Education at Cypress Christian School is approached from a biblical perspective that recognizes the sovereignty and authority of God. Attendant with this belief are a number of truths affirmed by the school:

1. God is transcendent, is spirit, and always acts in accordance with His loving and just nature. In addition, God in His Word places an eternal emphasis upon life. (Romans 11:36, II Corinthians 4:18, I John 2:15-17)
2. Men, and thus children, are created in the image of God and have unbounded potential to mirror the qualities and character of Jesus Christ. Further, man is born with a sin nature that has marred but not ruined God's image in man. Finally, we believe that man's greatest need is redemption through Jesus Christ and not education. (Genesis 1:27, Psalm 8:3-6, Romans 3:23, Jeremiah 17:9)
3. Jesus Christ reflects truth: truth about the nature of God, truth of man's need to be rightly related to God, and truth about the world He created. (John 14:6, John 17:7, Matthew 7:24-27, Psalm 19:1, I Corinthians 2:15, John 8:26, II Timothy 3:16)
4. The Bible is inerrant and authoritative. Because God both created the universe and appointed the writing of Scripture, no academic truth (man discovered truth) can rightly be in conflict with God's Word.
5. Although man may not perceive truth in particular circumstances, truth is unchangeable and not relativistic.
6. Biblical education focuses on what a person becomes rather than on what he knows. Therefore, knowledge is the basis for the development of wisdom and character. Further, the end of education is not the acquisition of status but to glorify God and fulfill His mandate to subdue and have dominion over God's creation.
7. Education is the prerogative and responsibility of parents. The Christian school is in partnership with the home to provide support and assistance in shaping a Christ-like view of truth and reality.

These beliefs are a part of every aspect of the education offered at Cypress Christian School.

Testing Philosophy

SAT vs TAKS: Our testing philosophy

Q. Why do CCS students take the Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) and public school students take the Texas Assessment of Knowledges and Skills (TAKS) test? 
A. The TAKS exam only tests to see if a student achieved the minimum standard (i.e.: 70%) at each grade level. It answers the question: Did the student master the basic skills of third grade, for example whereas the SAT determines advanced grade level understanding. Another shortcoming of the TAKS test is that it is given only in Texas, so any comparisons can only be drawn among students in one state.

The SAT, however, covers a wider scope of students and at a deeper level. It tests for the achievement of essential grade-level elements and beyond. And, it is a national test that yields benchmarks against students in other schools across the nation as well as Christian school students in ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International).

Q. Do middle and high school students use the Stanford Achievement Test for their college entrance exam?
A. No. Colleges are interested in a prospective student's Scholastic Achievement Test scores and that is a completely different test with the same (confusing!) SAT initials. Students entering seventh grade can take this test for a 'sneak preview' at how they will perform on the test as juniors in high school. The nationally-known Duke University Talent Identification Program uses this test to identify academically talented students who might enjoy innovative programs to optimize their educational development.

Q. What does CCS do with the SAT test results?
A. We track trends in student performance for each subject across the grade levels. We have over 10 years of data, which provides an excellent history for evaluating specific classes of students and trends in the school. While not the only parameter we use for evaluating our school programs, standardized tests do provide a useful metric for evaluating the end results of implementing new textbooks, classroom programs, teaching styles, etc.

Conduct Philosophy

As I Timothy 1:5 states, "the goal of our instruction is love." We want to teach and exhort students to love God and obey Him out of that love. It is our desire to see our students learn to love others with the selflessness of Christ.

Discipline is inseparably linked with the process of discipleship. The goal of our disciplinary procedures is to teach personal responsibility for one's actions, obedience to authority, and dependence on God and His Word. The biblical model we follow comes from II Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction and instruction in righteousness." The model we derive from this text revolves around a three-fold pattern of parental guidance:

1. Instruction of God's commands and right ways of thinking and behaving
2. Warning concerning natural and parent/teacher imposed consequences
3. Correction of misbehavior

At Cypress Christian School, we endeavor to thoroughly teach what is right and pleasing while keeping correction appropriate. Anger has no place in such a scheme because anger is essentially self-centered while discipline (love) is others-oriented. Love will, however, cause parents and teachers to take action that a student may not like even though it is ultimately for his/her best.

Guiding Principles of Conduct
Learning to live in the gentleness and truth of Christ is God's education goal for every person. Such a goal is the highest calling of a Christian school. Teaching each student to act in loving and responsible ways is of lasting value to him/her.

Order is a vital ingredient of a successful school environment. Many of our rules are for ordering procedures to allow the smooth functioning of the school program. While we do seek to apply biblical truths to our conduct and rules at school, many of the rules are based on the wisdom and judgment of the staff and administration. We strive to have reasonable expectations for the students at Cypress Christian School in the context of a lifestyle that is distinctively Christ-like.

Who's in Charge - That Jesus Christ is Lord is a foundational principle at Cypress Christian School. Christ has rule directly through His Word and a personal relationship with us and indirectly through parents and teachers in the life of a student. The Lord places children under the authority of their parents and gives parents responsibility for educating them. Cypress Christian School provides a resource for parents to use to assist them in that responsibility. In return, we ask parents to recognize the school's authority over the children during the time they are under our supervision.

Gratefulness - Christians are commanded to express gratefulness continually (I Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude flows naturally out of a life that is dominated by God's grace. Grumbling and complaining ruin a spirit of enthusiasm and cooperation.

Total Release - Jesus Christ is our example of giving all our capabilities to God totally and unreservedly. Two biblical principles apply here:

1. Do everything heartily as unto the Lord, and
2. Do everything to the glory of God.

These principles mean that in spiritual growth, academics, social life, athletics, and any other area, we are to do our utmost to bring honor to Christ.

Respect and Esteem - Philippians 2 instructs us to "consider one another as better than ourselves" or, in other words, to put others first. Protecting the dignity of all students is our aim. Malicious talk can do more harm than physical wounds.

Relationships - "When a man's ways please the Lord he causes even his enemies to be at peace with him." (Proverbs 16:7) Clearly our relationship with Christ is the foundation for our relationships with others.

Christian Emphasis/Character - We seek to live out an exciting faith in very practical daily matters. God calls us to be Christ-like and to be transformed. For this reason, the application of Christian character is central to the goals of the school.

Honesty - We seek to have all students learn the value of honesty and the serious consequences of dishonesty. Lying, cheating, and stealing are considered very serious offenses and will be treated earnestly by the faculty and administration.