Ninety percent of Christian schools opened this fall for in-person learning

Not only did 90% of Christian schools open with in-person learning during the fall semester, they also reported steady or increased enrollment numbers, according to a report by the Association of Christian Schools International.

With the constant change of learning methods and schedules that public schools had this fall due to coronavirus mandates, most the Christian schools offered in-person learning, with two-thirds of schools saying they also offered students the option to learn remotely. 

“Close to 90% of Christian schools delivered on their promises to open with in-person instruction for the 2020-2021 academic year,” Dr. Lynn Swaner, ACSI chief strategy and innovation officer and the report’s lead author said. Although these schools began the school year with in-person learning, it is unclear how long they remained in the classroom setting.

The ACSI study found that schools focused on safety as their top priority and implemented guidance and alterations needed to protect students. Schools reported little to no disruption from the spread of the virus within the school community.

“Qualitative data suggest that this uptick in new student enrollment at Christian schools is due to families’ dissatisfaction with the distance learning or limited on-campus instruction offered by other area schools,” the association observed.

The report included enrollment trends, special education and changes to extracurricular activities and sports.