The word aspirational gives our mission focused energy. It sets our work apart and gives us a benchmark for our efforts. It tests our fundamental approach as educators: Do we treat students as a checklist, a test score, or someone who simply needs to pass a grade? Or do we encourage them to pursue the absolute most out of life, viewing them as individuals with unique, God-given purpose?
When we are young, we naturally carry big dreams—to be firefighters, astronauts, athletes, or artists. We also tend to carry absurdly specific childhood fears. Looking back, many of us spent way too much time worrying about:
- Quicksand: Expecting it to be a monthly life hazard as an adult.
- The Bermuda Triangle: Fearing we’d randomly get sucked into it on a weekend trip.
- Swallowing Chewing Gum: Believing it genuinely took seven full years to digest.
- Piranhas: Fearing they were lurking in every local river or lake.
- Escalators: Watching with extreme caution lest they swallow our shoelaces (or our entire body!)
As we grow up, we eventually outgrow those irrational fears. Unfortunately, many young people are also forced out of their dreams and aspirations along the way. That is deeply tragic, and it is entirely contrary to what God intends for us.
In Genesis 1:26–27, God outlines humanity’s original design: “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky…” That original design involved ultimate adventure, creativity, responsibility, and direct relationship with God. While our broken world has made life harder, that fundamental identity remains. Every student possesses a distinct design.
In our chapel times we often distinguish between what is “good” and what is “best”:
- The Good: Understanding biblical wisdom improves life outcomes regardless of personal faith. It yields healthier relationships, better work ethic, reliable character, and social stability.
- The Best: Knowing Christ personally, discovering true peace, and living with eternal hope and purpose.
An aspirational education refuses a settled, “good enough” mentality. It builds self-worth by reminding students that their future is not dictated by their family background, socioeconomic status, or past academic struggles. When we teach students to work hard, develop character, and dream about how they can serve others with humility and empathy, we help them reach for the very best.
NEXT TIME: FOUNDED on Biblical Principles: Putting Truth into Daily Practice