ABSTRACT
This chapter describes and analyzes briefly some ethnic or cultural influences on the American Calvinist schools, especially their roots in The Netherlands; the ecclesiastical affiliation of the schools, especially with the Christian Reformed Church in North America; strengths of organization and vision; and some contemporary challenges. In 1892 the Synod of the Christian Reformed Church adopted a resolution encouraging the organization of a national society to promote Christian education. Diversifying the support groups of the schools and the student population presents a variety of challenges. While the roots of the Calvinist day schools in America reach back to The Netherlands, their common soil is the religio-philosophical system called Calvinism. Orthodox Calvinists protested the changes, with some opting to stay and work for reform from within the church. Though for years the Christian Reformed people have enjoyed the reputation of being advocates of Christian schools, the early growth of the church far outran the growth of the Christian schools.
