Mission

Scholars Online merges appropriate distance-learning technologies with exceptionally rigorous classical educational content to equip its community of students, parents, and teachers to pursue truth faithfully and to live the life of the mind in Christ.

Core Beliefs and Guiding Principles

Core beliefs guide the decisions Scholars Online makes when approving budgets, adding or removing curriculum options, contracting with teachers, and creating community forums and events. The core beliefs have been expressed consistently in the past on our website and blog, and reflected in decisions of the Board of Directors. Here we state each one explicitly, along with a statement explaining how we put the belief into practice.

We believe in the truth of the Christian faith as outlined in the historical creeds of the church, particularly the Nicene Creed, and we hold our teaching vocation as part of a larger Christian ministry.

Accordingly, we require that all our teachers confess the faith of the Nicene Creed, but we do not require of them allegiance to any particular Christian tradition. We require no statement of faith from students or parents; we believe that the witness of our faith should not be limited to those who already adhere to its terms. We expect both students and teachers to treat the beliefs of others with respect.

We believe that truth, not dogma, is the ultimate measure of the value of any system of education or system of belief, and that the honest pursuit of the truth for its own sake is the proper impetus for any educational process as well as its only valid modus operandi and its only legitimate outcome.

Accordingly, we believe that all topics can be undertaken respectfully and with a view to the truth, and that any position advanced in the pursuit of the truth is worthy of serious consideration, whether it corresponds with our other beliefs or not.

We believe that the pursuit of the truth is a lifelong obligation for all people seeking to know their place in the universe and in the divine economy. Our teachers seek to continue to learn and grow along with the students.

Accordingly, our classes are open to people of all ages and background. We offer a scholarship program to extend our services to persons unable to pay for instruction.

We recognize that in this process different people will have different understandings of the truth, and that mutual respect is essential to the peaceful and successful continuation of the process.

Accordingly, we encourage robust discussion and permit passionate disagreement within the bounds of respect and charity for differing views. At no point should it descend to ad hominem attacks, bullying, or any coercion of speech or thought from any end of the political, social, or theological spectrum.

We recognize that the pursuit of the truth will inevitably involve failures and reversals, but we believe that such failures ought not be causes for shame, discouragement, or regret, but should be viewed as a corrective to guide the further pursuit of the truth.

Accordingly, we believe that a student’s success or failure in a local situation should be taken as indicative of neither the student’s personal worth nor his or her chance to succeed in the future, and that any prejudicial disregard for another in light of past failures of any kind erodes the foundational respect owed to all people engaged in our common pursuit.

We believe that all truth is God’s truth, that there are no degrees of truth or exemptions from it. We believe that God has purposed us to live and act in community, and that a community of scholars pursuing truth is a proven model for fruitful engagement with the world.

Accordingly, we seek to engage all teachers and students in the pursuit of learning in a community context.

Scholars Online is a nonprofit corporation registered in the State of Washington, operating under IRS Code 501(c)(3) as a tax-exempt public charity.

Scholars Online is fully accredited through the Middle States Accreditation Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools.

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