Country Christian School, Inc.

I am on staff at Country Christian School and I feel the need to speak to some of the comments posted by the parent who posted on July 27, 2012. While it is true that not all of the teachers are credentialed, of the three teachers in the 5th-8th grades, two have their Bachelor's Degree and their teaching credential and the third has a Master's Degree and has passed the CBEST test. In the lower grades, the average time a staff member has taught there is 18 or 19 years. These teachers work for less than half of what a public school teacher makes. They do it because they love their students and they love their job. As to the comment that the curriculum is outdated, the school is run by a board that helps to review the curriculum. One of the board members is a credentialed teacher and another was an administrator here at a Bakersfield school. This is only the third year that we have had a 7th and 8th grade. We purchased all new curriculum for the class two years ago, and because it was just updated we purchased new books for two core classes again this summer. I hope this helps to clear up some of the questions. Please, feel free to call the school if you have more. Thanks
—Submitted by a teacher

CCS you rock keep up the great work! Thank you for your dedication to the children and open door policy to the parents. Our family looks forward to many more great years!
—Submitted by a parent

Our children attended Country Christian School and we loved the school - for the first few years. We found that in the upper grade levels there were flaws in the educational processes. Teachers are not credentialed, certified, and many do not have a college education. The materials are outdated and students do not always have the same text books. The students are pushed to get from point A to B in the educational material with very little attention paid to comprehension and understanding; other than passing or failing an exam. There is a lot of homework and parents are left to supplement the students learning. Public schools, even gifted programs, do not have this much homework. I believe the excessive homework is due to a failure on the school s curriculum and overall educational program. Students who are not average will not do well in this setting. There is no assistance for students with any learning disabilities; nor are there any school support resources. Country Christian School is a good school with an emphasis on Christian values, but there is definitely room for improvement.
—Submitted by a parent

I would live to brag about Country Christian School for a minute. Our family sings the praises of this fabulous school. We are almost at the end of this school year and my husband and I are so pleased with the progress of our children. Both teachers have done an exceptional job at preparing our children for their upcoming year. I have watched not only our own children but others grow in their love for the Lord. The academics we have found to be above the pubic school school standards and though our children were challenged to study hard and pressed to go above where they felt they were capable it has proved to bring them self confidence for what they are really capable of. Thank you to the staff and Mrs. Rose for following the passion to teach and mentor these young people for their future journeys that the Lord will carry them through.
—Submitted by a parent

I have two children at Country Christian School and they both love it. Both my wife and I were concerned that my daughter would struggle when she started Kindergarten this year, but she has done very much the opposite. The staff has worked with her and she now enjoys having me sit in her room while she plays teacher and reads to me out of her books. My son is in second grade and loves his class. He hates being sick, because he knows he's going to miss school and has even tries to convinces us that he's well enough to go just so he can attend school. It is our goal to send all of three of my children to school through 8th grade.
—Submitted by a parent

I am so sorry for the experience that the other parent had but I am also a parent of children at CCS and I could'nt disagree more with the statements made about the school. My children have attended CCS for many years. We have went through the complete lower and middle grade staff and are so blessed by the interaction between staff and students. The staff goes above and beyond to make sure that the children know they are loved and important. The students are held to a higher standard of learning and achievement which has its tough spells but I think the students are better for that. There will be times in their life when they will come against things that are tough and they are getting a great foundation for those times with God's word and the guidance of staff. It takes special people to teach children and not everyone is cut out for the job. Regardless of all staff being credentialed it is a staff that is gifted and loves what they do. The success of the students is evident that it takes more than a credential to be great teacher. May the Lord continue to richly bless CCS with abundent prosperity and growth!!!
—Submitted by a parent

Wonderful Christian people but the curriculum is outdated and they lecture the kids all day as if they were in college. Student participation in class is considered "interrupting" the teacher. The focus is to cover the book from side to side in less than a year, so the pace is extremely fast. But the worse part is the discipline; the kids call the school "the boot camp", do I need say more?? My child got in big trouble for sharpening his pencil, he didn't get up or anything he did it while sitting at his desk. Kids are not allowed to talk at all. It is ridiculous. Most of the teachers are not credited and in my opinion, the teaching style is not age appropriate, not is it comprehensive. If your child needs any type of academic accommodations, this is not the school for you, they will not put in the time to help your child. After observing in the class several times, I pulled my child out.
—Submitted by a parent

Ms. Rose knows every child by name. The curriculum is very thorough so that each child is well equipped for the next grade. I love that so many parents get involved and are supportive. The older students also encourage the younger. When a student is learning within a framework of love, he can't help but thrive.
—Submitted by a parent

We have the best, most loving teachers. Our wonderful Principal Ms. Rose keeps the teacher/student ratio per class room small so there is more time spent with each child. My daughter has truly excelled in this school, and she will go there all the way through to jr high.
—Submitted by a parent

This is a wonderful school I agree with the other parent about the family atmosphere.
—Submitted by a parent

Love the small size of this school. They give my kids plenty of attention. The kids are not just taught they are actually assisted in learning. They are also taught moral character and how to be better people.
—Submitted by MARK SORRELL, a parent