PROCLAIM SEEK, KNOW LIVE,&
WELCOME SOUTHWEST
CHRISTIAN HIGH SCHOOL to
Welcome to Southwest Christian High School. As a former teacher, coach, discipleship group leader, head of school, and parent, I have had the privilege and honor of being a part of God’s work at SWCHS since 2001. Knowing the high school years are a very formative time of life, I am deeply committed to helping our students develop as mature disciples of Jesus Christ. This process of discipleship is at the very heart of all we do both inside and outside of the classroom.
We believe the Bible is the basis of all knowledge, understanding, and wisdom, pertaining to every realm of life and thought. Therefore, our strong academic program challenges our students to understand God’s purpose for all that they are learning. Our dedicated staff, faculty, coaches, and discipleship group leaders teach, mentor, and encourage each student to seek, know, live, and proclaim the Truth and glorify God through academic, artistic, and athletic excellence.
I invite you to explore the many opportunities our school offers to partner with students as they grow spiritually, intellectually, relationally, and physically. I look forward to meeting you.
In Christ, Dan Beckering
Dan Beckering Head of School
Our desire is that our students will be seen, known, and loved as they experience Truth, discipleship, excellence, college preparation, and community.
BIBLICAL WORLDVIEW
Our students are challenged and equipped to develop a distinctly Christian understanding of all aspects of their lives. Through Bible courses, they learn to understand what God’s Word says and how they can apply that in all areas.
TRUTH
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Spending my elementary and middle school years in public school gave me a unique perspective on my time spent at Southwest Christian. The most impactful offering at SWCHS is classes taught through a biblical lens. Being able to learn math, science, English, and other subjects and to relate each subject to God’s design and order has deepened my faith, as well as my appreciation for learning.
GORDIE MOLIN Class of 2024
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TEACHING TRANSFORMATION
Teaching for Transformation (TfT) is a framework for Christian education that all of our faculty integrate into the classroom. Each teacher crafts a Deep Hope to help them see the deeper connections in their learning. Students are challenged to see God’s story in the world, in the curriculum, and reflect on what God’s story emanates for them. They are encouraged to pursue real work that nurtures their roles as order discoverers, servant-hearted workers, creators of beautiful things, seekers of justice, and more.
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A teacher’s Deep Hope helps cast a vision to their students of the larger purpose for their learning beyond the grades. It’s an invitation to all of us to consider who we are becoming through our work in class and how our everyday learning connects to the life of following Jesus.
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PETER WELLE Director of Teaching & Learning
ENCOUNTER
Encounter is our weekly chapel service that allows our entire community to gather and focus specifically on encountering God and hearing how His Kingdom is advancing within and outside of our school. This is a set-apart time for student-led worship, student and staff testimonies, outside speakers or artists, panels, and other creative avenues. Parents are invited to join us each week for this time of community worship and fellowship.
Romans 1:16 “ “
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.
Discipleship is at the heart of all we do. Our teachers and staff desire to see their students strengthen their understanding of the Christian faith, deepen their Christ-centered identity, develop spiritual disciplines, and seek to embody the life of Jesus. Discipleship Groups are comprised of 8-10 students and led by a staff, faculty, or trusted adult leader. D-Groups are designed to create an environment where students experience real community and do life together. They meet weekly and engage in a wide variety of activities meant to foster connection and grow both individually and as a group.
DISCIPLESHIP
TAKING ACTION
We desire to give students diverse service opportunities to open their eyes to the needs of people both locally and internationally. Through both missions trips and service days, students step outside of their comfort zone. Our seniors are given a global opportunity to proclaim the Truth and put their faith in action as the senior class travels to the Dominican Republic each year.
EXCELLENCE
ACADEMICS
Our academic program promotes both the learning of intellectual content and the understanding of its importance in God’s overall purpose.
At SWCHS, we offer on-level, honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and dual-credit college courses. There is an opportunity for every learner to succeed, grow, and be challenged in the classroom.
We also offer support for students with learning differences and provide diverse academic and vocational opportunities.
We value experiential learning and want our students to gain experience in their areas of passion.
We seek out teachers who deeply love God, care for their students, and are passionate about their subject area.
Southwest Christian has given me the opportunity to take a variety of classes and expand my learning in different areas. I have been able to challenge myself in subjects I enjoy such as AP World History, college-level business and entrepreneurship and high-level Spanish courses. I find myself being challenged to think and see the world differently often by my teachers who encourage me and help me when I need assistance. My education at SWCHS has helped me become wellrounded and strong in my faith.
“ “
JULIANNA
WALL Class of 2025
ARTISTIC EXCELLENCE
VISUAL ARTS
For students interested in visual arts, we offer a robust selection of 2D and 3D art classes. The spring semester ends with Articulate, a celebration of the arts and the unveiling of the year’s published art book: Poiema.
MUSIC
Music at SWCHS is a unique opportunity to create beauty both instrumentally and vocally while enjoying connections with other musicians. Experiences in rehearsals, performances, and touring trips allow students to use their gifts and talents in worship. Students have the ability to participate in strings or jazz ensembles, symphonic band, and both audition and non-audition choirs.
THEATER
Theater is a vibrant extracurricular activity. Both on-stage cast and behind-the-scenes and technical crew are involved in our theater program. With three performances per year, opportunities abound for those interested in any aspect of theatrical productions.
EXCELLENCE ATHLETIC
through
DISCIPLESHIP ATHLETICS
Our Coaching for Transformation program ensures that every coach encourages Christ-like character in his or her athletes. While teaching character is the foundation of our sports programs, SWCHS programs also encourage excellence, and teams regularly compete at conference, section, and state levels.
COMMUNITY SPORT through
With 75% of our student body involved in at least one athletic team and over 50% of the students involved in more than one sport, athletics is a connecting point within our community.
COLLEGE PREPARATION
ACADEMIC
RIGOR
Our courses are rigorous and thoroughly prepare students for post-secondary education. SWCHS offers over 20 courses (including Advanced Placement) that qualify for college credit. All of our courses, including college-credit courses, are all taught from a Biblical worldview.
More than 20% of SWCHS seniors graduate with a year or more of college credits completed in our classrooms, taught by our teachers, who are also professors
More than
80 college credits offered on site taught by SWCHS teachers
BE LOVED
KNOWN
COMMUNITY ENGAGE TRADITIONS in
All-School Retreat
Staff, faculty, and students kick off the year with an overnight retreat.
Dances
Multiple dances take place throughout the year both on and off campus!
Fresh Start
Freshmen spend a day away from campus engaging with one another as a class.
Grandparents Day
Every year we love hosting our grandparents on campus for a day so they can experience SWCHS.
Homecoming Week
A full week of festivities to celebrate Homecoming.
Pastor Appreciation Day
A day to host our pastors on campus and show appreciation for their service.
COMMUNITY
Our community is set apart because of our dedication to intentionally building relationships between the staff, faculty, and student body.
We desire that every student be seen, known, and loved for who they are and the great gift they are to our community.
We encourage each member of our student body to seek involvement in an area of their passion: whether that is a club, committee, or extracurricular activity.
SOUTHWEST DISCOVER
APPLICATION PROCESS
1
INITIAL INTRODUCTION
2 APPLICATION
3 ADMISSIONS CHECKLIST
4 STUDENT INTERVIEW
5 ACCEPTANCE & ENROLLMENT
6 REGISTRATION & PLACEMENT TESTS
CHRISTIAN ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA
FAITH/SPIRITUAL COMMITMENT
The student and at least one parent: Professes faith in Jesus Christ, participates regularly in Christian community, and desires to grow in their Christian faith.
Agrees with our statement of faith, core beliefs and values. See our website under “What We Believe.”
ACADEMICS
The student:
Demonstrates he or she values learning and desires to engage academically.
Academic history supports his or her ability to succeed in our learning environment.
Possesses a willingness to engage and participate academically
COMMUNITY
The student:
Demonstrates a desire to be a positive and engaged contributor to the student body.
Agrees to our expectations about student behavior and agrees to our pledge of integrity.
“Do everything without complaining or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe as you hold out the word of life - in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.”
Philippians 2:14-16