While traditionally Christian schools advertise in religious venues, Rhema Christian School Principal Ray Hendriks has learned the Christian community is larger than the number of churches. Also, parents are attracted to the Peterborough private school for more reasons than a Christian education.

“While our primary purpose is to offer a Christian education and remains our reason for being, people are attracted because of the pleasant offshoots of that main branch,” says Hendriks.

One of those factors is “a good moral education” which Hendriks calls “a natural rendering of Christian education.”

Hendriks says parents also like the fact family members are engaged and involved in the school, partly because they’re paying for their children’s education, he says. That pride in the school community is something Hendriks believes parents considering Rhema feel when they enter the school’s front doors. “They see there’s a great likelihood of everybody being involved. There’s a really pleasant atmosphere.”

Parent Cindy Jindrich decided to enroll her daughter in Rhema this fall because she has seen the impact parents can have on the school.

"Because so many parents are involved at Rhema, I know the school will be well-run," said Jindrich in an earlier interview with rhema.ca

"Knowing that parents can get so involved is a big thing for me," says the mother, who originally planned to home school her daughter, Lexy.

In addition to parents being involved in the school, teachers have a sincere interest in the well-being and success of their students, says Hendriks. “It sounds corny but you can just feel the teachers love and respect the kids. The relationship between staff, students and parents is one that’s very close.” He says while that’s probably true in other schools, it’s evident in the Rhema environment. Rhema also strives for excellence in all areas from academics to athletics to the way it promotes the school, Hendriks notes.

As school leaders make an effort to appeal to a broader community, it doesn’t come without criticism. Some parents are “concerned” the reasons for choosing Rhema aren’t always the same. But Hendriks says, “As people are here for awhile they unite around that common reason of Christian education.”

back to top