Network of International Christian Schools

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The Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) is an organization that is comprised of 21 schools located in 17 different countries in Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, South America, and includes an online school in North America. Of the 21 schools, 3 are operated under a division of NICS called Oasis International Schools. There are still plans in the works for more schools in the near future.

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[edit] History

The NICS/Oasis sign at the entrance to the Network of International Christian Schools International Headquarters
The NICS/Oasis sign at the entrance to the Network of International Christian Schools International Headquarters

In 1983, Joe Hale, along with his wife, Ann, and some other missionaries, formed a school in South Korea. They initially anticipated that this school would educate about 30 students, but on the school’s inaugural day 83 students arrived for classes.[1] The school continued to grow, and now there are 3 different schools in Korea, with a total enrollment of over 1000 students. The school idea spread from there to other countries, and, eventually, other continents. The vast growth of the initial schools was such that, in 1991, Network of International Christian Schools (NICS) was born and a home office was established in Memphis, TN to facilitate the operations and staffing of the schools.[2] The next year, in 1992, NICS became an incorporated independent mission agency. In 2001 the home office was moved to Southaven, MS, where it is currently located. After operating out of the Southaven Municipal building for several years, the current location was secured and occupied in the fall of 2007. The home office is housed in three buildings on 9.5 acres, and there are future plans for additional buildings to be built, which will be used as a conference and training facility. The home office currently houses 20 employees, as well as the director of NorthStar Academy, the online school. Joe Hale serves as the President of NICS, and now works out of the home office. The total enrollment of all 20 schools for the 2007-08 school year (the 21st, the online school, will join NICS during the 08-09 school year) was 3767 students. There are over 500 teachers serving the 20 schools throughout the organization. As new opportunities for schools arose, it became apparent that the organization would have to employ a unique approach to serve certain countries. Oasis International Schools was established in an effort to serve those countries with sensitivity to religious issues.

[edit] Vision of NICS and Oasis International Schools

“The mission of NICS is to establish a worldwide network of international Christian schools, staffed by qualified Christian educators, instilling in each student a Biblical worldview in an environment of academic excellence and respect for people of all cultures and religions.”[3]

“Oasis International Schools is a division of NICS that operates international schools that are not religious in nature, but emphasize the development of character and a sound foundation for morals, ethics and values, with the goal of honoring the host country in a way that is appropriate to the host country environment while meeting the needs of the students. As each country is entirely unique, there are no two schools exactly alike.”[4]

[edit] List of Current NICS schools

  • Buenos Aires International Christian Academy (BAICA), Buenos Aires, Argentina
  • Highlands International School, La Paz, Bolivia
  • Amazon Valley Academy, Belem, Brazil
  • Brasilia International School, Brasilia, Brazil
  • International Christian School, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Rhein International Academy, Weil Am Rhein, Germany
  • American International School of Accra, Accra, Ghana
  • Bandung Alliance International School, Bandung, Indonesia
  • International Christian Academy of Nagoya, Nagoya, Japan
  • West Nairobi School, Nairobi, Kenya
  • International Christian School, Lima, Peru
  • International Community School, Singapore
  • International Christian School, Pyongtaek, South Korea
  • Yongsan International School of Seoul, Seoul, South Korea
  • International Christian School, Uijongbu, South Korea
  • International Academy of Suriname, Paramaribo, Suriname
  • NorthStar Academy, Southaven, MS, USA
  • Academia Cristiana Internacional de Caracas, Caracas, Venezuela

There are also three Current Oasis schools: One in Asia and two in Central Asia

[edit] References

  1. ^ National Liberty Journal, “From Humble Beginnings to Worldwide Impact,” April 2000
  2. ^ Desoto Times Today, “A Trip Abroad Changed His Life Forever.”
  3. ^ Network of International Christian Schools | Mission and Purpose
  4. ^ Oasis International Schools - An Organization With Schools Around the World

[edit] External Links