The Christian School vs. Public School Debate

I recently read an article concerning spiritual reasons why Christian children should be sent to a Christian school vs. a public school.  The article heavily cites the book by Diane Dekker, Two Trees of Knowledge: A Biblical Case For the Separation of School and State.

The article makes a good point about being unequally yoked with the world in the education of your child, though it is debatable on how much of a 'yoking' really exists between parents and the public school system in actuality, and it is apparently and falsely assumed that no Christian teachers exist in the public school systems.
The article also brings into question parents who think they are sending their children into the public school system (the "devil's camp") to 'make their faith stronger' or to 'defend their faith' and finishes that point with saying that no where in the Bible are people sent into the enemies camp to receive training to make their faith stronger.  Also cited in the article is the statistic that Christian kids who attend public high schools tend to abandon the faith by the end of their first year in college to the tune of 75% - 90%.

I have a fairly unique perspective on this matter.  I have attended both Christian and public schools as a student, my children have/are attending both, and though I'm a full time pastor I also have the opportunity to be a part-time substitute teacher in the public school system here in my community. I'm certainly not against a Christian school education whatsoever, and in some cases it may be the best place to send one's child.  However I have some concerns with some of the article's assertions.  

Here are my observations:

1. I think it is falsely assumed that a public school is automatically the devil’s camp and the Christian school is God’s camp – what determines whose camp it is - a Bible class is offered?  Does ungodliness abound in the public school?  Without question.  But the truth is there are ungodly people everywhere we go (even church) and the dirty little secret in Christian schools is that many of its students are just as ungodly as the students in the public school.  The main difference is that in the Christian school it's kept on the down low.  The students are often as good as wearing their "God mask" as some of their parents are on Sunday mornings.

The deal is - as Christians living on this planet we are aliens no matter where we go.  Every ‘game’ for us is a road game. No where in the Bible are we promised an easy road in following Christ - in fact it is described as narrow and difficult.  But nevertheless, as a Kingdom believer everywhere I set my feet is God’s property – I live in the victory and authority of Jesus name and by His Spirit I have the ability dictate atmospheres not be buffeted by them.

2. The article mentions not believing the myth of sending our kids to the public in order for them to be 'strengthened' or 'trained' in their faith by having to frequently defend it.  My thought here is - if parents are sending their kids to any school to have them 'trained in their faith' they've already dropped the ball.  The primary responsibility of passing the baton of faith onto our children rests firmly and squarely on the shoulders of parents.  When I send my kids to which ever school - it's not in hopes that they'd be somehow trained in their faith. In fact while at the Christian school just the opposite began to happen - I found myself praying that they would maintain their faith in the lukewarm, faithless atmosphere that permeated their "Christian" school. 

Having witnessed the Christian school firsthand – I found that it was just as tough to ‘defend’ the faith in a Christian school as it is/was in a public school - maybe harder because at the Christian school the attack was subversive.  Many of the issues I dealt with were with people who supposedly had a relationship with Christ.

Just in case any doubt remained in me about what is going on with many Christian school students - they've been erased as I've seen their Facebook profiles.  It's quite sad to see what is said, posted, with some even blatantly stating that they are agnostics and atheists!  It could be easily argued that maintaining an on fire, passionate relationship with Jesus Christ is actually MORE difficult in a deluded, pseudo-Christian atmosphere than it is in a blatantly non-Christian environment.

3. The article cites the statistic that around 75% - 90% of Christians kids reject the faith in secular college.  The problem is this statistic is an across the board stat for ALL church going kids - regardless of whether they attend a Christian or public school.  Again, check their Facebook pages mom and dad - you may have already lost them and not know it yet.  Perhaps after that first year of college is when they finally have the guts to let you know.

This very real (and heart breaking) statistic really may be more of a referendum on parents successfully passing a vibrant faith on to their children and perhaps the value of sending our kids to a Christian college rather than which high school the student attended.

The bottom-line is this:  Parent's must never take for granted their child's experience with God.  Never assume that just because they go to church with you that all is well.  Never underestimate the value of them seeing you live your faith out in front of them in a very real and radical manner and never underestimate the value of frequent spiritual conversations and applications in your home. Finally, never rely on a school OR a church for your child's spiritual training - they should only be supplemental to what they learn from you at home.  Their soul depends on it.

What are your thoughts?