

Edifying the Christian School Head

CESA has a bias toward leadership, and operates from a fundamental belief that the best way to grow capacity in schools is to invest in the head. Through membership in CESA: Local school heads gain access to a network of leaders with a track record of superior leadership. Challenged by robust conversation on matters common to mature schools, CESA acts as an accelerator to the careers of heads of school and the missions and successes of their schools. The Christian collegiality of CESA school heads is unparalleled. Trust, encouragement, and accountability lift the professional experience of CESA heads to new heights.

Edifying the Local Christian School

Expanding beyond the healthy and well-equipped head of school and senior leadership, CESA helps build healthy schools through: The CESA standards provide a qualitative stretch for all heads seeking in good faith to grow their schools and to take them to “the next level”. CESA schools exclusively benchmark against each other to provide an unprecedented basis for comparison and drive for greatness, providing rich, relevant data for school decision-making. CESA schools maximize their potential through the demonstration of CESA standards, enjoying a rich network of accountability to constantly become better than they once were.

Edifying the Christian School Movement

While Christian schools are all too often perceived through the lens of mediocrity, CESA seeks to shatter that lens through the following: A council of schools with a mindset and track record of excellence will transform less-than-stellar perceptions of Christian schooling to one that is superlative. Membership in CESA increases and strengthens the dense network of credible and influential Christian schooling. Membership in CESA exposes member schools and heads to other members who are part of rich networks of other, highly reputable educational organizations, and those who are impacting centers of power and influence for God’s glory. 

Core Values

CESA’s primary purpose is to grow strong Christian schools by growing leaders within those schools. It serves Christian schools and Christian organizations through leadership services, academic enrichment, programmatic development, professional development, and by providing fellowship and collegiality to leaders within Christian schools. CESA accomplishes this purpose through the promotion of four core values:

Cohesive Christian Identity

  • CESA affirms the Nicene Creed as its statement of faith with expectation that all member schools ascribe to its tenets.
  • CESA seeks to advance Christ’s Kingdom through its educational outcomes.
  • CESA is committed to institutions whose programs reflect intentionality to program, policy, and culture that reflects Biblical ideology and Christian thought.
  • CESA affirms the Lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture.
  • CESA is committed to ecumenical Christianity as differing perspectives and histories can enable institutional growth and improvement.

Pedagogical Sanctification

  • CESA affirms that learning is a deeply sacred process.
  • CESA affirms institutions and programs that require appropriate challenge for all students.
  • CESA affirms that a sense of striving in all academic areas enables a deeper knowledge of the Holy and preparation for a life of human flourishing.

Fraternal Accountability

  • CESA adheres to objective standards agreed upon by the Council meant to foster institutional improvement.
  • CESA schools agree that the spirit of humility accompanies accountability in striving for school-wide excellence, as reflected in the standards and school best practices.
  • CESA promotes a culture and ethos built upon a foundation of accountability within the CESA community and the body of Christ.

Purposeful Community

  • CESA is committed to building and equipping leaders through collegiality and relationships of like-minded school leaders.
  • CESA promotes a commitment to thoughtful and engaged dialogue centered on philosophies, research, and experiences that promote institutional improvement.
  • CESA is committed to facilitating opportunities for like-minded leaders to gather for the purpose of personal and institutional growth.
  • CESA is committed to focused engagement between member schools for the purpose of mutual institutional growth and for the greater good of Christian schooling.