Love: A Core Value
Written By Jacy Armbruster
Love: A Core Value of Summit Classical Christian School
At Summit Classical Christian School, we take immense pride in molding the characters of our students alongside their intellectual and spiritual growth. One of the core values that serves as a cornerstone in our community is Love. It's a virtue that is universal, timeless, and rooted in Christ.
Love is deeply embedded in the fabric of our teaching methodologies, school activities, and family partnership. It serves as an anchor that connects us all, irrespective of age, class, or house affiliation—be it Jonathan, Moses, Elijah, or Daniel. It is exciting to see how this cardinal virtue is put into practice within our houses and throughout the broader school environment.
“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” - Matthew 22:37-39
As a classical Christian institution, the definition of love we adopt is deeply rooted in Scripture. The Bible describes love as selfless, enduring, and kind. It is an unconditional commitment that seeks the good of others. It serves as a framework that allows us to manifest the likeness of Christ in our interactions within and beyond the school community.
How Love Flourishes in Our School Houses
At Summit, the values and virtues represented by our four houses—Jonathan, Moses, Elijah, and Daniel—are not exclusive to each individual house. Rather, they collectively form a rich tapestry that characterizes our entire student body. By integrating these virtues across our campus, we aim to foster a learning environment where love permeates every interaction, every lesson, and every heart.
Courageous Love: The Spirit of Jonathan in All of Us
The courage that the House of Jonathan represents is a quality we endeavor to instill in each of our students. To love courageously means to stand for what is right, even when it's challenging or unpopular. Whether it's standing against bullying or advocating for fairness in all areas, courageous love is a shared character trait that we cultivate in every member of our student body.
Love as Leadership: The Moses Within
Inspired by the House of Moses, the idea that love is inherently tied to leadership is something we promote among all our students. The quality of Moses—leading with love—reflects the duty each student has to be a responsible classmate, friend, and citizen. Leadership doesn't just come from designated roles or titles but is a byproduct of authentic love that seeks the betterment of others.
Prophetic Love: Echoes of Elijah
The House of Elijah offers us the archetype of prophetic love, which serves as a model for all our students. Just as Elijah wasn't afraid to speak uncomfortable truths for the sake of righteousness, we encourage every student to lovingly communicate what needs to be said. This could be in the form of constructive peer review, or in the willingness to engage in challenging but necessary discussions around ethics, morality, and social justice.
Unwavering Love: The Daniel Principle
Just as the House of Daniel emphasizes unwavering love, we aim for every Summit Classical student to develop a similar steadfastness. This unwavering love speaks to the loyalty, consistency, and long-term commitment we expect from our students in all their relationships. It means that when they commit to a project, a friendship, or a cause, they see it through with dedication, echoing the strong and faithful love of Daniel.
At Summit, we view love not merely as an isolated value but as a multifaceted virtue that manifests in various forms. The qualities we celebrate within each house are not exclusive to those house members but are ideals that we strive to cultivate in every student. In doing so, we are not just educating minds but also shaping hearts, fostering a student body that is intellectually rigorous, spiritually grounded, and rich in love.
In the pursuit of academic excellence, may we never forget that love is the greatest lesson we can ever learn and teach. Amen.