You make an excellent point – the truth that not all children may attend local Christian schools. This is the exception, not the rule. Remember Joseph in the Old Testement was not able to get a “good Jewish education” and because of that God poured out His grace. My concern is for families who choose “things” rather than a Christian education. I doubt God will pour out His grace in such a situation. I suggest you specifically ask the Lord to give your son a special measure of His grace.

One more point. You state that “because Christian schools are, by definition, private schools and not supported by state/federal funds, they are not required to provide such services”

There are ways Christian schools can work with a wider group of children. However, many difficulties arise. First, the expenses are HUGE. My school does have children with Autism and learning disabilities. Where we provide services the parents have to pay an extra tuition. Where the state schools provide services they do not.

Another “hidden cost” of working with special needs children is not so easy to “add up” but is none the less very real. The huge amount of extra work on teachers is a very real cost. Unfortunately, the parents of special needs children are often over worked and just hanging in there. While they may be extremely grateful, they rarely show it. Instead, they will often be the first to share their concerns when things do not go right.

Many Christian schools attempted to work with special needs children but eventually gave up feeling very defeated and unappreciated after absorbing huge costs and fielding many complaints.

All that being said, at Delaware County Christian School we have a remarkable woman, Dr. Susan Hutchison, who through her persistence, expertise and sheer will power, has made it possible for many such children to attend our school.

May God bless you and your son and may He pour out a special grace for your situation!

Mark, I would love, love, LOVE to send my child to Christian school. But one point that’s not addressed in your blog is this: the families of kids with special needs.

My son has autism. The nearest Christian school in my area does not provide the services he needs (speech therapy, occupational therapy, ect.) And because Christian schools are, by definition, private schools and not supported by state/federal funds, they are not required to provide such services.

We take our son to church, where the teachers there try VERY hard to include him; we pray with him every night, we talk about God with him. But right now we don’t have a choice other than public school. Private schools, we cannot afford (and yes, we do drive older model cars that are paid for!), and we are NOT cut out for the job of Christian home schooling. Although if the school system continues the way it’s been going, we may have to consider it. I don’t want my son learning “values education” at the expense of him learning to read, write, do math, and learning social studies and science.

Your arguments for Christian education are good ones. I’m just pointing out that there is another side to the story.