At Providence, we believe the education can truly be a “garden of delight,” filled with wondrous joy for the world that God created. As with any garden, it only grows when given nourishment, rich soil, and intentional care. We believe that this is best accomplished in the hearts and minds of our students when they experience this life modeled and lived at school, home, and church. Such a partnership is at the very core of who we are as a community of faith and learning, and we are delighted to invite you along on this rich journey. Such a partnership is dependent on three main ideas: shared and agreed-upon goals, healthy, Biblical communication, and parent engagement. At the intersection of these three goals you will find encouragement and contentment in the education of your family. Commitment encourages discipline. Discipline produces contentment. Contentment is food for your garden of delight. Join us as we walk the path to a successful partnership between your family and Providence.
Agreed-Upon and Shared Goals
One distinct and beautiful thing about Providence is the clearly established “telos“ – the end goal described in our portrait of a graduate. We – both school and parents – have a clear picture of the desired outcome of a providence education. Together we work backwards from graduation to our youngest grades, assessing the school’s curriculum and culture for their alignment with the portrait of a graduate. In joining the Providence community, families are agreeing to the objectives captured in that portrait.
Additionally, we strive to clearly communicate the educational and cultural core beliefs of Providence as a Christian and classical school. These core beliefs include our statement of faith as well as our classical distinctives such as pursuit of students hearts along with their behavior; instruction in Latin and logic; commitment to Christian theology and standards of morality; the cultivation of students affections through the study of great literature, art, and music.
These goals and beliefs make up the non-negotiable 90% that defines us as a school. These goals and beliefs serve as the engine for both our curricular and extra-curricular offerings. When you as a family and we as a school agree on this 90%, the other 10% can be approached with graciousness and flexibility. Such an agreement (for example, the portrait of a graduate) allows each of us to set aside preferences in uniform details, class parties, and the like. When we disagree on these non-central issues, there is opportunity to compromise. We should give preference to others before ourselves (Philippians 2:2-4) and choose contentment.
Walking shoulder to shoulder in agreement on the major objectives, the 90%, can avoid much of the distraction and division that so often plagues school communities.
NOTE: If you are in question about the 90%, I encourage you to stop reading this blog and review the Providence statement of faith, portrait of a graduate, vision and mission, and Foundational Commitments. We have compiled them on our website.
Healthy, Biblical Communication
Partnering well requires healthy, biblical communication from everyone in the Providence community. The school must communicate the goals and priorities mentioned above; teachers must communicate students academic, social, and emotional progress; parents must communicate questions, concerns, or helpful information about their children. Communication must only happen with the person to which the family handbook directs. In keeping with Biblical principles and a desire to avoid gossip at all costs, administration, teachers, parents, and students must not communicate grievances with anyone other than the appropriate Providence party. For example, classroom related concerns or questions must be directed to the teacher. School related concerns or questions must be directed to the head of school.
A key to healthy communication is understanding the power of the tongue, taking our word seriously. The tongue is a tool, a weapon, that can cause great good as well as great harm. It has the power of life and death. As Christians involved in gospel community with one another, we should take great care that our words are life-giving, full of grace, and a source of encouragement at all times. When they are not, we must repent to God and to those we have offended. This is required of administration, teachers, parents, students, and the entire Providence community. Some of the surest indicators of true gospel-centered relationships are admitting mistakes and confessing sin toward one another. This must be practiced both on and off campus by everyone that is a part of the Providence community.
Parent Engagement
Scripture is clear when it commands parents to be in charge of their children’s education. Consider Ephesians 4:6: “Raise your children in the instruction and admonition of the Lord.“ It is because of this that we have carefully chosen the word “engagement“ rather than “involvement“… we are cultivating a Christian Paideia in our students that can be done only when joined with the parents of Providence.
While parental involvement – volunteering, attending school events- is important and necessarily fluctuates with seasons of life, parental engagement signifies a deeper desire to join children in what they are learning as well as to join other adults and families of the Providence community to provide support for students as they learn how to navigate life with classmates. Being a part of the Providence community means not only partnering with the school but also with other families God has brought together in this important work. This is why ‘riding the fence’ is not an option at Providence. It takes a commitment – commitment that will radically transform your family.
Four years ago Tate and I chose to say “yes” in obedience to the Lord. We never could’ve imagined the growth that our family would have in the process of such a simple yes. I invite you to consider why you are here, year after year. Are you here because you think it is the best option in Tifton? That might be good enough to stay. Are you here because you want your child in a bubble environment? I hate to break it to you, but your child will not be in a bubble at Providence – nor will he or she be in a bubble at any other school. This is not healthy, nor is it God‘s desire for our children. Perhaps you are here because you see something that intrigues you and draws you in; there’s a community of people moving in the same direction and you want to be a part of it. That reason might be enough, but you will have to get dirty along the way.
For some, getting dirty means acknowledging your own educational shortcomings (much like me), addressing the unaddressed issues that you have been able to sweep under the rug every time they begin to creep out, and growing in disciplines that you thought you might be able to avoid such as reading, prayer, communal fellowship, and the like. Going to church when you feel like it and getting rid of your child a few hours a day is not going to bode well at Providence. We are a community, growing together and working together, for the sake of the gospel and future generations. We are #RaisingDefenders.
Providence School of Tifton 