A Canadian research firm has found that evangelical schools have a profound impact on the students who attend them, with a new report indicating that Christian high schools, in particular, “help students remain faithful as young adults.”
The report, titled, “Walking the Path: The Religious Lives of Young Adults in North America,” found that these high schools have a lasting impact on students — one that is independent of socio-economic status, family influence or even church life, according to a statement from Cardus, a Canadian-based firm.
The 24-page report noted three specific differences between evangelical Christian school graduates and those who attended public schools: devotion to Christian teachings, frequency of prayer and church attendance and a devotion to the faith of their childhood.
In the end, students from Christian schools are more likely to believe that Jesus is the only way to salvation and that the Bible is an infallible document — traditional church teachings.
Meanwhile, they’re also more likely to read the Bible, pray, tithe and attend church on a regular basis, and are less likely to switch religious traditions.
As it turns out, students who have attended evangelical Protestant schools are also more likely to believe that “they hold a job that fulfills God’s calling in their lives.” This is helped along, of course, if students also attend a Christian college, as the two institutions are then seen as working hand-in-hand in helping shape lasting worldview.
Plus, students who have gone to evangelical Protestant schools in the U.S. are more likely to have kids and be married, the report indicated.
Dr. Beth Green, education program director at Cardus, said that, while church and family are certainly important to a young person’s spiritual rooting, there are clearly other elements at play.
“Church leaders, parents, and educators must know and understand just how important attending Christian school can be in bolstering young adults’ faith,” she said, explaining the importance of Christian education. “We must maintain Christian schools as an option for as many families as possible so that everyone who wants to can have access to Christian education.”
Read the report in its entirety for yourself here.