The attainment of academic, spiritual, social, and cultural experiences of quality that are provided within an alternative
educational setting designed to accomplish twelve explicit objectives is the mission of Faith Elementary and Middle School.
To achieve its mission, the school must receive economic support from diversified groups and individuals.
The purpose for founding and operating this school is to offer a challenging academic Christian education to boys and
girls of all faiths without malice or bias toward any denomination or persuasion; to offer a thoroughly rigorous academic,
basic education to boys and girls of all races, creeds, colors, ethnic membership, or national origin; to promote, foster,
and otherwise uphold good discipline, to develop, adopt, and build on programs emphasizing the following characteristics:
- Christian Growth and Positive Character Development;
- High Academic Achievement;
- Responsible Citizenship in school, home, church, and community;
- Promote the ideals of Individualism, Tolerance for Diversity, Self-Help, Business Ownership, and Individual and
Cultural Pride.
The school is much in need of financial support. However, though It has many needs. the school is well on it's way of liquidating old debts and moving closer to fiscal stability, Faith Elementary is Christ-centered, community oriented, and a school where maximum student academic success and welfare are paramount It's services are offered in wholesome, safe, and attractive environments and facilities leased by the Veterans of Foreign War, Post 9962. Further, these offerings are, in part, made possible by the increasing collaborative efforts and support of school leaders, faculty, staff, parents, students, charitable individuals, families, businesses, churches, corporations, foundations, organizations, philanthropists, and associations supportive of education and staff development. In acknowledging support sources school leaders rely heavily upon counsel offered in Romans 4:17, (paraphrased): "Calling those things that be not as though they are…."
- To Offer Challenging Academic Training in a Structured, Christ-Centered, Teacher-Directed Learning Environment where optimal student development is the object of teaching and nurturance.
- To Maintain a Well-Ordered, Disciplined Setting in Which Students Study and Practice Respect for self and others.
- To Motivate Each Student to Reach the Maximum of His or Her Capacity to Prepare Himself or Herself for a Satisfying Life in America's Mainstream - Spiritually, Culturally, Economically and Technologically.
- To Encourage and Inspire a Positive Self-image in Students.
- To Develop in Students a Strong Foundation in Basic Elementary Skills and Concepts to Enable Them to Function Successfully in All Academic and Moral Areas.
- To Encourage Cooperation and Active Involvement Between the Home, Community and School in the Training of the Students.
- To Emphasize Positive Role Models for Students, Using Biblical, Local, State, National, and International Personalities.
- To Teach an Awareness and Appreciation of Individual Differences and History Relative to Cultural, Racial and Religious Orientations.
- To Direct and Motivate Students to Develop a Desire to Excel in All Pursuits of Life.
- To Provide the Best Education Possible for All Students in Relation to the Statements of Faith, Philosophy, Mission, Objectives, and Purpose of the School, Regardless of Race, Religion, Sex, Nationality or Ethnic Heritage.
- To Teach Students the Value of Entrepreneurial Activities in our Capitalistic Society by the Development and Implementation of Self-help and Self-directed Projects as a Viable Method of Improving Economic Stability for Persons and Groups in American Life.
- To Provide Training in Personal and Group Leadership Through Public Speaking and Program Participation.
We believe in the existence of one triune God, Whom in unity, manifests Himself in three persons, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe that the Bible is inspired of God and is the authoritative revelation and will of God for teaching relationships and obligations of righteous living among humans. We believe that humans are accountable to God for their thoughts, decisions, and actions.
We believe in the sacrificial life and gift of Jesus Christ to atone for the sins of humans. We believe in His intercessory work in heaven on behalf of mankind. We believe that salvation rests with God through His son Jesus Christ. We believe it is incumbent upon individuals to accept the gift of salvation and to permit the Holy Spirit to produce righteousness in their individual life as expression and evidence that He is indwelling one's life. We believe that those who practice the teachings of Jesus should be charitable in their attitude and conduct and tolerance of non-Christians to present a positive influence toward their conversion and salvation.
We believe in the ministry of angels among humans. We believe that the Holy Spirit is active in influencing one's understanding of what is right and wrong and the application of Scripture in our lives. We believe the Holy Spirit's contacts and influence in one's life will be consistent with what the Bible teaches.
We believe that God is desirous that all humanity be saved; We believe that Christian education is a strong and effective medium through which God works to help and to save adults, children and youth.
We believe that Christ-centered training provides the knowledge, nurturance, and empowerment to a child's so that he or she will be prepared to make important life choices.
We believe it is the responsibility of the church, home, and school to teach children that they are the creation of a loving, powerful, and helpful God. We believe that as Creator and Redeemer, God is the ultimate authority in one's life. We believe that children and youth should be taught to obey authority figures, whether in family, church, community, state, nation, or the world communty, as long as expectations from them are not inconsistent with the revealed will of God.
We believe that God severally endows each child and youth with abilities and resources consistent with His will for his or her life. We believe that it is incumbent upon each parent, student and teacher to make conscious efforts to achieve up to his or her maximum individual potential as an expression of acknowledgement and gratitude that God is the Giver of every good gift, as Scripture teaches in James 1:17.
We believe in the existence of Satan and hell of the Bible. We believe that mankind is caught-up in the controversy between good and evil, as explained in the Bible. Nevertheless, we believe in an All-Wise, All-Powerful, and Ever- Present God, whom is able and willing to help all who call out to Him for help in accordance with His will. With the help of God we believe that individuals can realize their best possible situation and, or learn how to endure hardness, which can develop faith and trust in God.
We believe in practicing the presence of God, even as children. The Bible teaches us that God will always be with us. We understand we need the support of His presence. We believe we should endeavor, by the Spirit of Christ, to live in harmony with His teachings so that we may be instruments of helping others toward salvation and improvement in their quality of life.
We believe that the beginning and end of faith is not our perception of what God has done, or what God can do for us. We believe that faith is a gift from God which grows one's relationship with God is developed, and an understanding of His Words nd is learned and accepted.
Finally, we believe in the effectiveness of prayer. We believe that God wants to assist us in making an acceptable offering to Him of our lives, and also in doing good for humanity and other living things and our physical environment. We believe that prayer brings us closer to love, appreciation, and acceptance of holiness; and as a result, increases and improves our methods and quality of thanksgiving and praise to God for Whom He Is, rather than for what we want, or what He has done for us.
We believe that Satan is against the school. We believe some officials have been overly zealous in trying to defeat the school, due to some of the financial struggles Faith Elementary has had to suffer. This, we believe may be the case to some extent, due to some lack of sensitivity for the impact of historic economic and racial privations on some minority and economically challenged citizens, who attempt self-help projects to make a difference, whereas, this type of unfunded project may not be needed. Also, the school believes that the fact that citizens who get more help and realize greater success in shorter periods of time, in their efforts to address perceived community challenges among more advantaged citizens does not necessarily suggest that poor people who want to help others or help themselves, should not attempt projects such as Faith Elementary.
We believe that some officials and persons of means and influence have been sensitive and helpful to the school We believe that the independent status of the school is a blessing to our community. We believe that few able individuals or entities in the community, know of, or care enough about the great financial and other needs of this independent, non-profit, that does not belong to a church or denomination, which may influence them be more involved to provide the best they can in directing much needed support on an on-going basis, to keep the school not only operative, but also improving.
We believe the school has been unduly challenged, due in some part to, lack of funding, lack of state-of-the-art facilities, to some naiveté as to, how to get all administrative tasks accomplished efficiently and effectively,, so as to keep the school out of harms way, i.e., revenue collecting entities, but that our deficiencies have been identified and that we are committed to a path of successful funding and fund-seeking, and to continued stability under and by the grace of God.
In all things, we believe that God has been faithful to His promises "to be with us"; We believe God has blessed our student products, and will, in His own time, assist us in necessary improvements and resources. We believe that when God comes through in His strong way, He will enable us to not only remain in operation, but to assist more students to secure a disciplined, Christ-Centered Education, while learning how to think more and more highly and positively about their self-worth as individual creations of God, and as Christians; and if not Christian, we will be able to assist our precious students in becoming better persons, able to live with others in an increasingly diverse world. We fully believe that God will bless us to attract the resources, and gain the knowledge that will make our visions for students, staff development, and appropriate facilities, reality and bring further glory to His name.
Faith Elementary and Middle School is not owned by any church. The school is not a member of any church organization. The church welcomes support and participation from all churches and other religious and non-religious organizations. Some donations from organizations and churches are both solicited and voluntarily donated given. To survive as a Christian school, the school depends upon the good-will of churches, other religious, and also, non-religious organizations and people.
The school is independently organized and operates independently of all churches and other organizations. The school is interested in membership in organizations such as Association of Christian School International for accreditation and other educational purposes. It has a similar interest in The Association of Elementary Schools of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Likewise, the school enjoys friendly association and contacts with other Christian schools, other non-public schools, and also public schools and institutions of higher education. The focus of the school's interest in these schools is primarily educational and cultural enrichment for students. A measure of staff development is also a way in which this school benefits from association with other schools.
Faith is proud and grateful to have enjoyed the loving and willing support of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Dover and Vicinity (IMA), under the superb leadership of its president, the Rev. Dr. Richard M. Avant. The IMA has made an at least $500.00 per year donation, for nearly each year of its existence, and several times, in amounts much greater, even up to $10,000.00 in one year, having been founded the same year as the school, 1982. During the winter-spring of 1999-2000, IMA leaders, the members of its various member churche constituencies, in cooperation with Mr. John Vincent, owner of the then Christian radio station WQVL, Heaven 1600, Dover, held a live broadcast praise-a-thon as a special fund raiser for Faith during a very critical time in its history. As a result $41,206.00 from this beautiful cooperative effort was donated to the Delaware Division of Revenue and IRS. The support was substantial. It was necessary and saving.
The combined cooperative efforts will always be counted and recognized as a tremendous expression of love. This level of support is indicative of the level of support a school of Faith's type needs on a regular basis. Our school also provides services to community schools, churches, and organizations. This has been done through opportunities for practicum experiences for college students who later enter the profession of teaching. The school has accepted requests for such arrangements informally with various professors at Delaware State University and less frequently from Wesley College and the University of Delaware over the years. Faith students are often used as program participants and leadership roles in their respective churches in various kinds of services. Faith students perform a minimum of three annual programs for parents and the public, often in local churches or public auditoriums, which are well received and often inspire children and youth leaders to train their children similarly.
In its association with churches, organizations, and persons, the school will not knowingly participate or allow participation with persons, churches, or organizations that are known to be discriminatory in their policies and operations against minorities or anyone on the basis of race, national origin, skin color, ethnicity, or other discriminatory standard.
Faith Elementary and Middle School, Inc. is proud to be a school of the community; and the school is equally proud to be blessed with the participation, support, prayers, and fellowship of all people within the context of the school's statements of faith, philosophy, mission, objectives, and interest in providing challenging academic and character training to boys and girls. The school has been comparatively poor during its existence. Understandingly, this fact has reduced its appeal to some parents, some individuals seeking employment, and to some other individuals and entities who might otherwise be serious supporters or financial sponsors. That admission having been made, we consider it more important to hasten to add that the faith, prayers, tangible support and participation of those parents, families, churches, and others who have demonstrated consistent interest and support for the school over the years, not withstanding, the school's financial, in appreciation for the fact that the school exists and is doing a credible job in helping community children and families is the human part of the equation that keeps faith open.
School leaders and staff have consistently been willing to offer services to students registered at great personal sacrifice in their considerable commitment to help as many students as possible. The school plans to systematically solicit funds from foundations, corporations, churches, businesses, and individuals for operational budget, debt reduction, capital improvements, and curriculum changes, all geared to attract more diversified participation on all levels of school life.
Yes, Faith is different; but the difference is a very good difference. The school intends to continue to maintain its independence, but increase it's efforts in affiliation with individuals and other organizations to enhance and support it's offerings to more community students and families who can benefit from its unique offerings and structure.
