Why CESA?

The Council on Educational Standards & Accountability (CESA)

Mission

The Council on Educational Standards and Accountability exists to motivate, support, and hold accountable Christian schools that aspire to superlative academic standards, institutional best practices, and collaboration with like‑minded schools.

Core Values

CESA’s primary purpose is to grow strong Christian schools by growing leaders within those schools. It serves Christian schools and Christian organizations through leadership services, academic enrichment, programmatic development, professional development, and by providing fellowship and collegiality to leaders within Christian schools. CESA accomplishes this purpose through the promotion of four core values:

Cohesive Christian Identity

  • CESA affirms the Nicene Creed as its statement of fath with the expectation that all member schools ascribe to its tenets.
  • CESA seeks to advance the gospel of Jesus Christ through its educational outcomes.
  • CESA is committed to institutions whose programs, policy, and culture reflect intentionality in reflecting Biblical ideology and Christian thought.
  • CESA affirms the Lordship of Christ and the authority of Scripture.
  • CESA is committed to ecumenical Christianity as differing perspectives and histories can enable institutional growth and improvement.

Pedagogical Distinctiveness

  • CESA affirms that learning is a deeply sacred process.
  • CESA affirms institutions and programs that require appropriate challenge for all students.
  • CESA affirms that a sense of striving in all academic areas enables a deeper knowledge of the Holy and preparation for a life of human flourishing.

Collegial Accountability

  •  CESA adheres to objective standards agreed upon by the Council meant to foster institutional improvement.
  • CESA promotes a culture and ethos built upon a foundation of accountability within the CESA community and the body of Christ.
  • CESA schools agree that a spirit of humility accompanies accountability in striving for school-wide excellence, as reflected in the standards and school best practices.

Purposeful Community

  • CESA is committed to building and equipping leaders through comradery and relationships of like-minded school leaders.
  • CESA promotes a commitment to thoughtful and engaged dialogue centered on philosophies, research, and experiences that promote institutional improvement.
  • CESA is committed to facilitating opportunities for like-minded leaders to gather for the purpose of personal and institutional growth.
  • CESA is committed to focused engagement between member schools for the purpose of mutual institutional growth and for the greater good of Christian schooling.

“There’s no doubt that CESA’s standards and our need to stretch towards them have significantly upped our game to another level. The broad network and relationships with so many exemplary school leaders have strengthened our school’s leadership at every level.”

– S. O’Neil, Vail Christian High School

Edifying the Christian School Head

CESA is an organization built to foster leadership and operates from a fundamental belief that the best way to grow capacity in schools is to invest in the head. Through membership in CESA, school heads gain access to a network of leaders with a track record of superior leadership. Augmented by robust conversations on matters common to mature schools, CESA acts as a catalyst for the growth of school heads and the effectiveness of their schools. The Christian collegiality of CESA school heads is unparalleled. Trust, encouragement, and accountability lift the professional experience of CESA heads to new heights.

Edifying the Local Christian School

Expanding beyond the healthy and well-equipped head of school and senior leadership, CESA helps build healthy schools through the CESA Standards of Accountability© which provide a qualitative stretch for all leaders seeking in good faith to grow their schools and to take them to “the next level.” CESA schools exclusively benchmark against one another to provide an unprecedented basis for comparison and drive for greatness, providing rich, relevant data for school decision-making. CESA schools maximize their potential through the demonstration of adherence to the CESA Standards of Accountability, enjoying a rich network to anable growth and distinction.

Edifying the Christian School Movement

CESA provides a council of schools with a mindset and track record of excellence, demonstrating superlative academics, institutional coherence, and long-term sustainabilty. Membership in CESA increases and strengthens the dense network of credible and influential Christian institutions. Membership in CESA exposes member schools and heads to other members who are part of rich networks with other highly reputable educational organizations, as well as those who are impacting centers of power and influence for God’s glory.

“Being a CESA school has inspired us to remember who we are. The accountability we have through the process of renewing and maintaining our Member of Council status keeps us moving forward. When considering all our programs, initiatives, and plans, CESA encourages us to filter everything through the lens of our mission and vision.”

– C. Perona, Head of School, Central Christian School