Gidgitte Dougherty

GENERAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

Because we believe God’s Word is the primary source of truth and meaning, Christian Unified Schools of San Diego (CUSSD) seeks to operate based on Biblical principles. From God’s Word, perspective from the past, context for the present, and direction for the future is established.

Christian Unified Schools of San Diego believes that Jesus Christ is the Truth (John 14:6) and in Him as revealed in God’s Word, lives can be sanctified (John 17:17) and set apart to glorify God (I Corinthians 6:20). In accordance with the Articles of Faith and Practice, CUSSD seeks to integrate faith with life and learning from a Biblical point of view by providing a coherent academic foundation within a consistent method of thinking, which includes the concepts that all people are:

• Made in the image of God – physical and spiritual beings: creative, independent, thinking, and capable of having a relationship with God and others
• Fallen and sinful
• Redeemable – saved by Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection 
• Valuable – unique, having purpose and free will, able to pursue interests and love
• Flesh and blood – who possess physical, emotional, spiritual, intellectual, and social strengths and weaknesses

Our goal is to train students in the arts and sciences and to nurture them in the faith of Christ so that they are challenged to think well and live well and do both for the glory of God and in service to others. The Mission, Vision, Core Values, and Expected School-wide Learning Objectives reflect this philosophy.

ADMINISTRATION PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The administration is responsible for upholding the philosophy and foundational statements, provide a carefully developed curriculum, professionally support and serve the teachers, and work to ensure a God-honoring school where like-minded parents can expect their student to receive a quality Christian college preparatory, liberal arts education.

TEACHER PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The teachers are instruments of God in the redeeming and shaping process. As detailed in the Staff Code of Ethics, they model Christian behavior and strive to instill knowledge and the tools of learning in the student. The teachers are vital to the establishment of the spiritual and professional quality of the school. They are to be called by God to teach, train, discipline, and serve. They are to have a clear Christian testimony, be growing in their Christian faith, and be life-long learners. They are to model, integrate, and include a Biblical worldview and Great Commission perspective in lessons, activities, and assessments. They are to be professionally prepared and appropriately qualified.

They are charged to:

• Support the school’s philosophy, foundational statements, and school-wide policies
• Maintain professional conduct
• Possess and utilize effective classroom management skills
• Use developmentally appropriate, sufficiently challenging instructional strategies
• Be well-prepared for class
• Communicate clearly and effectively
• Assess learning accurately
• Reflect and improve continually
• Demonstrate God’s character instructionally and relationally

CURRICULUM PHILOSOPHY STATEMENTS

General Curricular Statement:

The curriculum is designed to produce rational, reasoning, and responsible Christian citizens with a Biblical worldview as the foundations for thinking, doing, and being. With knowledge that God is the Giver of all Wisdom, Christian Unified Schools of San Diego seeks to:

• Incorporate a Biblical worldview into each unit, grade, class, and program in a purposeful, intentional, and pro-active manner
• Instill the Tools of Learning incrementally by building on concepts one step at a time in ascending order
• Articulate, integrate, and align the content into the various disciplines and within each level
• Provide a balance of quality academic, arts, athletic, leadership, and service opportunities
• Meet educational needs so that the students will:

• • Have firm convictions based on a foundation of Biblical truth, sound thinking, and practical purpose
  • Be prepared to further their education
  • Become skilled, life-long, self-directed learners who have a body of knowledge and skills
  • Be able to develop facts into logical arguments to solve problems
  • Be able to convey their critical thinking ability clearly, eloquently, and persuasively
  • Live well in two kingdoms simultaneously
  • Contribute to and influence the culture in which they live as salt and light
  • Lead with integrity
  • Serve with love

The Curriculum is rigorously developed, thoroughly documented, well-executed, and Biblically integrated. It is structured to provide interrelated disciplines. It incorporates the general philosophy, school-wide learning results, measurable objectives, instructional strategies, adequate resources, and appropriate assessments throughout. It is driven by policies and procedures. It includes a Biblical worldview and a Great Commission perspective.

The Methodology uses researched, best practices to incorporate knowledge with application through differentiated instruction aligned to cognitive development. It provides a dynamic, rich, creative learning environment. It incorporates high-yield instructional strategies, technology, and activities to promote wisdom and understanding, essential skills and content knowledge, and critical and higher level thinking ability.

The Goal is to provide for the educational needs of individual students while motivating them to attain to the best of their God-given ability within the framework of character development. We seek to prepare students to live life from a Biblical worldview with strong moral and spiritual values. We hope to see students who continue learning, leading, and serving with integrity and purpose. We desire that students glorify God by loving God and others with their whole hearts, minds, and souls.

PARENTAL PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The parents and the church are the institutions charged with the education of children. Therefore, the parents are ultimately responsible for the physical, emotional, spiritual, mental, and social development of their child. The parents, by entrusting their students to the school, understand and support the philosophy, foundational statements, and school-wide policies. They strive to reinforce the school’s values as ascribed in the Parental Agreement. They participate in activities, and they provide for the success of their student.

STUDENT PHILOSOPHY STATEMENT

The students are uniquely created in the image of God and in need of discipleship to use their talents to full potential as they grow in grace, knowledge, and wisdom of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (II Peter 3:18). Students are to be prepared, principled, and creative life-long learners and well-educated, purposeful, Godly leaders and servants. They are to submit to the authority structure set in place by God not only while students but also as adults. They are to abide by the school-wide standards as outlined in the Student Agreement and handbook and strive to attain the Expected School-Wide Learning Results by becoming:

Influential Christians who:

• Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as personal Savior.
• Apply Biblical principles as the foundation for moral and spiritual living.
• Develop and maintain an informed Biblical worldview that shapes their lifestyle choices.
• Demonstrate God’s love through acts of service and sharing the gospel.

Investigative Learners who:

• Master a body of knowledge, vocabulary, and skills.
• Understand, analyze, and order relationships among facts.
• Assess their needs and apply appropriate strategies to learn concepts and skills.
• Actively use the tools of learning throughout their lifetime.

Perceptive Thinkers who:

• Identify, analyze, discriminate, prioritize, and apply information.
• Have the ability to solve problems by thinking independently and logically.
• Make responsible and well-reasoned decisions.
• Actively seek and apply absolute truths.

Effective Communicators who:

• Demonstrate the ability to accurately understand, interpret, and exchange information.
• Communicate with eloquence, creativity, and persuasion in writing and in speech.
• Develop and utilize artistic expression.
• Proclaim and defend the gospel with wisdom, wit, and respect.

Quality Producers who:

• Demonstrate a growing knowledge of curriculum.
• Develop their God-given talents and abilities.
• Display standards of excellence in all pursuits.
• Work well with others toward a common goal.

Responsible Citizens who:

• Respect and submit to authority.
• Actively protect and promote freedom and democracy.
• Enjoy God’s creation and live as good stewards within it.
• Recognize and contribute to meeting the needs of others.