Muskoka Christian School sees enrolment increase
Wednesday, November 29, 2006 Michelle Strutzenberger
A Christian school in the Muskoka region has seen a 25 per cent increase in enrolment over the past year. Todd Jones, a parent and Board-member, says he believes that the increase has been catalyzed by a number of factors.

First, he says, the caliber of staff at the school has been essential to both bringing in and keeping students.

“[We have] excellent and dedicated staff who are not only able to provide top-notch education for our kids, but have the personality to get along with everyone and show much grace,” says Todd. “From the principal down, we have a staff that give 100 per cent and see their role at the school as not just a job, but as a powerful ministry for each child and the community at large.”

A second essential to the school’s growth has been the board’s willingness to look around, look ahead, develop a plan and stick to it, according to Todd.

“Our school Board was courageous enough to question everything about how the school was being operated,” he notes.

In spring of 2004 the Board and membership began a process of creating a five-year strategic plan. With the assistance of a professional the board evaluated where they were presently and where they wanted to be in five years.

With some tweaking, the plan has been “diligently followed ever since,” says Todd, adding that it has been ambitious, and has required much discipline to keep moving it ahead.

In his opinion, though, it has made a significant difference for the school.

The school has also been active in increasing its exposure in the community over the past year. This has included print and radio advertising, arming parents with school information to share with other prospective families, consistent newsletters to the general membership, Web site rejuvenation and some tuition incentives for bringing in new families.

While these essentials have contributed to the changes at the school, Todd concludes by saying that “having an extremely well run school is the key. Word gradually gets out, when there are good things to share, and that is happening here at Muskoka Christian School.”