Changes at Trinity
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Changes at Trinity

A new president, a closing Theatre department, a massive influx in international students, and, as of March, the faculty are unionised. A lot has changed in the past five years at Trinity Western University (TWU) in Langley, B.C., Canada’s biggest Christian liberal arts school. On March 10, after covid-related delays, TWU faculty finally received confirmation…

Completing the third way
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Completing the third way

It was 1978 in Chicago. Prof. Nicholas Wolterstorff of Calvin College gave the keynote speech at the 60th anniversary celebration of the National Union of Christian Schools (NUCS). We Canadians were impressed with those Americans reaching 60 years of united action, since the Ontario Alliance of Christian Schools (OACS) was barely 25 years old. “Our”…

It’s time for a course correction
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It’s time for a course correction

Professor Nicholas Wolterstorff once observed that to do justice to any tradition, one must understand how it interprets its vision, how it expresses that vision and the relevant highlights of its narrative. I accepted this daunting task when I decided to investigate and give an account of the tradition of alternative Christian education promoted by…

Going gradeless
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Going gradeless

This fall, British Columbia is moving to a gradeless system for kindergarten to grade nine and will continue to use letter grades for only the last three years of high school. This move affirms what many educators have long known to be true: we can do better than letter grades. Traditional grading systems are useful…

Life metrics
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Life metrics

“Christian schools create better citizens,” David Hunt says, “and you can verify that empirically.” Hunt is Cardus Education program director and co-author of a recent report focused on education titled Many Educational Systems, A Common Good. It’s the first Cardus report to compare Cardus Education survey results from three countries – Canada, America and Australia…

Are Christian schools worth having in a secular culture?
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Are Christian schools worth having in a secular culture?

Over the past century and especially during the last fifty years, much work has been done at both philosophical and curricular levels to justify and define the distinctive character of an education that takes place in reformed Christian schools. Most Christian day schools have vision and mission statements emphasizing their commitment to instill a Christian…

Days of Grace
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Days of Grace

We’re living with exam stress in our house these days. It’s that time of year. And it does nothing – or little – to tell my kids I remember what it was like. All the studying, the cramped hands, late nights, deep breaths and knowing/never-quite-knowing it will be alright. Of course, I remember all that….

Why Get Schooled?
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Why Get Schooled?

In my last column (June 8), I wrote that, “Going to university or technical school has never and will never save anyone, irrespective of whether one majors in philosophy or computer engineering. Only the sacrificial death of the Lord Jesus can do that.” If this is indeed the case, why would a young Christian person attend a college or university at all, especially since it’s expensive and may not even lead to a well-paying job?

Letter to a Young Professor

Letter to a Young Professor

DEAR PROF. VAN WIJS, I finally finished my PhD dissertation and have begun a new position as assistant professor at a Christian university. I’m feeling anxious about teaching.

Independent School Growth
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Independent School Growth

IF YOUR CHILDREN or grandchildren attend an independent Christian school, they are part of a growing trend. Independent school enrolments are increasing while public school enrolments are declining.

To my students: A reluctant farewell
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To my students: A reluctant farewell

When I began teaching 30 years ago, I had not anticipated how much I would grow to love the young people in my classes.

Building a bridge from Nicaragua to the DR
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Building a bridge from Nicaragua to the DR

My recent trip to the DR showed me another side of this picturesque country as I visited a number of fledgling Christian schools which are part of COCREF (Colegios Cristianos Reformados). This network of 15 Christian schools seeks to serve roughly 3,700 children, some of whom are among the most neglected children in the DR.