FAQs

Below you'll find answers to common questions we hear from parents who are considering Dayspring Academy. Please call us at 717-285-2000 or contact us if you have a question that is not answered here.

Why should I seek a Christian Education for my children?

The Bible clearly teaches that the responsibility of education belongs to parents, not the State. Proverbs states that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Only by teaching our children the Truth as seen in God’s Word, will we ensure that they can adequately meet the challenges of a secular world and affect that world dynamically for the cause of Christ.

Is Dayspring accredited?

Dayspring Christian Academy is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. More info »

Just what is the Principle Approach, anyway?

The Principle Approach is a philosophy of education, a method of teaching, and a curricular approach all rolled into one. In fact, The Principle Approach is a way of life. It brings the basic truths and principles of God’s Word into the mainstream of our everyday lives rather than allowing the secular-sacred dichotomy of today’s society to rob us of becoming everything God desires us to be. The Principle Approach is Biblical Christian education. It is a restoration of the form of education that prevailed throughout the first two hundred years of our nation’s history.

Who publishes the Principle Approach Curriculum?

The Principle Approach does not rely upon a prescribed or packaged curriculum written by some publishing company. Instead, each teacher masters his or her subject area by employing the 4 Rs of research, reason, relate, and record. Much emphasis is placed upon searching out original documentation rather than depending upon biased or secularized interpretation of others. The Foundation for American Christian Education and other Principle Approach organizations also provide key resource material, including the Noah Plan – a comprehensive Principle Approach curriculum overview.

Will my child use the same textbooks as other government and Christian schools?

Students do use textbooks for skill oriented subjects, by and large, though, textbooks are used as resource tools. Students and teachers alike develop highly specialized notebooks that become the primary teaching-learning tools. This enhances the internalization of the material to be learned and creates a sense of ownership which increases long-term retention and application.

Besides academics, what other emphasis is there at Dayspring?

Out of the heart of man come the issues of life (Proverbs 4:23). Much emphasis is placed upon character development. This centers upon the foundation of learning the principle of Christian Self-Government and God’s Principle of Individuality. At every grade level, Dayspring students are taught to aspire to the character of Jesus Christ and are exposed to godly examples in their teachers who are a “living curriculum” before them.  

• Dayspring's Mission, Vision & History (including our 4 pillars)
• Doctrinal Beliefs

Are the teachers at Dayspring qualified?

The success and quality of education at any school depends to a large extent on the people who work there. Being a church-related Christian School; we are not bound by state certification and indoctrination requirements. Every Dayspring teacher is highly qualified educationally with a minimum of a bachelor’s degree and many with advanced degrees. Our teachers exhibit not only the technical expertise necessary to educate children, but a calling of ministry in the area of teaching. Dayspring teachers undergo extensive and ongoing professional training in The Principle Approach and other relevant educational practices.

Does Dayspring provide for special needs of its students?

We see each child as a unique individual (God's Principle of Individuality), created by God with special gifts and talents. Students with learning difficulties are provided for in a variety of ways in the regular classroom setting. Our P139 program offers services to students of all learning levels. Our enriched, classical curriculum enables students to reach their full potential in creativity and higher level thinking skills. Dayspring offers the National Institute for Learning Development (NILD) program for students with significant learning difficulties.

Can Dayspring use OSTC funds to help pay some of the tuition for students from struggling schools?

Dayspring is happy to partner with the Opportunity Scholarship Tax Credit (OSTC) program.  Because of this program, we can offer some tuition assistance to students who would need to attend a school (individual school, not district) identified as failing by the PA Department of Education. How does the OSTC program work? The Commonwealth determines which schools fall into the bottom 15% of public schools and identifies those students as being eligible to receive OSTC tuition assistance from private schools.  However, being part of a failing school is not a guarantee of a full scholarship at Dayspring.  The funds are not unlimited; the amount of money available through OSTC varies based on the number of contributors to the program. The OSTC program allows businesses to partner with schools to defer tax payments that are usually paid to the state to scholarship organization schools like Dayspring.  For example, 10 businesses can choose to defer their tax payments to Dayspring, for a total of $100,000 being available at Dayspring for qualifying students. To qualify, a family must complete the following:

1. Submit an application to Dayspring online through our online application form. You must complete an application for each child you want to enroll.
2. Bring your child to Dayspring for New Student Intake Testing, which the Admissions Office will coordinate with your family.
3. Bring parents and Upper School children (entering grades 6-12) for your New Family Interview, which the Admissions Office will coordinate with your family.

After you are accepted, Dayspring’s tuition assistance process requires that all parents who want to be considered for any form of Tuition Assistance complete our Tuition Assistance Request application, which is processed through our third-party tuition management system, FACTS.  FACTS helps Dayspring determine how to allocate tuition assistance funds to help as many families as possible, and available OSTC funds are factored in at this time.  To ensure consideration for Dayspring’s Tuition Assistance program and OSTC, please apply for assistance after completing steps 1-3, as listed above, by April 17. For information about ways your family may benefit from OSTC support, contact John Riddell, Finance Director at jriddell@shorinji-kempo.net. If you own a business and want to help Dayspring support families from failing schools, contact John Riddell or Joanne Martin, Development Director, at jmartin@shorinji-kempo.net.