Testimonials: Students

Aubrey

Grade 3

What do you love about EC?
It is a Christian school and we get to worship God everyday. I love going to chapel every Tuesday because it’s a time that I get to learn about God and we worship God through song together.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?
I learned a lot more Bible stories about God’s goodness and I’ve learned how I can help other people who are far away by praying for them. I can spread God’s love by encouraging people, writing letters, doing food drives, and telling people about God. You don’t have to be afraid to tell other people that God loves them!

If someone was thinking about joining EC but wasn’t sure it was the right school for them, what would you tell them?
If you feel like you want to learn more about God and want to practice praying daily, it can help you to begin good habits in your faith. EC shows you that reading your Bible, praying, and going to church are a way of living out God’s plan for your life.

Who is your favorite teacher and why?
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Sinclair because she gave me a safe place to work out my feelings and my friendships. She always reminded me that people love me and you’re not alone. God is always there for you!

What opportunities do you have at EC that you may not have at another school?
God is talked about in all of my subjects! It’s fun to explore how God has a hand in everything we learn about.

Stephen

Grade 12

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?
EC is much more nurturing than other schools. You are allowed to become your own as they steer you in the right track. Even if you get derailed, you can get a second chance sometimes and it can really boost your confidence and set you on a path for greatness.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite:
That’s not fair. I don’t think I can pick a favorite. So many teachers have shown that they cared in little things. They teach in a way that allows me to learn at my best, they are willing to fix their mistakes and learn from them, they are people that are like friends and parting with them is a little painful. I really can’t choose a favorite because all the staff has been so great and loving.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of their experience at Eastern Christian School?
When I first came, my faith was lukewarm. I think I really started to develop more passion after the apologetics unit in bible class. I learned not only how to defend my faith, but I saw it as something worth defending. If it is worth defending then it is worth following with all my heart. I pray at some point everyday, usually in the morning and evening, I have started read the bible with the goal to eventually read the entire thing and changed my heart to more eagerly accept the guidance of the Lord.

The Eastern Christian tagline is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How do you experience an education that is engaging, nurturing and transforming at EC?
Well, I was engaged slowly. Freshman year there was maybe one of two classes that I gave my all because I just wasn’t interested. Junior year is where that changed. I was enthralled with my classes first semester and a lot of that positive energy carried me to the end of senior year. My development in the faith has been nurtured through the guest speakers in chapel, Christian faculty, and well structured bible classes. I can honestly say that I have been transformed into a respectful, God fearing, intelligent, young man thanks to EC.

How do you feel that EC is preparing you for graduation, college and life? What are your plans after you graduate?
I took some college level classes so I have a little taste of the college experience. When I graduate I plan on attending the University of Maryland and obtaining a degree in Aerospace Engineering and get a job designing jet engines.

What sets EC apart from other schools?
Staff. It really is the people we see everyday that makes this school unique. You can transfer curriculum, you can transfer schedule, you can transfer anything you want in EC, but without the amazing staff that’s at EC, anything else will continue to fall short.

Andrew

Grade 12

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?
I love the community at Eastern Christian. Fellow students, faculty and parents support students in their extracurricular activities whether it’s sports, music, theater or other clubs. As a student athlete, I always appreciated when the school community would come out to our soccer games. Their presence always added to a more exciting atmosphere.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite:
Mr. Zacharias is one of my favorite teachers because he is always willing to help inside and outside of class. His teaching style made math more understandable for me.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of their experience at Eastern Christian School?
I’ve been at EC since Kindergarten. The years of being taught from a Christian worldview have strengthened my faith and reinforced what I’ve learned at home and at church. Through challenges I have come to trust more in God’s plan for my life.

The Eastern Christian tagline is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How do you experience an education that is engaging, nurturing and transforming at EC?
The teachers and faculty at EC are approachable. You can engage in conversation and build relationship with teachers. The EC community is nurturing. Staff, students and parents make up a strong, supportive community. EC has transformed me into a more confident student, a stronger athlete and a more mature Christian.

How do you feel that EC is preparing you for graduation, college and life? What are your plans after you graduate?
Through supportive teachers I have learned to be an advocate for myself. I understand the importance of communicating with teachers and building relationships with them in order to get the most out of my educational experience. I’ve grown in my confidence and that will help me in college and life. This fall I will attend St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, NY to study Sports Management and play on their D-II Men’s Soccer Team.

What sets EC apart from other schools?
The teachers and students set EC apart from other schools. The teachers are always willing to help you with any questions you have. They support you in your school work and other activities. EC is a supportive, friendly community.

Tara

Grade 9

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?
There are so many things I love about Eastern Christian, but what really stands out to me is the love that fills the building. The teachers truly care for each and every student, and I have made some incredible friends. New students are welcomed with open arms, as I was when I first came to EC. We learn about God and His love for us in every subject and have times to praise Him and serve as His hands and feet.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite.
I honestly could not pick a favorite teacher. While they all have their different personalities and fun quirks,  they share the same goal: to see us succeed and help us grow in our relationship with the Lord. The teachers come up with the most creative ideas to help us learn. I love learning about science and history from teachers with the same beliefs and values as me, as opposed to a public school where the state required teachers to teach us history and science from an evolutionary perspective. Also, I love how in High School’s SOAR program, we are encouraged to explore our inner creativeness and discover so many God-given talents that we may not have realized we had.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?
EC incorporates faith into every aspect of school. We always start and end our day in prayer, but every moment in between we are learning and growing in our faith, whether through discussing our beliefs in our classes, devoting an entire class to studying God’s word and understanding it, or putting what we learn about God’s word into action. The teachers model wonderful examples of what having faith in God is like and are people who I look up to, not just as a person, but for their faith in Christ.

The Eastern Christian tagline is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How did you experience an education that is engaging, nurturing and transforming at EC?
When I first considered transferring to EC, I was worried that the grass seemed greener on the other side from where I was standing at the time. But the truth is, they water the grass on the other side! They give us the tools we need to achieve our goals and be the best we can be. And while we are getting to our goals, they nurture us along the way. The teachers at EC truly want to see us succeed and are willing to put the effort and time into helping us reach our goals.  When they say “Engaging. Nurturing, Transforming.” they truly mean it. They engage you in service to God’s people and dive into the Bible, teaching you all about it. They nurture you, encouraging you and always being there for you. And transform you, giving you confidence, knowledge, and faith.

How do you feel that EC prepared you for graduation, college and life?
EC has provided me with a fantastic education. They gave me all the tools I need to succeed and are willing to put extra time in, other than just class time, to see me succeed. Not only have they given me such a great education, but they incorporate faith/character building exercises to make sure that we continue to grow in our relationship with the Lord. EC teaches the importance of being the hands and feet of Jesus, while also showing us that serving can be fun too! They teach us how we can serve and then encourage us to get out there and actually serve.  Having faith/character building exercises incorporated into school has really provided me with such a well-rounded education.  I realize the financial sacrifice that my family is making to send me to EC, and I truly do  appreciate and value my Christian Education.

What would you say to a new student considering joining Eastern Christian School?
When I was considering switching schools to EC halfway through 7th Grade, I shadowed at EC, LOVED it, and then started having second thoughts about whether or not I actually WANTED to switch schools. Thinking about it is one thing, but actually doing it is another. Its tough, leaving everything I’d ever known to go somewhere completely different. My mom, an EC alumni, asked me if when I was in EC’s school building, if I felt like I was home. At that time, it was hard for me to think of any school as home, but once I actually got to EC, and experienced school from EC’s perspective, I could absolutely say that I was home. EC is my home away from home. The students and teachers are all one big family and it’s so nice to know that they are all there for you always.

What opportunities do you experience at EC that you don’t think you would have gotten to experience anywhere else?
EC is such a tight knit community where we all care for one another, praying for each other, comforting one another in hard times, and celebrating the good times. While we are such a tight knit community, it’s not hard for new students and their families to become a part of that tight knit group. When I first came to EC, I was welcomed with open arms and have become part of our big EC family. I had never experienced such a wonderful group of people and am so thankful to know them.

Alyssa

Grade 4

I’ve been at Eastern Christian School since I was in kindergarten. I’ve always loved how nice everybody is here and how helpful and caring they are. I have learned to trust and love God more and more here. I’m so glad my parents send me to EC. If they didn’t, I have no idea where I would be. EC is an absolutely amazing school and I feel like it’s helping me engage in my relationship with God. It is transforming me to be a better person and leading me closer to Christ Jesus. Overall, Eastern Christian is the best school ever!

Hannah

Senior, Class of 2016

I am a firm believer in the idea that one’s environment makes a huge impact on their character and growth. There is no doubt in my mind that God placed me at Eastern Christian High School my junior year for a reason. I had been challenged academically before, but transferring to EC came with new challenges that engaged my mind, nurtured my spirit, and prepared me to transform the world, just like their motto upholds. Classes not only challenged me academically, they have changed my worldview. Learning about history was not about getting a good grade, but rather made me think about how my life today has been impacted by great men and women who have gone before me. I am encouraged to not be satisfied living an ordinary life, but rather one that will inspire students like me in years to come to take stands for their values, to stay updated on current events, and to live for something bigger than themselves.

Eastern Christian offered me opportunities to share my own unique voice through SOAR, Connection Groups, Choir, and Cross Country and track teams. Through seasonal concerts and talent shows I have been challenged to jump out of my comfort zone and become confident in myself and my abilities. At EC I felt like my individual voice was something of extreme value and was never overshadowed. Through discussion-based classes, I was able to speak my opinion without fear of judgement and I was able to learn to listen with an open mind and a discerning heart. By the example of those in authority at Eastern Christian, I have been encouraged in my faith and have been given the opportunity to go to Guatemala and Lynn, MA on mission trips. Wednesday mornings became one of my favorite parts of every week because Chapel was not only a refreshing break from a challenging week, it also served as a time where I was convicted and also encouraged in my faith.

Academics and extracurricular activities at Eastern Christian have engaged the mind and have nurtured the spirit in me these past two years. As I head off to college, I feel confident, comfortable, and excited to do my part in transforming the world.