Foundation and Beliefs

Annapolis Area Christian School embeds every aspect of teaching and learning within a worldview anchored in Biblical truth. The Bible contains sixty-six books written by many authors over centuries but follows one storyline that tells a wholly unified story. The grand narrative of this unified story forms the framework and lens through which all the activities at AACS are structured and viewed. The outline of this unified story, which unfolds progressively from Genesis to Revelation, can be summarized as Creation-Fall-Redemption-Restoration. 

Creation 

God created the Heavens and the Earth and every living thing out of nothing, by the power of his Word, and proclaimed it was good. He created all of humanity in his image to steward his creation for his glory and proclaimed them very good. Psalm 8:6-8; John 1:1-3; Genesis 1:26-29, 2:15-25; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Hebrews 13:4 

Fall 

In Adam’s disobedience, all humanity rebelled against God – exchanging the glory of the Creator for the glory of the creature –and fell into sin, death, and condemnation. All of humanity is fallen and lacks the ability and inclination to be reconciled to God on their own. The whole creation groans and suffers due to the corruption and distortion of sin. Genesis 3; Romans 6:23, 8:21-23; Ephesians 2:1-10

Redemption 

God sent his own Son, Jesus Christ—the eternal Son of God who is both fully God and fully man—to live the life we could not live and die in our place, satisfying God’s just and righteous condemnation of our sin. In Christ, we are a new creation, enjoying the full forgiveness of sin and access to the Father by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit calls and equips sinners to a life of repentance, faith, obedience, and spiritual growth. Matthew 28:18; 1 Corinthians 15; 2 Corinthians 5:17-21; Matthew 28:18-20; John 6:35-40, 10:1-18, 16:5-15; 1 Peter 2 

Restoration 

When Christ returns, all things will be made new, and all of humanity will be resurrected to eternal life in the New Heavens and New Earth or condemned to separation from God. Until then, we are equipped to persist in proclaiming the good news of God’s Kingdom, fulfilling the creation mandate (fill and subdue the earth, ruling over it, and cultivating its potential), and calling others to be reconciled to him.  John 10:1-18; John 16:5-15, 6:35-40; 2 Corinthians 5:17-29; Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 12:28-31; Luke 6:31; Isaiah 65:17-25; Revelation 21:1-5

Annapolis Area Christian School Statement of Faith

This statement of faith is taken directly from the AACS Constitution.  For more context, the entire constitution can be found here.

Article II - Purpose and Principles

1. Primary Purpose. The Association is formed for the purpose of promoting and maintaining a Christian school in the Annapolis area for the Christian instruction of children in accordance with the principles of this article toward the end that these children may occupy their places worthily in society, church, and state seeking and following God's will for their lives, such school being known as the Annapolis Area Christian School (the "School''). The Association will also engage in such other religious and/or educational activities as may promote and support this primary purpose. 

The School is a Covenantal Christian School, meaning that we are a school for families where parents are followers of Christ and are engaged in a Christian church. We seek families where at least one parent is a professing follower of Jesus Christ and where that parent is engaged in worship, fellowship, and ministry of a local Christian church. 

2. Declaration of Principles.   The primary purpose is further defined by the following declaration of principles: 

a. The Bible, the inerrant Word of God, is the supreme norm for all Christian faith and life and, therefore, for the educational enterprise of the Association. 

b. Further, the Bible presents a coherent pattern of teaching centered upon the saving Lordship of Jesus Christ. This pattern, as it has been summarized in such confessional statements as the Westminster Confession of Faith, the Philadelphia Baptist Confession, the Heidelberg Catechism, and the Thirty-Nine Articles, provides the unified basis for the Christian view of education adhered to by the Association. All of this we profess and declare in the sure and certain hope that as we nurture our children in the knowledge and love of the Lord, God himself will guide, preserve, and bless these efforts through the work of the Holy Spirit. 

c. The following Statement of Faith further summarizes this pattern: This Statement of Faith does not exhaust the extent of our beliefs.

d. The Bible itself, as the Word of God that speaks with final authority concerning truth, morality, and the proper conduct of mankind, is the sole and final source of all that we believe. The AACS Board of Directors is the final interpretive authority on the Bible’s meaning and application in the life of AACS.

e. All of this we profess and declare in the sure and certain hope that as we nurture our children in the knowledge and love of the Lord, God himself will guide, preserve, and bless these efforts through the work of the Holy Spirit. 

AACS has adopted five core distinctives (emanating from Article II of the AACS Constitution) that keep us on course in our education journey. We consider these non-negotiable. 

• Community of Partnerships - As a diverse community of Christians, our purpose is to further biblical understanding of life through Christian education, in partnership with families and the church.

• Biblical Worldview - We approach learning through the biblical perspective (creation, fall, redemption, and final restoration), striving to connect what we believe to what we do.

• Educational Excellence - Continually seeking to improve our understanding in all things, we view excellence as a journey, not a destination. (Colossians 3:23)

• Creativity and Imagination - We encourage students to be innovative and adaptable, serving Christ with an eye to the changing world.

• Developing the Whole Child - God created each child in his own image with diverse gifts and talents. We work to help students achieve their potential in mind, body, and spirit. We seek to develop students of integrity, wisdom, and love.

AACS believes our adherence to the Core Distinctives described above can create a school culture characterized by the Cultural Aims listed below.

• Visible Faith – We are redeemed through the saving work of Jesus Christ. Now we are called to imitate Him as His disciples through the power of the Holy Spirit. Our faith is not just what we say we believe; it is evident in our actions, attitudes, and relationships. 
• Courageous Humility – We are but dust, and yet we bear God’s image. Though we are sinners, we are redeemed by Jesus Christ and adopted as the sons and daughters of God. A right understanding of ourselves empowers us to act with both humility and courage.  
• Healthy Discontent – We recognize that creation is not as it ought to be. Rather than embracing cynicism or complacency, we live in hope and participate in Christ’s work of restoration in ourselves, our community, and the world. 

• Steadfast Joy – We rejoice in the eternal, finished work of Jesus Christ. We remind ourselves daily of the gospel of grace and delight in God’s unchanging character amidst ever-changing circumstances. 

Annapolis Area Christian School occupies a unique place within the larger Christian community. While both Christian churches and AACS share in the educational and nurturing function, AACS focuses solely on integrating the Christian worldview into the modern educational experience, from Kindergarten through grade 12, restoring the link between spiritual and intellectual knowledge for a more complete understanding of our world.

Our Teachers

Teachers at the Annapolis Area Christian School are hired because they are masters in their field and also because their lives exemplify biblical wisdom and the love of Christ. They are professionals with special instructional gifts who work constantly to strengthen the art of teaching.

Our StudentsWe believe that God created children in his own image each with their own diverse gifts and talents. We seek to help students develop their full potential in mind, body, and spirit.

Our ParentsAACS students come from homes where at least one parent has a personal faith in Jesus Christ and is active in a local Bible-based church. Our parents desire an excellent Christian education for their children within a safe and caring Christian community.

Our ChurchesAACS families attend over 150 local Christian churches in our area.

Our Educational ProgramAACS offers a challenging and comprehensive academic curriculum that serves the entire family, a competitive athletic program, as well as outstanding fine arts in theater, choral, band, and visual arts. Biblical principles and values are integrated into academics, arts, athletics, activities, and attitudes.

Our Educational Philosophy
The education of Annapolis Area Christian School is grounded in Biblical truth, Christ’s redeeming grace, and the historical Christian faith. Students prepare for and learn through opportunities to live out their faith, in worship, love, and obedience in light of the Bible and a creation-fall-redemption-restoration framework. Our mission is to engage students in an education of excellence, enabling them to impact the world through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. We prepare and equip our students for college, career, and service pursuits so that they may both participate in Christ’s redemptive work and grow in their relationship with Him.

AACS is an accredited comprehensive Christian K – 12 school: an educational, spiritual, and social partnership between parents, students, and faculty/staff. This partnership is best lived out with relationship between the parents, the school, and the church. Partners are rooted in a God-centered, committed relationship with Jesus Christ. The AACS community invites students toward responsibility and expertise as growing believers, active and lifelong learners, effective communicators, responsible stewards, and compassionate neighbors.

Therefore, we provide, evaluate, and continually strengthen a comprehensive and relevant curriculum of academic, spiritual, athletic, artistic, and technical content and skills in order to meet our educational goals and prepare our students for college and career. Both content and skills progress and scaffold as the years advance.

Instruction at AACS incorporates methods and materials that support and promote engaged and collaborative learning, thinking, and problem-solving. These draw from and develop students’ gifts and abilities to help them reflect God’s image.

Our students’ faith, academic growth, service, and stewardship while on our campuses will attest to the success of our programs. The accreditation process continually affirms and refines our programs. Our graduates’ skills and talents, ability to engage the world with discernment, passion for Christ, thirst for knowledge, and compassion for all God’s creatures will bear God-honoring fruit.

We invite students to embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ and to become growing believers, active learners, responsible stewards, effective communicators, and compassionate neighbors.

Growing Believers Who

• Love Jesus Christ as Savior, acknowledging his love, sacrifice, and authority over every area of life
• Profess, share, and defend their faith
• Participate in local churches, engaging in worship, prayer, service, and fellowship
• Persevere through difficult times, knowing God is at work
• Recognize and value the image of God in all people

Active Learners Who

• Seek mastery in educational, personal, and professional endeavors
• Think critically – both independently and in collaboration
• Cultivate intellectual and spiritual curiosity
• Solve complex issues with careful thought, innovation, and creativity
• Seek the truth in all pursuits
• Create beautiful and redemptive works for a variety of purposes and audiences

• Treat God’s world with care
• Use information and tools with discernment
• Manage goals, time, and demands according to right priorities
• Balance their wants and needs with those of others
• Nurture their health – physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual
• Recognize and cultivate their unique abilities for the glory of God, contributing to individual growth and broader human flourishing

Effective Communicators Who

• Speak and act with humility
• Listen attentively
• Communicate with precision and clarity
• Understand the contexts that shape individuals, communities, cultures, and nations
• Construct and evaluate arguments
• Resolve conflict with mercy, grace, and truth

Compassionate Neighbors Who

• Love, respect, and serve others selflessly
• Engage others in discourse, research, and inquiry
• Pursue wholeness and justice where there is brokenness
• Respect diverse cultures
• Participate as active global citizens
• Give generously of their time, treasures, and talents