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Christian schools, educating in both general curricula and biblical training, have grown in number and influence over the last 50 years. What motivates churches to enter the academic environment? Some want to provide Christian-based schooling for their children. Others want to counter the moral and ethical decline prevalent in public school systems. Still others see their Christian school as a service to the community or as an evangelistic ministry.

Look Before You Leap
Despite such admirable goals, churches sometimes jump into the school business without realizing the costs of a quality education. It's tempting to think that a church facility used primarily on weekends can serve as a school during the week without much expense. But it's not that easy.

"Improper planning has probably contributed to more mistakes in the provision of physical facilities than any other factor," say Deuink and Herbster in Effective Christian School Management. Unless you build a separate facility for a Christian school, you'll be using the same rooms used for church programs on Sundays and Wednesdays. With proper planning, though, it's possible to use your church space to provide high-quality Christian education.

Setting the Foundation
Four questions to answer before planning a Christian school:

1. Does your church support the idea? How do your Sunday school teachers, musicians, program leaders, and others who will share space and equipment with the school feel about it?

2. Is your church willing to make the necessary financial commitment to start and maintain a school?

3. Will your facility meet the space requirements for a school? National standards recommend at least 25 square feet per student for academic space. Indoor recreation, music activities, science and computer laboratories, and auditoriums require additional room. Also plan for nonacademic space (cafeteria, restrooms, and offices).

4. Will your facility meet state and local guidelines? Many codes lump all academic institutions (including churches) into one category. Sometimes these codes do not include church schools, but the courts do. Attorneys often recommend that church schools provide for safety, space, and personal accommodations, even if they appear to be exempt from certain guidelines.

How Much Will It Cost?
Initial expenses depend on present church facilities, equipment and furnishings, and how many students are expected to attend.

Example: Your church wants to start a school with 100 students, kindergarten through sixth grade. You'll need seven rooms, each at least 375 square feet (15' x 25') to meet the national standard of 25 square feet per student. You'll also need space for offices, a media center or library, a cafeteria, and recreation. If adding junior- or senior-high students is a possibility, you'll need to plan additional space for laboratories, trade skills, and music rooms.

Furnishings and Equipment
Classrooms must be equipped with furnishings appropriate to the students' age and height. For instance, a kindergartener uses a chair with a 9.8" seat height and a 13.5" table height. A third grader needs a chair with a 14" seat height and a 18.6" high table. A sixth grader requires a chair near adult height (18.8") and a 29.6" high table. Suggestion: A wise purchase includes tables with adjustable legs to accommodate multiple heights. Chairs, however, must be age and height specific.

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