A Heart for Christian Education
In today's rapidly changing educational landscape, the need for faith-based learning environments has never been greater. Many Christian educators and parents feel called to create schools that provide a solid Christian foundation for students, but they often don't know where to begin. Soaring Education Services, led by Kristie Flohra, is stepping in to fill that gap, offering support, resources, and expertise to help bring these visions to life.
The Vision Behind Soaring Education Services
Soaring Education Services is the service arm of OpenSky Education, a Christian nonprofit with over 20 years of experience in making Christian education accessible and affordable. Kristie Flohra, with nearly three decades of experience in education, leads the team at Soaring. The organization's mission is to help individuals and churches start Christian schools by removing common barriers and providing practical support.
Kristie explains, "Our goal is to help make Christian education a reality for those who feel called to start a school. We provide a framework that addresses the challenges and pitfalls that often prevent people from moving forward."
Common Questions from Aspiring School Founders
When individuals first approach Soaring Education Services, they often have a lot of questions: "Where do I start? How do I find teachers? What should I charge? How do I establish a 501c3?" These questions can be overwhelming, especially for those new to the process. Soaring helps by answering these questions and guiding founders through the process of establishing a school, from clarifying mission and vision to handling practical details like curriculum selection and budgeting.
Supporting Church-Based Schools
Many churches feel called to extend their ministry by starting a school to serve their congregation and community. Soaring Education Services has worked with numerous churches to help them turn this vision into reality. Kristie shares, "It's wonderful to see churches take up the call to provide Christian education. We work closely with them to build a sustainable foundation for their school, ensuring it can serve future generations."
Personalized Support for Every School Founder
Soaring Education Services is not a one-size-fits-all organization. They understand that each school is unique, reflecting the needs of its community and the vision of its founders. Kristie emphasizes, "We don't dictate what your school should look like. We're here to help you design a model that fits your community and meets your goals."
Whether you're a homeschool mom wanting to start a small micro-school or a church looking to launch a larger traditional school, Soaring provides the tools and support needed to succeed. They even offer a free discovery call, where potential founders can discuss their ideas and get personalized advice.
Making Christian Education Affordable and Accessible
One of the key goals of Soaring Education Services is to make starting a Christian school more affordable and accessible. They're developing an online resource hub called Soaring Ready, set to launch in fall 2024. This platform will connect aspiring school founders with existing organizations, partner resources, and self-guided tools to help them navigate the process of starting a school.
Kristie explains, "Our goal has always been to make Christian education accessible and affordable. The Soaring Ready hub will be a one-stop shop where founders can find the resources they need to succeed."
Designing and Building Your School
For those ready to dive deeper into the process, Soaring offers a Design and Build program. This phase involves everything from crafting a mission statement to choosing curriculum and setting up enrollment strategies. Soaring's team helps founders think through every detail, ensuring they're fully prepared to open their doors on day one.
Kristie shares, "The build phase is where it all comes together. From choosing desks and chairs to finalizing policies and procedures, we help founders create a solid plan for their school."
Diverse Models for Diverse Needs
Soaring Education Services recognizes that every community is different, and they embrace a wide range of school models. Whether it's a classical education model, a technology-driven high school, or a multi-age micro-school, Soaring helps founders create a school that meets the specific needs of their community. "We've seen all kinds of models succeed, from traditional schools to innovative microschools," Kristie says. "The key is designing a school that serves the unique needs of the students and families in your area."
Conclusion: Answering the Call to Christian Education
For those who feel called to start a Christian school, Soaring Education Services is here to help. With personalized support, practical tools, and a heart for Christian education, Soaring is empowering individuals and churches to answer God's call and make a lasting impact on future generations.
Kristie encourages, "If God has placed this calling on your heart, don't be overwhelmed by the challenges. We're here to help you every step of the way. Together, we can ensure that more children have access to the life-changing benefits of a Christian education."
For more information, visit Soaring Education Services at soaringeducation.org.
This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wiseandotherwise
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