Coventry Christian Schools
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Coventry Christian Schools (CCS) is a Pennsylvania Pre-K -12 school founded by superintendent Mark E. Niehls. CCS first opened its doors in 1984 with only 7 students in a two-morning preschool taught by two volunteer teachers. As of fall 2006, CCS consisted of more than 70 faculty and staff members and 460 students. As of fall 2004, student:teacher ratio averaged about 8:1. Thanks to Many generous donations throughout the past 22 years, CCS has been able to provide much needed accommodations for its ever-increasing student body.
| Coventry Christian Schools | |
| "Educating For Life" | |
| School type | Private |
|---|---|
| Established | 1984 |
| Grades | Pre-K - 12 |
| Principal | Paul Fisher |
| Students | Coeducational |
| Athletics | CCS Eagles |
| Colors | Blue and white |
| Accreditation | NCSA [1] |
| Location | 962 East Schuylkill Road Pottstown, PA 19465 699 North Pleasantview Road Pottstown, PA 19464 United States |
| Website | http://www.coventrychristian.com/ |
Contents |
[edit] Chronological history
1983 – Preliminary plans to open a preschool finalized. Curriculum is developed and supplies obtained. Registration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education and 501c(3) tax exemption status received from IRS.
1984 – The school is incorporated and opens its first academic year in September with seven students in a two morning preschool class taught by two volunteer teachers.
1985 – A full day kindergarten class is added and preschool is expanded.
1986 – First grade is added.
1987 – Second grade is added. The 5.2 acre (21,000 m²) property at 962 East Schuylkill Road is purchased. 2,000 sq ft (190 m²) of usable space becomes available in the renovated schoolhouse.
1989 – The newly renovated property on Schuylkill Road opens to first through third grades. Preschool and kindergarten remain at the Coventry Hills church building.
1993 – Five temporary classroom trailers installed to provide expanded instructional space.
1994 – The first permanent addition adds 3200 sq ft (300 m²) and six new classrooms and new restrooms.
1995 – A second permanent addition adds 6400 sq ft (600 m²) of space providing a large multipurpose room and preschool with three large classrooms and a kitchen. An additional 0.8 acre (3200 m²) of adjacent property was purchased bringing the total campus area to 6 acres (24,000 m²). All students move to Coventry Campus. Eighth grade is added!
1996 – The 4 acre (16,000 m²) athletic field is professionally leveled and seeded allowing for playground expansion and home games in soccer and field hockey.
1998 – 9,500 sq ft (880 m²) of new instructional space constructed. This space included an art room, computer lab, library, science lab, and nine new classrooms. Total space is 21,000 sq ft (2,000 m²). High School expansion begins.
2000 – 2.3 acres (9,300 m²) of adjacent property is purchased for future expansion. The school receives $1 million bequest from the Penrose Keller estate. Total campus area is 9 acres (36,000 m²). Temporary modular facility installed to accommodate secondary expansion.
2001 - Coventry Christian Schools graduates its first senior class.
2002 – Full accreditation received through the National Christian School Association! The first comprehensive capital campaign is launched at CCS.
2003 – 13.2 acre (53,000 m²) Pleasantview campus purchased for new preschool site and secondary program. School building has nearly 52,000 sq ft (4800 m²) of instructional space containing 22 classrooms, library, cafeteria and kitchen.
[edit] School sports
- Sports consist of Varsity and JV soccer, Varsity and JV volleyball, and Middle school and Varsity basketball for both male and female students.
[edit] Past sports
- Baseball (see social clubs below)
- Field hockey (for female students)
[edit] Social clubs
- SGA - Student Government Association (service)
- JOY - Jesus, Others, Yourself (service)
- Baseball (offered on demand)
- Christ's Ambassadors (designed to bring Christ to the student body)
- A selection of Yearbook or Journalism is required for credit. The yearbook is titled "The Light" and the paper, "The Talon."
[edit] Mission statement
Coventry Christian Schools exists to serve young people in their pursuit of spiritual, academic, social, and physical growth and development. Striving to give no less than our best, we propose to:
- Instill in each and every student an awareness of God, knowledge of His inspired Word (The Bible), and a conviction of purpose for their lives.
- Lay an educational foundation of skills, basic and necessary, to maintain open doors of opportunity for a happy and productive life.
- Build a positive self-image, respect for others, and recognition of responsibility to participate in improving the quality of life for all people.
- Encourage physical fitness and development of a healthy lifestyle as well as a sense of stewardship in caring for living things and the environment.
[edit] Philosophy of education
"Educating for Life," Coventry Christian School's motto, simply and succinctly embodies our philosophy of education. We strive to train our students in the wisdom and knowledge of God and His Word, while demonstrating how this permeates every facet of their daily learning-from math to science, from English to art, from physical education to social activities. We believe that education should prepare students for life today, tomorrow, and eternity.
Education must begin with the conviction that each student is made in the image of God and has an eternal soul that God loved enough to send His Son to save. Each student is invaluable. Such a conviction permeates instruction, classroom management, discipline, and communication with parents.
Education is a failure if it does not instill in students a fear of the Lord. Solomon said, "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge." The fear of the Lord is the foundation of education for both teacher and student. True education that leads to wisdom cannot be assessed by written tests and evaluations. Evidence of such an education can only be seen in the life and deeds of the student. The highest order of thought is expressed in the actions of the student. This incorporation of God's Word into the daily life of a student is Coventry Christian School's goal of education.
In instruction, curriculum writing, discipline, social interaction-in all that is done to educate students, the teacher must strive to bring glory to God and do it all in the name of Jesus, trusting that God blesses such efforts. Such an approach keeps each educator accountable to a higher power and ensures that solid educational principles provided by God drive his or her efforts.
Because any thought that sets itself against the knowledge of God is folly and promotes futile thinking, students must be trained to think critically, using discernment, evaluating all knowledge in all fields of education and life in the light of God's Word.
In addition, students need teachers who are authentic and live their faith in and out of the classroom. Students must see a passion for God and for learning in the teacher so that they will be more likely to share the same passions themselves.
Students learn most effectively when the subjects they are taught are not isolated from their existence. This is why Christ taught by parable, and why it is imperative that children learn their subjects in context.
Understanding that God, the Creator of each student, has endowed them with different talents, abilities, and interests, educators are obligated to nurture those God-given qualities, meeting the needs of each student, treating everyone as an individual. Just as Christ met people where they were to teach them, teachers must do the same for their students.
A school guided by these philosophical tenets will provide a superior education that meets the needs of all students, educating them for "life to the full"-"the life that is truly life." A life that will endure for eternity.
Ephesians 4:11-13, Genesis 1:27, Colossians 3:17, 2 Corinthians 10:5, Ecclesiastes 12:13, Proverbs 1:7, Matthew 5:19, James 3:13, 1 Timothy 6:19, John 10:10
[edit] Administration
- Secondary Principal - Paul Q. Fisher
- Elementary Principal - Francie Hodges
- Preschool Director - Mary Niehls
- Business Manager - Cyndy Schnovel
- Office Manager - Jill Barton
- Asst. Dir. Of Development - John Mark Niehls
- Business Assistant - Tara Swartz
- Office Assistant - Toby Romig
[edit] Campuses
[edit] Coventry Campus
962 East Schuylkill Road, Pottstown, PA 19465
The “Coventry” Campus is so named because it is located in North Coventry Township. The building has over 21,000 square feet of instructional space, which serves Preschool through 5th grades. There are 19 classrooms, along with a Library, Computer Lab, Art Room, multipurpose room, and offices. The building is located on over 9 acres of CCS property, including a fenced state of the art playground facility.
[edit] Pleasantview Campus
699 North Pleasantview Road, Pottstown, PA 19464
The “Pleasantview” Campus is so named because it is located on Pleasantview Road. It has over 51,000 square feet of instructional space, which serves a new preschool program as well as 6th through 12th grades. There are 20 classrooms as well as an Art Room, Multipurpose Room/Gym, Chapel, Library, School Store, Cafeteria, and administrative offices. The building is located on over 12 acres of CCS property which borders the township park.
