Southern CA ENews
May ENews 2011
The U.S. Economy and ACSI Member Schools: A Regional Perspective
Many factors have played a role in the recent decline of Southern California schools, not the least of which has been a faltering economy. Often, school administrators want to know how the school challenges they face match up with regional Christian schools in general. To assist, we have plotted the growth and decline of ACSI regional membership, (Southern CA Stats) since Southern California became a separate region in 1987. (Note: From 1987 through 1995, the region included both Southern California and Southern Nevada. In 1996, Southern Nevada member schools were placed with the Rocky Mountain Region. This explains the slight dip in regional student enrollment in 1996, which otherwise increased each year until 2001) By comparing the following economic conditions to trends of growth and decline within ACSI So CA membership, one can readily see the impact recent economic factors have had on ACSI member schools. Most dramatic, the downturn of the U.S. economy since the end of 2007, has resulted in unprecedented school closures and student enrollment declines. The vast majority of school closures are smaller schools that simply did not have the financial reserves to weather even the slightest economic downturn.
Below is a summary of two recessions experienced by the United States since early 2001. Compare the decline in the graphs mentioned above with the recent economic realities discussed in the following paragraphs:
—Early 2000s Recession
A report on the history of U.S. recessions reveals that the 1990s were the longest period of growth in American history. The collapse of the speculative dot.com bubble, a fall in business outlays and investments, and the September 11 attacks, brought the decade of growth to an end. Despite these major shocks, the recession was brief and shallow. Without the September 11 attacks, experts tell us the economy may have avoided the recession altogether.
—Great Recession: December 2007–Late 2010
The subprime mortgage crisis led to the collapse of the United States housing bubble. Falling housing-related assets contributed to a global financial crisis, even as food and oil prices soared. The crisis led to the failure or collapse of many of the United States’ largest financial institutions: Bear Stearns, Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, Lehman Brothers and AIG, as well as a crisis in the automobile industry. The government responded with an unprecedented $700 billion bank bailout and $787 billion fiscal stimulus package. The National Bureau of Economics Research declared the end of this recession in late 2010.
Moving Forward
ACSI is encouraged that the 2010–11 school year reflects that even with fewer Christian schools in operation, student enrollments appear to be stabilizing throughout the U.S. Regionally, having conducted nearly fifty Christian school visits this spring, we are finding fresh optimism regarding student enrollments for the 2011–12 school year. Perhaps we will see the first increase in Christian school enrollments since the beginning of the 2007 recession. Let’s continue to make this a matter of prayer. We know God is Faithful! (Deuteronomy 7:9)
School Membership Statistics for Southern CA: 1987–2011
School Membership Graph
Student Enrollment Graph
Twelve Largest So CA ACSI Member Schools: 2010–2011
Olive Knolls Christian School Fire Update
As you recall from an earlier Southern California Regional Office email, Olive Knolls Christian School in Bakersfield experienced a fire early Saturday morning, March 5, 2011, that destroyed most of the elementary school wing and half of the three-year-old preschool wing as well as the administration offices of the school. With the hard work, commitment, and sacrifices of the school staff, church staff, parents, church and community volunteers, as well as the church making available its Family Life Center facilities, the Elementary and Middle School was up and running in two days and the preschool students returned after missing only one week of school.
We are thankful that the Pre-K wing is now very close to opening, and the school leadership and staff are looking forward to moving some of the classes out of the Children's Chapel, back into their classrooms. Kent A. Pedersen, Lead Pastor of Olive Knolls Church, reports that the school community is looking forward to finishing the 2010–11 school year well and greatly anticipating the 2011–12 school year in which not only new buildings will be erected, but new dreams will be dreamed!
Please continue to pray for the Olive Knolls school community as they adapt and rebuild. Earlier this week, Mrs. Schirlie Friberg, school administrator/principal, told ACSI that they could use a number of additional kindergarten chairs and low tables. If you have a surplus of chairs and/or tables, please contact Mrs. Friberg at 661.399.3303. Additionally, some ACSI member schools have given relief funds to the school. If your school would like to contribute you may do so by making checks payable to Olive Knolls Christian School Relief Account and mailing to:
Kern Schools Federal Credit Union
P.O. Box 9506
Bakersfield, CA 93389-9506