SESSION THREAD #3 – SATURDAY, JULY 12
Church Community Schools
This session thread offers a detailed roadmap for faith leaders to establish and maintain church community schools, addressing key stages from inception to student achievement. Topics include setting up an accredited program through strategic partnerships, navigating legal structures, governance, and community engagement, and preparing students for college with strong study habits and faith-based support.
All participants must have a valid Acellus World ticket to attend these sessions.
Instructor: Dr. Joshua Billings, Executive Director at Acellus Academy
Blueprint for Launching a Church Community School
Establishing a school involves navigating complex challenges such as staffing, curriculum selection, and accreditation. This session offers a comprehensive blueprint for successfully launching a church community school. Discover how strategic partnerships enable churches to implement an accredited academic program from the outset, delivering a robust curriculum while reaffirming core values. The session will also address resources to ensure compliance with teacher certification requirements. Equipped with the strategies covered in this session, your church can efficiently launch a community school, providing students with accredited transcripts and diplomas from day one.
Saturday, 10:00AM
Instructor: Sadie Elliott, Herzog Foundation Institute Director
Establishing Organizational Practices
In this session, church leaders will learn how to establish effective school governance while aligning with the church’s mission and legal framework. Topics will include policies and practices for board governance, donor development, student recruitment, and more. Whether you’re just beginning or looking to strengthen your current model, this session offers a practical roadmap for setting up a thriving school ministry.
Saturday, 11:00AM
InSTRUCTOR: OLLIE Bockwinkel, FOUNDER & CEO OF CUSTOS CPA
How to Get Started with Forming a Christian School
This session is designed for faith leaders in the early stages of launching a school and provides a foundational overview of key considerations for a successful start. Learn how to establish your school’s legal structure, articulate a clear mission and identity, and plan for legal considerations of operating a school. The session will also introduce training resources and practical materials developed to guide you through each step of the startup process, helping you move forward with clarity, confidence, and support.
Saturday, 1:00PM
Instructor: Dr. Teddy Bitner, Chief Academic Officer at Calvary University
Setting Students Up for Success in College
This session outlines critical steps that leaders can implement to ensure high school students are well-prepared to thrive in college and beyond. Topics include fostering effective study habits, instilling strong time management skills, guiding students to leverage campus resources, and nurturing a faith-based support network. Facilitated by Calvary University, this presentation delivers practical, actionable strategies to equip leaders in empowering students to confidently face academic and personal challenges, laying a robust foundation for their future success.
Saturday, 3:00PM
Instructor: Zachary Mulvihill
Bible Studies for Church Community Schools
This session explores why integrating Bible studies into the curriculum is essential for nurturing students’ faith and equipping them with biblical principles to navigate life’s challenges. The session will provide a preview of upcoming digital courseware and resources to engage high school students, which will be made available to church community schools beginning this fall.