What Does It Mean to Be a Covenantal Christian School?
At Ontario Christian School, we often describe ourselves as a covenantal Christian school. But what does that really mean? And how does it shape the way we partner with families and churches to raise the next generation of Christian leaders?
A Biblical Foundation for Education
The word covenantal points back to God’s design for family and community. In Scripture, parents are given the primary responsibility for raising their children in the nurture and instruction of the Lord (Deuteronomy 6:6-7; Ephesians 6:4). A covenantal Christian school exists to come alongside parents, not to replace them, in this sacred calling.
This approach makes Ontario Christian unique. Our mission is not simply to educate minds but to disciple hearts. We serve Christian families who are dedicated to bringing their children up in the Lord, supporting them with teachers, programs, and a community deeply committed to Christ.
The Home – School – Church Partnership
A covenantal model recognizes that true Christian education is a threefold partnership:
- The Home – Parents are the first and most influential teachers of their children. We seek families who are committed to living out their faith at home, modeling what it looks like to follow Jesus day by day.
- The School – OC provides a Christ-centered environment where students grow academically, socially, and spiritually. Our teachers do more than teach lessons; they mentor, disciple, and care for each student as a child of God.
- The Church – The local church plays a vital role in grounding students in their faith through worship, doctrine, and Christian fellowship. At Ontario Christian, we encourage students and families to be active members of a local congregation. In fact, part of our admissions process includes ensuring a family’s connection to a Bible-believing church.
When these three partners are aligned, students thrive. Parents have testified that what drew them to Ontario Christian was the assurance that teachers, staff, and coaches would reinforce at school the same Biblical values taught at home and in church.
Why It Matters Today
We live in a world full of shifting values and competing voices. Families often face difficult decisions about how to prepare their children for the future without losing sight of their faith. A covenantal Christian school provides an anchor, a place where students receive rigorous academics while being reminded daily of God’s truth, love, and calling on their lives.
As one parent recently shared, “I want my kids around other adults who will love my children and lead them in the way I would want them led.” That is the heart of covenantal education.
The Ontario Christian Difference
For more than 80 years, Ontario Christian has remained committed to its covenantal identity, even as our community has grown more diverse and vibrant. This is not just about tradition, it’s about faithfulness. By standing on God’s promises and leaning into the partnership of home, school, and church, we seek to raise up students who are both academically strong and spiritually grounded.
At Ontario Christian, we don’t just want to teach students what to think; we want to disciple them in how to live as followers of Christ. Together, with parents and churches, we are growing Christian leaders who will serve faithfully in their homes, their communities, and the world.
