The Benefits of Private School 

A Teacher’s Testimony

Parents want the best for their children. Concerns about public schools (and our culture) have many looking for other options. But what are the benefits of private schools? Are there enough pros to justify the extra expense?

As a private University-Model school, our opinion may be a bit biased, but we’re not the only ones who see the benefits of private school.  Adolesco Prep isn’t just a better environment for students. Here’s a short encouraging testimony one of our teachers wrote for an internal newsletter last year.

And, let me say, we are so thankful for her!

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Gratitude

Written by Orlisa DePhillips

We in the Christian community are no strangers to the word gratitude, yet how often have we delved into its complete meaning? Webster defines it as: a warm and friendly feeling toward a benefactor; kindness awakened by a favor received; thankfulness. WordNet’s definition is similar and adds this use in a sentence: “He was overwhelmed with gratitude for their help.” I Thessalonians 5:16-18 instructs us to:

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. 

How, then, do I approach gratitude? Does God’s plan of salvation and Jesus’ sacrifice merely cause a warm and friendly feeling toward my benefactor or am I overwhelmed with gratitude for God’s mercy, pardon and favor? Am I aiming to model my sincere gratitude after Apostle Paul’s admonition to give thanks in everything? This is not an easy task for a natural man or woman to accomplish.

Certainly, I may succeed in giving thanks for the good blessings, but am I capable of being truly grateful for the challenges, hardships, and pain that life has brought? I then notice how the phrase before instructs me to pray without ceasing. This reinforces that I cannot be truly grateful in my own strength.

I must ask God to help me be more aware of his immense mercy and favor on a daily basis. 

How does this apply to my life? When the public schools closed in March 2020, I retired after working in education for thirty-five years. During that time, I taught high school science, served as a high school counselor, and taught special needs students.

Truthfully, I appreciated the short break the school closing provided. Simply put, I was beyond tired. The public school’s myriad curricula were abysmal, and the lack of respect and discipline led me to make a life-changing decision. When the “short break” became an extended time off, I decided not to return to the classroom. At first, this brought a sense of relief. However, after a short period, I began feeling adrift and lacking purpose.

Volunteering and substitute teaching at church were meaningful but didn’t require much of my time. I often asked, “Is this all there is?” I prayed and began searching for opportunities to return to the workplace, but obstacles always prevented me from working full-time.

Opportunities were few and far between and nothing seemed right until I answered an advertisement to teach at Adolesco Preparatory Academy. 

I thank God every morning as I drive to work. I’m thankful I work in a distinctly Christian school that teaches character formation while expecting academic excellence. What have I done to deserve such an amazing opportunity? Absolutely nothing! Like all of God’s unmerited favor, He blessed me with this return of purpose. He quietly said to me, “The race isn’t finished; I have more for you to do. You sought purpose in life; you still have it.” I am overwhelmed with gratitude to God for this chance to continue the good fight while standing alongside the wonderful students, parents, and staff at Adolesco Preparatory Academy.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

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Benefits of Private School?

Clearly, Orlisa is thankful for our Adolesco community, one of the benefits of private school.

If you have teaching experience and would like to be part of our community, please give us a call or send us an email. We’d love to get to know you and see how you could be a part of our distinctly Christian community. Or, if you are a parent who understands that thankful teachers are just one of the benefits of private school (specifically Adolesco), then register for our next parent meeting, and let’s cultivate the extraordinary together!