Cedar Park Church
16300 112th Ave NE
Bothell, WA 98011

p: 425.488.3600
e: info@cedarpark.org

Service Times:
Sundays:
9am, 10:45am, 6pm

Radio Show Times
7:00am KLFE 1590AM
7:30am KGNW 820AM
9:30am KCIS 630AM
10am KKOL 1300AM

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Opening a New Branch Campus Considerations Used by Cedar Park

This is a study done by Cedar Park Christian Schools Superintendent Clint Behrends in preparation for the opening of the Everett School Campus.

Satellite Campus Plan
CEDAR PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS
RATIONALE AND PLAN FOR SATELLITE CAMPUSES
IN BELLEVUE AND EVERETT

In a day when many churches are groping for creative methods of influencing an increasingly pagan world with the message of Christ, Cedar Park Assembly of God has established one of the most effective and needed ministries possible for reaching the Eastside community. Cedar Park Christian School was founded in 1982 as a ministry of Cedar Park Assembly of God with eight preschool students. Since that time, CPCS has been blessed with steady growth allowing the opportunity to influence many new families with a Christ-centered education.

Over the years, Cedar Park Christian has been privileged to be able to help support many solid Christian homes as well as homes in borderline situations searching for guidance. Cedar Park Christian Schools, and others like it, offer a means of influencing these homes toward Christ and traditional values in a non-intrusive and cost- effective manner.

THE HISTORY OF CEDAR PARK CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

The history of Cedar Park Assembly of God is a heritage of growth and vision. Pastor George Johnson, renting the facilities of Peter Kirk Elementary School in Kirkland, started Cedar Park Assembly in 1970. In 1975, the church bought five acres on Juanita-Woodinville Road and built a 13,000 square foot building including a sanctuary seating 300 with additional educational space.

In 1981, Pastor Joe Fuiten replaced Pastor Johnson and continues to lead the Cedar Park congregation. His vision has served as a guidepost for those attending the church over the last several decades. The vision of influencing the Puget Sound region with the gospel of Christ through a variety of ministries including Cedar Park Christian Schools has served as a beacon for many in the congregation and has attracted those of like thinking.

In 1983, the growing church purchased eleven acres of land near the I-405 interchange of NE 160th in Bothell, Washington. Soon, a 45,000 square foot facility was constructed which seated 1,200 people with additional educational space for the Christian school. Since the construction of the present church structure, which houses a portion of the school, several additional buildings have been constructed on the property including the Chapel of the Resurrection, an internment facility, and four additional educational facilities consisting of thirty-eight classrooms and 45,000 square feet. A large donation provided the church with an additional 19 acres directly south of the present location. The intended purpose of this property was for development of a new high school and a retirement facility. Several years later, another 19 acres was acquired to the north of the original site for the purpose of additional educational expansion.

The original vision for the school was to construct a single new high school that would be supported by the elementary school on the same campus. In 1996, the permit process to build a high school facility was initiated with the City of the Bothell with the anticipation that construction would begin within a year or two. Bureaucratic delays and problems have postponed securing a final permit for more than six years with construction now scheduled to begin in the fall of 2002. This permit delay has created a situation in which the Bothell campus of Cedar Park Christian School continues to be well over maximum student capacities. The present Bothell facility cannot serve the number of students currently enrolled in addition to those who continue to come up through the present system; therefore, satellite campuses were sought for further growth. The objective in these satellite campuses will be to establish schools with separate identities and personalities, but with common environments, curricula, and philosophies.

THE CEDAR PARK CHRISTIAN ENVIRONMENT AND PHILOSOPHY

The environment at Cedar Park Christian School is perceived by the community as unique and has allowed Cedar Park the opportunity to build a strong school community with the means to expand to new locations perhaps unavailable in years past. The school does not discriminate on the basis of color, race, or national or ethnic origin in its policies or programs. However, CPCS reserves the right to select students based on its own criteria of spiritual commitment, academic performance, and personal qualifications including a willingness to cooperate with the school administration and to abide by its policies and regulations.

It is essential for parents and students to realize that attendance at CPCS is a privilege, not a right, and that such privilege will be revoked from any student who is not willing to conform to the standards of conduct established by the school. Each parent (and secondary student) is required to sign a statement to that effect.

CPCS seeks to aid parents in the spiritual growth of their children, but recognizes that the school is not solely responsible for the child’s development. While church membership is not required, it is expected that Cedar Park students worship our Lord regularly with their parents at the church of their choice. Eighty-five percent of the current student population attends other churches than Cedar Park Assembly of God. This high percentage of outside attendance creates a very eclectic school community and necessitates that leadership be very conscientious in establishing the vision and foundational standards of the ministry.

The school ministry has suffered from a lack of consistent leadership and has seen six administrators during its early history. This lack of dependable leadership led to many relational sub-groups with a variety of negative perceptions regarding leadership within the church. Uncertainties evolved as to who were the true leaders of the ministry. Teachers, school board personnel, and parent groups attempted to fill the void caused by continual changes in administration. The attitude of many staff with longevity was that administrative leaders would last only a year or two, resulting in understandable doubt and mistrust. Students and families suffered from this instability and inconsistency.

With the many changes and challenges throughout the years, there has also been a degree of contention within the church concerning school expansion. Construction has not progressed as originally presented and as a result, families became somewhat skeptical and pessimistic. Consequently, Cedar Park Christian School contracted a firm to conduct a study of the climate regarding the school and church ministries. The results substantiated what the leadership had suspected: Families are very happy and satisfied with the church and school as a whole, including the quality of the ministry, academics, social atmosphere, activities, staff, and administration. A few remain skeptical regarding assurances that were made about construction of physical facilities that are yet to be fulfilled. This skepticism with the physical facility remains important, as it represents the seeds of mistrust and dissent for borderline families if high school construction plans are delayed longer.

The present situation within the school ministry is one of cautious optimism. The negative tide which was prevalent three or four years ago has given way to renewed vision and confidence. The motivation for founding the Cedar Park Christian School ministry was the desire to establish a clearly Christian perspective of teaching and a philosophy clearly unique from the secular educational environment. This philosophy and curriculum are based on the truth of God’s Word.

Modern society and culture have increasingly rejected the traditional Judeo-Christian value system and embraced secular philosophies. This trend is also apparent in the church and Christian school settings. As a result of today’s culture, our students deal to some degree with the same challenges and pressures faced by students in secular schools. Drugs, smoking, fighting, vandalism, cheating, offensive language, stealing, and sexual impurity are not issues restricted only to secular society and our students are confronted with them from time to time. Because the secular culture and its accompanying values have become more pervasive over the past two decades, it is much more difficult to combat what has become too commonplace even within Christian cultures. To effectively combat such values, leadership must not only identify problems but must also develop strategies and processes to assist our students in becoming confident, mature Christians.

Therefore, the goals for Cedar Park students center on three basic areas: spiritual, social, and academic. The school exists primarily to prepare students in these three areas which we believe are essential for success. The overall spiritual goal is to either introduce students to Jesus Christ as their personal Savior or help students who have already accepted Christ to continue to grow in Christian character and in developing a Christian worldview and mindset. With this in mind, the school must assist students in developing a firm relationship with Jesus Christ that is evidenced by conducting their lives in a way that honors Him. The school must also teach students to interpret Biblically the basic ethical and moral dilemmas prevalent in the culture and to see their faith as a cohesive overlay affecting every area of one’s life. This process includes hiring distinctively Christian teachers and using curricula that integrate Jesus Christ as the only source of truth, addressing issues from a Christian perspective.

Socially, students have the opportunity to build healthy relationships with peers through activities such as athletics, drama, music, and social gatherings that offer healthy avenues for the development of relationships. Courses such as health, which supports parental authority and Biblical views of sex and male and female relationships, and other courses instruct students from a Biblical perspective. All counseling efforts attempt to instill Christian values and direct students back to the Lord.

Academically, Cedar Park Christian’s goal is that CPCS graduates be prepared for success and view learning as a lifelong process in which they desire to excel. Students should score above grade level as compared with national averages and other Christian schools.

Every educational situation has two distinct tools that can be utilized to either draw students into reliance on our Creator or separate them from Him. Of course, at Cedar Park Christian Schools there are additional opportunities to influence students. Chapels continually expose students to teachings and opportunities for repentance, renewal, or acceptance of Jesus Christ as personal Savior. Discipline methods offer students occasion to experience God’s truth and mercy. They are encouraged to view problems and conflicts from a Biblical perspective with repentance and restoration as the end objective. Clubs and organizations within the school offer opportunities to participate and lead while being mentored by Christian role models.

Many Christian homes of this generation do not have the knowledge and background to fully comprehend what the Bible teaches regarding families. From disciplining children to husband and wife relationships, there is a tremendous void in Biblical knowledge. CPCS presents families with scriptural principles in every area of life. Parent/Teacher Fellowship events, concerts, and drama presentations provide opportunities to teach, explain Christ’s love for humanity, and increase the exposure of families to the salvation message.

In the course of a school year many students have occasion to be involved in some type of counseling sessions. Whether it is regarding discipline or academics, during many of these meetings families share their frustrations and their need for help. There are numerous occasions when the proper question leads to self-examination and spiritual counsel.

Numerous newsletters are sent to the homes of CPCS parents on a variety of family issues including establishing Christian family values and raising Christian children in today’s extreme culture. The intent is to provide resources for parents and to provoke constant re-evaluation of their lifestyles.

Courses are needed and are being developed for parents concerning raising children, family values, responding to pressures of today’s culture, and developing responsible and healthy teenagers. The rationale for developing these mid-week courses is to help parents who are seeking aid in raising their family.

There are a number of work programs within the school that afford occasions for parents to volunteer in many areas of the school. These events also serve to bring parents into the network of church influence and assistance. Whether the need is spiritual or otherwise, parents have the opportunity to meet other Christian families and draw strength, wisdom, and encouragement when needed.

CAMPUS DESCRIPTIONS

The confidence and positive spirit that is currently present is assuredly short-term if expectations of a new physical facility continue to be left unfulfilled or if leadership fails to recognize the opportunity we have been afforded by virtue of additional campuses that will serve to broaden its ministry. A “window of opportunity” has developed in which CPCS has the potential to prosper if leadership has the foresight and ability to “seize the moment” and continue the definite momentum which has been initiated over the last years.

Such growth may continue if God chooses to bless and if leadership has the vision, commitment, and competence to implement a concerted plan to restore credibility and confidence to those who choose to follow.

In 2001, CPCS was invited to join with Neighborhood Christian School in Bellevue, and in 2002 with Northwest Christian School in Everett to take over their schools and operate them as part of the Cedar Park Christian School system.

Bellevue Campus

Neighborhood Christian School operates a pre-kindergarten through fifth-grade program along with the Nozomi School, which is a bicultural, bilingual, Japanese school for students in kindergarten through third grade. The campus is located in a predominantly business area with a mixture of residential neighborhoods approximately twelve miles from the Bothell campus. Neighborhood Christian currently has 90 students with a capacity for 120 students in a seven-classroom facility. The annual budget for the school is approximately $310,000. In the future, Neighborhood has the ability to develop five acres of space and construct an eight- or twelve-classroom building, similar to those constructed on the Bothell campus, thus allowing 300 students at Neighborhood Christian. Although there are other Christian schools in the vicinity that may take away from potential student registrations, Neighborhood does offer the potential to be a self-financing ministry. This is possible when the student count rises above 120 students and employee costs are limited to only teachers and supplemental staff. Both Eastside Christian and Bellevue Christian also have schools in the area and have wider name recognition at the present time. Neighborhood will need to develop a niche in the market highlighting its smaller size as a strength rather than a weakness. This can be done through emphasizing the development of the significant Japanese population in the Bellevue area, on which the Nozomi School may be able to capitalize. Additionally, many parents prefer a smaller school. Facilities are limited at this time and will need to be developed. Neighborhood Church has indicated they would be open to construction in the future.

Everett Campus

Cedar Park Christian School-Everett (formerly Northwest Christian School), is located in Everett, eleven miles north of the CPCS Bothell campus in a very desirable and easily accessible location near a business district, a hospital, and residential areas. The campus currently serves 175 students in pre-kindergarten through seventh grade. The church will continue to operate a daycare facility on the property. Everett has the potential for 600 students in a pre-kindergarten through twelfth-grade school. Future plans for the Everett campus include currently expanding the school through tenth grade and increasing one grade each year through twelfth grade. Everett is a growing area, one of the fastest growing in the state, and several housing developments are being built in the vicinity of the school. The nearest secondary public school is Jackson High School, which is actually in another school district and because of overcrowding is not accepting students from outside its district. Students in that vicinity must travel to Snohomish High School, which is a considerable distance. There is presently only one other significant Christian school in the area, which is a Catholic school. This school is also filled to capacity.

The Everett campus has been in a downward spiral and has lost students over the last several years for a number of reasons. Cedar Park Christian Schools should have a very positive affect on this trend and should bring a number of new students, particularly on the secondary level. It is our intent to build the student population in an unconventional manner by establishing a student body from the top down, rather than from the bottom up. Other Christian elementary schools in the area have approached CPCS willing to work with us in establishing a secondary campus. There is considerable room for student growth because the facility is under populated at this juncture.

Common Issues

During the 2002 school year all campuses will seek accreditation from ACSI, ACTS, and NASC thus establishing a common basis for the entire system and giving support to credibility and integrity for the other campuses. This attitude of credibility should transfer to additional student counts at each campus since the Cedar Park Christian School system is one of very few in the area to have such accreditations. Tuition rates, hours, and school calendars will coincide with the Bothell campus rates and calendar. The cost per student for operating Everett and Bellevue may well be somewhat more than at the Bothell Campus due to rental agreements. Our hope is that economy of scale may help because utilizing common supplemental staff for subjects such as music, computers, and P.E. will aid in limiting financial strain. The per-student cost at the Bothell campus has been approximately $3,600.00 annually. The cost per student at Everett and Neighborhood may be closer to $3,700.00 depending on the staffing issues and administrative costs. As the student population increases at each campus, the cost per student will also decrease correspondingly.

When considering the additional financial impact of having three campuses, the benefit of having additional feeder schools available for the high school should also be taken into account. Certainly, students who have a good experience at these campuses will be likely to continue on through secondary school, thus increasing the student base for the high school.

MARKETING

Infrastructure Concerns

Cedar Park Christian Schools have an excellent product and have built an outstanding reputation in the surrounding communities. Marketing our new campuses should be done with an eye toward taking advantage of this reputation. Christian families desire several things from a Christian school that we should be able to provide. Parents want high academics, a safe environment, good role models for their children, and a disciplined structure in a Christian atmosphere. Also desirable, but not as obvious, is a contemporary environment, which would include staff and facility.

Most of our clientele are of middle to higher economic means, married less than ten years, college educated, and working for companies such as Microsoft or Boeing or self-employed. Because the Everett area is growing so fast and new housing developments are being built within two miles, it should be reasonably easy to attract families in that community.

Advertising

In order to build a broad clientele base, it will be necessary to develop a planned promotional strategy. Investing as soon as possible in a systematic advertising program in the surrounding communities is essential. A series of direct mailings would be advantageous as a means of targeting specific locales and ensure the message reaches each home.

Because both the Bellevue and Everett campuses are located near major arterial intersections, installing permanent signs should be done as soon as possible. Additionally, banners should be produced publicizing the fact that the school is now under the management of Cedar Park Christian Schools and is accepting enrollment applications.

Another method of communication that would be valuable is for each building administrator to contact local churches and seek permission to address their congregations in the near future with the intent to promote that specific campus. Because CPCS should now be viewed as an interdenominational Christian school (rather than a competing church), administrators may be more likely to be allowed the opportunity to share at local churches.

PERSONNEL

Before attempting to advertise, it will be necessary for each of the newer campuses to establish a specific image that will be attractive to new families. An essential part of presenting a positive, professional, contemporary image is the physical facility. Families with an interest in private education in recent years are becoming more consumer-minded than in the past and expect schools to act and look professional and contemporary. Regardless of the situation, CPCS staff members need to dress professionally and modestly. Both Bellevue and Everett personnel need to understand and incorporate dress as a strategy to attract new families. Each staff member needs to accept the concept that they must be salesmen for the school when talking to prospective families and be careful to be positive and excited about the future. Staff members in the administrative offices are the most integral part of presenting a positive perception to the public. Since both Bellevue and Everett are borderline in terms of finances, installing administrators at both campuses will probably cause budget deficits for a time, but both need administrators to give the professional image needed at this time. The registrars at both locations must be people who present a positive attitude and enthusiasm for the programs. Since each campus will have only one secretary who will act as both registrar and administrative assistant, training time at the main campus is required. Mrs. Fleet will be assigned to train for a time in the duties, procedures, and salesmanship necessary for their duties as registrar, and Mrs. Samac needs time to train them in the procedures and expectations associated with the administrative portion of the job. It may be advisable to have both administrators on the respective campuses before next year. Each secretary will need a minimum of one week, and perhaps two, at the Bothell campus prior to taking their positions.

BUDGET

The poor financial condition and the shrinking student bodies of each campus have created the situations whereby previous administrations have been unable to be successful, resulting in seeking the help of Cedar Park Christian Schools. It should be kept in mind that ultimately, unless both campuses can establish a balanced budget within a reasonable period of time, the success of these ventures is in jeopardy. Both campuses will be given three years to build a budget in which they can make it on their own.

Bellevue Campus

The Bellevue campus did not have a budget for the 2001-2002 school year. A budget for 2002-2003 will be developed and instituted through the on-campus administrator.

Everett Campus

The 2001-2002 projected budget income was $595,519, with expenses projected at $546,117. We have not seen what was actually spent at this point but it appears that these goals are not being met.

FACILITY IMPROVEMENTS

Before the spring registration period ends, campus improvements should be made to buildings and grounds. Keeping in mind that the public is interested more and more in schools that are clean, modern, and well-kept, they often compare school facilities before making enrollment decisions. Administrators will need to develop a list of priority facility improvements. There should be two categories designating those items needed immediately and those needs that can be completed in the future. Such items as new carpet and paint are needed at both campuses.

Bellevue Campus

Neighborhood has more difficult facility problems in that there is little available classroom space. There are currently six rooms on the lower level with normal dimensions that can be used for school classes. The church has recently given permission for the Nozomi School to use two rooms in the newer section of the building. In addition to the classrooms, there are several other supplementary rooms which could be temporarily utilized for extra space. The multipurpose room is pragmatically the only other space available for school use at this time. The only additional potential educational space would be to build on the five acres that are available through the Church.

Everett Campus

At this time, the Everett campus has twenty-four rooms available for use as school classrooms in addition to several supplementary rooms which are also available. Three of the current twenty-four rooms are utilized as pre-kindergarten rooms, one for kindergarten, and a total of seven for grades one through seven. This current situation allows for substantial growth at all levels.

CONCLUSIONS

In the future, additional satellite schools may be established that incorporate the same vision and are managed by a common administration. At Cedar Park Christian Schools, we believe that Christian families are the hope and the backbone of America. It is imperative to support and build strong families that honor Christ and understand what it takes to raise children in today’s world. James Dobson wrote in his book, Children at Risk:

Never in human history has a culture discarded its belief system more quickly than America did in the sixties. …The humanistic system of values has become the predominant way of thinking in most of the power centers of society. It has outstripped Judeo-Christian precepts in the universities, in the news media, in the entertainment industry, in the judiciary, in the federal bureaucracy, in business, medicine, law, psychology, sociology, in the arts, in many public schools and, to be sure, in the halls of Congress.

If America is to have any hope for the future, certainly schools that attempt to instill Christian values and Christian thought back into society will have an important role to play. Cedar Park Christian Schools and its campuses will work diligently at imparting Christ’s love and His values into the hearts and minds of those who attend our institutions. Spiritual leadership must continually look beyond the next bend and anticipate the future if there is to be a future. It cannot be overemphasized that the senior pastor is the single most important factor in determining the success and longevity of any ministry within the church. If the senior pastor does not embrace the vision of a ministry, the chance of that ministry having a long-term effect on a congregation is very slim. It is therefore imperative that consistent communication and education is maintained in which all leadership is exposed to philosophy and teachings concerning the distinctiveness of Christian education.

QUESTIONS, GOALS AND OBJECTIVES OF BELLEVUE AND EVERETT CAMPUSES

The following questions and concerns should be addressed by administration before next year:

I. Student Related Goals

A. What is the desired annual increase in the number of students?

B. What is the desired total number of students this year and for the future?

C. What are desired grade levels now and for the future?

D. What is the school’s philosophy regarding accepting students?

E. How should we address awarding grants and scholarships?

1. Scholarships

2. Screening process

II. Staff Goals

A. Should there be a different salary scale for different campuses?

B. Identify present and future staff roles and integration procedures

1. Procedures for communication with the main campus

2. Expectations for staff meetings, in-services

C. Administrative positions

1. Head teacher vs. principal

2. Number of secretarial staff

3. Department heads

III. Program Goals

A. Identify supplemental programs the school will conduct

B. Curriculum goals

C. Number and types of classes

D. Number and types of extracurricular activities

E. Types of student services

F. Relationships and communication with School Board

G. How to handle accreditations

IV. Financial Goals

A. Procedures for billing

B. Establish a zero-based annual budget

C. Keep ratio of students to dollars at 1:$3,200

V. Enrollment and Facility Goals

A. Dual use

B. List facility improvement priorities

C. Grounds and maintenance goals

D. Equipment needs

VI. Business and Community Goals

A. Identify a plan for community exposure

1. News articles

2. Mailings

3. Word of mouth

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES