Michael Evans is currently serving as the assistant regional director in the ACSI Mid-Atlantic Regional Office. Before joining ACSI in 1998, Michael taught in Christian middle schools in Connecticut. He earned his BA in elementary education from Eastern College in Pennsylvania and his MA in Christian school administration from Oral Roberts University in Oklahoma. Michael was very instrumental in the formation of the Philadelphia Association of Christian Schools (PACS) and the Christian School Network (CSN) of Washington, DC. Both of these new organizations exist to network Christian schools and maximize effectiveness through sharing resources, information, expertise, and encouragement. Michael resides in Lancaster, PA, with his wife and two daughters and is an active leader in his church.
* 25 years as of 2002
Dr. Della Blair began a daycare for neighborhood children in 1977, but she had no idea what God had in mind when she started with a handful of children on the first floor of a storefront church in Philadelphia. Now, as Blair Christian Academy enters its 25th year of educational excellence, this school is a well-established ministry serving a diverse student population from preschool through high school, enrolling over 250 students. Blair stands as a model school in Philadelphia and has continuously demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
A recent endeavor at Blair Christian Academy was the formation of the World Ambassadors Program. This unique program was designed to create godly leaders with a global perspective and a passion to reach the world with the gospel of Christ. In addition to a comprehensive cross disciplinary curriculum and community service projects, students can go on an international trip each year. Past trips have taken students to Paris, Mexico, and Canada. In celebration of Blair’s 25th anniversary, students and other members of the school community will take a trip to Kenya, Africa, in June 2002, where they will meet with members of the Masai tribe, ride camels of the safari, and sleep under the stars.
Christian beliefs and the African-American experience are woven throughout the curriculum at all ages.
At Blair, students are taught to value the uniqueness of each person regardless of racial, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. The African-American heritage of many of the school’s students is integral to the school’s mission. Teachers assist students in understanding the rich history and contributions of African-Americans in all aspects of life. Christian beliefs and the African-American experience are woven throughout the curriculum at all ages.
During the upcoming school year, the art program at Blair Christian Academy will expand to include an art major and an apprenticeship program. The recent addition of an art/music room helps to accommodate private music lessons for students, various dance classes, and concert preparation. The computer science classes have changed from including just older students to including students in grades one through five as well. Students in grades four through six will compete in a citywide science fair, their participation being spurred on by successes at the ACSI science fair last spring and by a first-place award in a citywide fair last year.
Blair Christian Academy has taken a very active role in the development of the Philadelphia Association of Christian Schools (PACS), a network of Christian schools in the city to strengthen the urban family by offering Christ-centered education. Blair is one of eighty Christian schools in Philadelphia.Christian beliefs and the African-American experience are woven throughout the curriculum at all ages.
As Blair Christian Academy enters its 25th year, it is easy to trace the blessings of God on this school. Under the direction of Dr. Della Blair and her daughter, Dr. Karen R. S. Jenkins, the school anticipates continued success in training a generation to know, love, and serve their God.
The Meantime Volume 1 Number 1