ABOUT

Philosophy of Christian Education
Academic Excellence at New Life Christian School finds its roots in the mainstream of Christian history. Our teachers challenge students to think deeply about complex contemporary and ageless matters, while students probe the nature of truth and its application to daily living. Students at New Life sharpen each other as they question, debate and challenge eachothers ideas, concepts and theories. Quality education at New Life Christian means accepting learners: mentally, spiritually, physically and academically as they have been created. It means teaching students at their individual level of understanding and providing instruction at a pace at which they can succeed to their highest potential.

Vision
New Life Christian School was established to participate in the “training up” of our students academically, spiritually, socially, and emotionally to be prepared for service in the Kingdom of our Lord, Jesus. Being non-denominational does not mean for us a characterization of a ‘mush God gospel’, quite the opposite, ours is a directive to make the words and reality of the Christ—living, as grace would empower us and obedience directs us. Ours is a faith that requires adherence to the clear directives of God to be both possible to accomplish, a blessing to live under their accord, and the way, the truth, and the life. Examples might be Jesus’ proclamation that there is a greatest commandment to love the Lord you God with all your heart, all your mind, all your soul, and all your strength. This being only possible through the power of grace to accomplish what we cannot through our own strength and opens the door to fulfill Jesus’ promise that “my joy may be in you and your joy may be complete.” John 15 That all theological debate be submitted to the clear command of the Christ when he says if anyone would come after me he must deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.

Accreditation
After pursuing New York State Regents High School registration early on, the board of New Life Christian School decided to pursue a New York State Board of Regents Charter. New Life Christian School was granted a provisional charter by the New York State Board of Regents in 1995, which was made permanent on September 18, 1998. At that time we were the smallest school in New York to receive that credential. We have also enjoyed membership in ACSI for well over a decade.

Core Values
Our philosophy might be likened to a double-edged sword. One side is an imperative to elicit the best in scholarship possible from each student, not merely by filling heads with facts, but by teaching the skills of critical thinking, reasoning, and communication, which are increasingly becoming obsolete in our generation. The other edge, by God’s command, is to participate in the raising up of a holy nation for service in the kingdom of our Lord Jesus. At times, people of faith have been quick to use their rite of separation as an excuse for educational mediocrity, often in conflict with public institutions. Ours is a faith that demands virtually the opposite view. We recognize and embrace the doctrine of separation, yet our calling is clearly to the highest standards of excellence: that each student be given patient instruction and opportunities to develop his or her God-given talents to their full potential.

History
New Life Christian School was founded by Dwight and Cindy Coords along with like-minded young Christian families, on September 4th, 1979, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Olean, New York. In 1983, the school made the move to Franklinville, New York, which also housed New Life Christian Fellowship. This building was a blessing and much growth was made to further the future vision of the school in the Franklinville location. In August of 2007 the school purchased the former North Hill Elementary School Building in Olean, NY, in an act of obedience towards God who had spoken to the directors that the school should be moved in order to meet a greater population. Here is where the New Life Christian School is currently located.