Educational Philosophy

SFC

O U R E D U C AT I O N A L P H I LO S O P H Y

From the Chief Academic Officer

Each school has its own story, and ours is firmly rooted in our faith in Jesus, our guiding principles, and our dedication to staying true to our mission. Every decision we make is wrapped in prayer and carefully considered. We understand the importance of documenting the essence of who we are, so we remain faithful to our values, even as the world around us changes.

At the heart of our philosophy is the belief that parents are the primary educators of their children, a conviction drawn from Deuteronomy 6. We see ourselves as a school that exists to serve families, coming alongside parents in their Godgiven role. There are three types of authority in life—church, government, and family. SFC is not a church school or a government school. With over 80 different churches in our community, we embrace our identity as a family school– which means working closely with Christian parents, being transparent in what we do, and sharing our plans openly. We want parents to trust us and know that we are here to support them in preparing their children to grow into strong, capable adults.

By clearly expressing our values and purpose, we ensure that we are walking alongside families, fully committed to raising the Christian leaders of tomorrow– together.

In Christ,

Hannah Park Chief Academic Officer

SFC Educational Philosophy

OVERVIEW AT SANTA FE CHRISTIAN, our mission,

MISSION

convictions, and values are not just words on paper—they are the heart of everything we do and guide the way we shape our students’ learning experiences.

C O N V I C T I ONS

This alignment is thoughtfully integrated into our Student Learning Objectives. These objectives reflect our desire to provide not just academic excellence but also spiritual growth

VA LU E S

for every student. We have taken the guiding principles and blended them with what we hope for our students, ensuring that their education at SFC is well-rounded and rooted in truth.

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Additionally, there are a series of more complex position statements, or Apologias, on key theological and philosophical topics.

A P O LO GIAS

Some of these papers include Science and Faith, Politics and Faith, GRA2CE, and Biblical Hermeneutics, with many more in the works.

These position statements are vital to the

S TAGE S O F D E V ELO P M E NT

continued development of our curriculum, ensuring that every aspect of our academic program is consistent.

I N S T RU C TIO N

MISSION THE MISSION OF Santa Fe Christian Schools is to partner with Christian parents within a Bible-based community, in order to disciple students to embrace biblical truth, strive for academic excellence, and model Christlike leadership to influence their homes, churches, and communities for Christ.

FOR AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF EACH DOCUMENT, GO TO SFCS.NET/OUR–MISSION

CONVICTIONS THE STATEMENT OF FAITH and the Declaration of Moral and Ethical Integrity are foundational documents that affirm the beliefs and standards guiding Santa Fe Christian Schools. These documents together serve not only as a statement of what we believe but as a guide and commitment to how we live and educate our students. Each year, our faculty and staff reaffirm these convictions to ensure that our mission remains clear and that our community is consistently anchored in the truth of God’s Word.

VALUES THE SANTA FE WAY is deeply rooted in our mission statement and five core values: Worship, Scholarship, Mentorship, Companionship, and Stewardship.

Worship is the cornerstone that supports the other four, and together these values reflect our love for Christ. Known as The Santa Fe

Way, these five principles define the school’s identity and guide our daily practices.

• Worship emanates as our core “why.”

• Scholarship is necessary to prepare students for the future.

• Mentorship is how we deliver content.

It is an authentic relationship with each student.

• Companionship is genuinely caring for others, pointing them to the love of a saving Christ.

• Stewardship is the responsible care of all our resources resulting in a culture of excellence.

These values are the core of our school. In order to preserve and pass on these core values, we created a 74-page prayer journal titled, The Santa Fe Way, The Guiding Values

of Santa Fe Christian Schools, 30 Days of Prayers and Devotions. This intentional focus provides a clear picture of both who we are and a reflection of who we have been for nearly 50 years.

STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES THE STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES

SFC STUDENT LEARNING OBJECTIVES SFC students aim to embody the Living Truth in Christ by becoming:

DISCERNING THINKERS: s eeking God’s Truth in all things.

INTENTIONAL LEADERS: s erving with genuine care.

By deepening their understanding of

leading by example, students serve

represent qualities that we desire every

the world, students learn to distinguish

student to develop throughout their

biblical truths from relative truths in all

educational journey. While studying each

facets of their lives.

unique subject, they develop skills to embody the Living Truth in Christ.

APOLOGIAS AN ADDITIONAL LAYER in our educational framework is the development of apologias, or position papers, that address special topics

RESILIENT RISK-TAKERS: deepening dependence on God. Students take measured risks and embrace productive struggles while experiencing age-appropriate successes and setbacks.

guiding our approach to various subjects.

For example, our literature apologia outlines not merely on theme, but on suitability for

PURPOSEFUL CONTRIBUTORS: pursuing what is true, good, and beautiful.

deep study. It ensures what students read in

As innovative creators, students

the classroom aligns with our educational

explore new ideas a nd develop skills

purpose, emphasizing critical analysis over

that add value to others.

the criteria for selecting books, focusing

entertainment.

Embracing the mentorship model of within their sphere of influence to impact their communities for Christ.

GRACIOUS COMMUNICATORS: articulating with compassion and clarity.

Students listen with an empathetic ear, challenge graciously, a nd speak the truth with kindness.

RESPONSIBLE CARETAKERS: stewarding with wisdom and integrity.

Students address meaningful challenges to become impactful helpers without seeking personal acclaim.

We currently have apologias for the following topics: • Literature • Biblical Hermeneutics • Science & Faith • GRA2CE • Politics & Faith The following apologias are under review: • Arts • History & Social Sciences • Innovation • Math • World Languages • Athletics & PE In the years ahead, we plan to expand our collection of apologias, continuing to develop resources that offer a clear and thoughtful framework for addressing important topics in our curriculum.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT THROUGHOUT THE K-12 educational journey, we emphasize three key targets for our students: building strong fundamentals, fostering curiosity and exploration, and helping to become skilled and prepared for the future. While these goals are important at every stage of life, we focus more intently on each one at different points in a child’s schooling.

SFC’S STUDENT STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT K – 2ND

3RD – 5TH

6TH – 8TH

9TH – 12TH

MIDDLE SCHOOL (GRADES 6–8) Students experience a shift towards more abstract thinking as they begin to engage with concepts that require hypothetical reasoning and critical analysis. SFC provides students with various electives from which to choose, allowing them to expand their interests and try new things. Students might select courses in robotics, drama, art, or other disciplines, allowing them to explore new passions.

In every class, students are encouraged to question and learn how to find answers,

Developing Fundamentals

Encouraging Exploration

Becoming Skilled & Prepared

fostering a more profound sense of curiosity and ownership over their learning.

INSTRUCTION Whether students are learning the basics in elementary grades or refining critical

historical figures, events, and varied cultures

HIGH SCHOOL (GRADES 9–12)

that shaped our world while building early

The focus shifts to preparing students for

literacy skills.

college and adulthood, both academically

thinking skills in high school, SFC is

ELEMENTARY (GRADES 3–5)

committed to intentionally preparing your

Students solidify foundational skills and

child for the challenges of the future.

increase their ability to take risks in their learning. At this stage, students strengthen

ELEMENTARY (GRADES K–2)

their reading comprehension, writing, and

Students begin by developing basic academic

math abilities and engage in activities that

foundational skills in reading, writing, and

encourage critical thinking and problem-

number sense. In kindergarten through

solving. For instance, they might investigate

second grade, students learn through

more complex scientific principles or work

hands-on activities and symbolic thinking

through collaborative historical projects

to introduce abstract concepts in engaging

that require them to think about cause-and-

and age-appropriate ways. Additionally,

effect relationships. These years are also

students explore God’s world through science

marked by age-appropriate successes and

experiments, music, art, and to learn about

setbacks, where students learn from their

the wonder of their bodies as they develop

achievements and challenges, developing

their small and large motor skills through

resilience and confidence in their ability to

physical education. They also learn about key

tackle new problems.

and spiritually. As students become more skilled, they are expected to articulate and defend their thinking through strong written and oral communication. Students engage in rigorous coursework which requires them to synthesize information from various disciplines. Through classroom discussions, presentations, and written activities, students are asked to defend their viewpoints with logic and clarity. Spiritually, students enter a stage where they begin to reflect on their own faith, moving beyond simply accepting what they’ve been taught to individually wrestling with their beliefs.

FOR AN IN-DEPTH REVIEW OF EACH DOCUMENT, GO TO SFCS.NET/OUR–MISSION