MPCS Eli in Class: Eli Cottingham, a third-grader at Mount Paran Christian School, loves that the school offers a variety of activities and social and academic clubs to enrich his school experience.
PREPARING SERVANT-LEADERS IS AT THE CORE OF
MOUNT PARAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOL
A
t Mount Paran Christian School, the mission to unite with home and church to prepare servant leaders to honor God, love others, and walk in Truth is carried out through exemplary instruction for the school’s 1,190 students in grades pre-K3 through 12. Preparing servant-leaders in the classroom, on the ball field, on the stage, and for our community is achieved through four core values. MPCS is Christ-Centered, Learning Focused, Community Oriented, and Pursuers of Excellence. Four families share what being a part of the Mount Paran Christian School community means to their children, through the lens of the school’s core values. MPCS Scarlett Hugs: MPCS pre-K4 student Scarlett Murton, pictured with friends, third from left, says “loving others and being a good friend to everyone around me” is an important part of her day at preschool.
Community Oriented The Murton Family, Preschool Luke and Ashley Murton, Scarlett (pre-K4) and Natalee (third grade)
OTM: How does MPCS incorporate the core value of “Community Oriented” into the day-to-day? Ashley: MPCS always has events happening to encourage community within the school. This includes sports games, theatre productions, holiday events, chapel, etc. However, my favorite event is once a year - “Family Serve Day.” Every student signs up with their family to serve their community.
that the school our children attend, as well as the faculty and staff that have a huge impact on their lives, have the same values and ideals as our family. We also wanted them to be surrounded by administrators, teachers, and coaches that would point them to Christ on a daily basis. OTM: VJ, what do you love about attending MPCS? VJ: The people! I know my teachers and coaches care about me and want what is best for me, both now and for my future. I enjoy learning. The teachers and hands-on projects make the classes fun. Of course, I also like spending time with my friends and playing many sports with my teammates. OTM: What do you think it means to be “Pursuers of Excellence”? VJ: Working hard to be your best self by challenging yourself academically, athletically, and spiritually. It seems like every staff member, teacher, [or] coach knows every student, and they all have a genuine personal interest in our success.
Christ-Centered - The Carisma Family, High School Jimmy and Dianette Carisma, Gabriana (eleventh grade) and Adam (ninth grade)
OTM: What do you think makes MPCS different or special? Scarlett: My teachers talk to me about Jesus! I love seeing my teachers and playing with my friends. I really like going to chapel and eating lunch with my class. Enrichment is also really fun!
Learning Focused - The Metzger-Cottingham Family, Lower School Makia Metzger and Britt Cottingham, Eli (third grade) and Will (eighth grade)
MPCS VJ Ray (Photo credit TCPics): MPCS middle school basketball standout VJ Ray’s family says that “the broad athletics program at MPCS has allowed [VJ and his sister] many chances to develop both their capacity to work as a team and individual abilities, including accountability, how to deal with adversity, and competitiveness.”
OTM: How does MPCS incorporate the core value of “Learning Focused” into the dayto-day experience? Britt: As an educator, I was able to see how MPCS made strong academics a daily focus for my children in terms of approaching each child as an individual, to better address their strengths and weaknesses. OTM: Eli, what makes you excited to go to school? Eli: l’m eager to learn, and it’s a good way to connect with my friends. I like math because it is important, and I think God gave me the ability to do it well. I love going to school because the teachers are nice and teach in a fun way. Also, the schedule is balanced with fun and learning.
OTM: What do you think it means to be “Christ-Centered”? GC: Christ-Centered means that all the aspects of my school day were chosen and planned thoughtfully to glorify Christ. This idea is evident every day at MPCS, whether it be a history class, my visual arts class, or the way a teacher talks to their students. Everything is viewed with Christ at the center. OTM: What do you think makes MPCS different or special? GC: I am not just another student. The faculty truly cares for each and every one of us. It’s evident in their speech, in their availability to help after class, and when we pray for one another before class. It’s absolutely wonderful to feel loved.
Pursuers of Excellence - The Ray Family, Middle School Vince and Shelley Ray, VJ (eighth grade) and Landry (fifth grade)
MPCS Gabriana, World Vision Ignite, with sponsor child: Gabriana Carisma, a junior at MPCS, feels it is “a blessing” to attend the school, where she is participating in the Ignite leadership development partnership between MPCS and World Vision, working with students in Rwanda.
OTM: Why did you choose MPCS? Shelley: With classes and extracurricular activities, kids spend more time at school than they do at home, so we felt that it was important
Our Town
OTM: Why did you choose MPCS? Dianette: Mount Paran Christian School exemplifies everything that we value and is important to us for our children’s education. We researched and visited many schools, yet we kept coming back to Mount Paran because of the profound peace and comfort we felt. It’s evident that our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is truly at the core of why the school exists.
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