Atlantic Christian School is an independent, college-preparatory Christian school founded in 1971. The non-denominational, co-ed school provides an educational program based on God’s truth and a Biblical worldview for children from 2 years old to the 12th grade. The school is dually accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the Association of Christian Schools International. A Board of Directors elected by the Atlantic Christian School Association oversees governance of the school.
The school first held classes in the Parish House of St. John’s By-the-Sea Episcopal Church in Ventnor City, New Jersey. For 33 years, the school operated out of leased facilities – in seven different churches and two public school buildings. In January 2004, Atlantic Christian School opened the doors of its current permanent school facility on a beautiful 37-acre campus in Egg Harbor Township. A 68,000-square-foot, two-story building provides classroom space, as well as a library/media center, computer and science labs, art and music rooms, a gymnasium, and a multi-purpose auditorium. Outdoor facilities include playgrounds, a school garden and greenhouse, and athletic fields for intramural and inter-scholastic soccer, baseball, softball, and track. Two annex buildings opened in 2011 to provide four additional classrooms. Another six annex buildings opened in 2015, which in the fall of 2022 became the location of the Early Education Center for children from preschool-kindergarten.
The 2023-2024 school year marks the 53rd year of the school’s ministry in southern New Jersey. Over these 53 years, fourteen dedicated and Christ-honoring educators have served as head of school. Since opening its permanent campus in 2004, the school’s enrollment has grown to annually educate 650-700 students from preschool to the 12th grade. Since 2007, the school has welcomed international students, viewing this as an opportunity to carry out the “Great Commission.” Providing tutoring to students with learning disabilities has also long been a part of the school’s educational program. An average of 8% of the student population receives educational assistance through the school’s Resource Room.
Academic Excellence
ACS students achieved SAT scores in 2018 that topped the national, state, and Atlantic County public high school averages, according to statistics recently released by the College Board. The SAT is a national standardized exam that colleges use to admit students and to award scholarships.
These strong SAT scores are a reflection of the school’s commitment to challenging its students with a rigorous academic program that is rooted in a Biblical world-view. Highly-qualified and dedicated faculty members also play a major role in our students’ academic success, ensuring that they are prepared for success in college and the workplace. A significant number of ACS faculty have advanced degrees and teachers regularly participate in professional training and development.
The average scores of college-bound students from ACS who took the SAT in 2018 were 569 in the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) section and 564 in the Math section. These ACS scores were higher than the national and New Jersey state averages and the average scores of eight Atlantic County high schools, including Absegami, Atlantic City, Atlantic County Institute of Technology, Cedar Creek, Chartertech, Egg Harbor Township, Mainland, and Pleasantville (see chart).
Purpose
The purpose of Atlantic Christian is to give the youth of the county and vicinity instruction in all subjects usually taught in public schools, and to give such instruction in accordance with the tenets of Biblical Christian faith and the school’s Constitution, to the end that the student may grow in grace and the knowledge of God through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and become worthy citizens of our nation.
Mission Statement
The mission of Atlantic Christian School is to impact the world for Jesus Christ by nurturing and equipping students with a Biblical worldview through an accredited educational program.
Vision Statement
The vision of Atlantic Christian School is that its graduates will be:
- Trained in the knowledge and love of God and His Word
- Equipped to develop their unique, God-given gifts
- Academically prepared, spiritually equipped, Kingdom-minded, and morally grounded
- Inspired with a global vision for evangelism and service
Statement of Faith
- We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible authoritative Word of God.
- We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- We believe in the deity of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory.
- We believe that for salvation for lost and sinful man, regeneration by the Holy Spirit is absolutely essential and that this salvation is received by faith alone.
- We believe in the present ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life.
- We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost; they that are saved unto the resurrection of life, and they that are lost unto the resurrection of damnation.
- We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus Christ.3