Most people are familiar with the Barna statistic that says a majority of people’s minds are made up, and they believe they know what they need to know spiritually, by age thirteen. What is often overlooked is the very next statement in the research summary: “Their focus in absorbing religious teaching after that age is to gain reassurance and confirmation of their existing beliefs . . .”

Pinewood Christian Academy has been a PreK-8th grade school since its founding nearly thirty years ago. Typically, our graduated eighth graders go on to enroll in local public high schools. Therefore, our spiritual focus has been on preparing them to deal with secular cultural pressures and moral relativism. Yet today young people face even greater spiritual challenges: they have to navigate a culture that questions not just morality, but reality itself and their identity in a world where anything goes.

Last year, when we graduated our eighth graders, we concluded that we’re not done yet and we should expand into high school. There were three factors that we had to consider: 1) is there a market for a Christian high school? 2) do the families in our community have the means to continue private education through high school? and 3) is there a perceived need for Christian education in our community? The answer to all three of these questions is yes.

Therefore, we believe the time is right to expand Pinewood Christian Academy to include high school and continue to support our students as we pursue our mission to educate world-changers for Christ.

• Pinewood Christian Academy