FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT WORKING IN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS

I have a number of options for where to work, how do I choose? 

• Commit for one year somewhere that you’re most likely to thrive, make great connections in community with colleagues, grow, learn and have fun. Over the course of a career, the other factors clouding a decision won’t matter to you much.

Aren’t independent schools exclusive? 

• LCS welcomes students of many different backgrounds, income levels and family circumstances. The common denominator of all our families isn’t status or income, but all genuinely desire their children to benefit from a Bible-centered, quality education and many families make a great sacrifice to send their kids here. Additionally, the tuition fees and tax credits that families receive make attending LCS far less expensive than most independent schools. We are not a college prep school, though many of our students reach the same level of achievement as schools that are much more exclusive. More importantly, the research is clear that Christian school graduates on average serve more, volunteer more, and donate more in adulthood than graduates of other school systems (Cardus, 2019). Christian schools fill a need for the public good that is often much bigger than their size.

Aren’t public schools better employers? 

• Christian schools and many other independent schools offer competitive benefits, salaries and pensions. The difference in compensation between our school and public schools is very small, but the differences in work culture are great. Our work environment is stable, safe and secure, and contracts are well crafted with your well-being and security in mind. Our school has well-supported classrooms and smaller class sizes than what is typical, and our parents are very supportive and partner with teachers to help everyone become their best selves.

What is different about working at a Christian school? 

• We are an independent school governed under the Independent Schools Act and Societies Act (2016) and are accountable to the Ministry of Education and Childcare. We are inspected every two years, but we have legislative authority to provide an alternative educational choice where Christian practices such as prayer and chapels are regularly modelled by staff, Christian beliefs are taught through the K-12 Bible curriculum and kids are encouraged to develop a primary identity as disciples of Christ. Teachers play the formative role in this important work.

Who can work at Langley Christian School? 

• All of our Board Directors and employees are committed Christians who support the foundational statements in the LCS Constitution and Bylaws, and who support our Community Standards which guide conduct and describe the beliefs and values which define our community.

How does the Board of Directors operate? 

• Similarly to a public school district, our Board of elected directors provides policy oversight and governance of our school. We are a registered charity that operates schools and a daycare, so the Board hires a Head of Schools to provide leadership and administration of the day to day operations. The Board directs the Head of Schools through its strategic plan, but is not directly involved in staffing or hiring of employees.

Does the BCTF or teachers’ union impact your work?  

• Our teachers sign their contracts with our independent school board much like you would working for a private sector company. We are governed in our actions and responsibilities by the Employment Standards Act and our contract. Local union negotiations do play some small role in raising salaries at LCS only because we want to pay our staff well. We have an Employee Relations Committee which provides staff voice and input on compensation, contracts and working conditions.

• Our Teacher and EA salaries are posted so future employees can make an informed choice.
• Much more prep and common planning time than local schools. 180+75 minutes for elementary. 200+75 minutes for middle school. 2 blocks for high school.
• Collaborative learning time every Friday morning (75 minutes) so teachers can plan for professional and student success.
• Comprehensive extended health and dental plan.
• Life and disability insurance.
• Generous 8.05% matching pension plan.
• Two personal days per year.
• Support for masters degree completion and job training.
• Tuition assistance for employee families.

All of our policies can be found at: https://www.langleychristian.com/policies/

• 2001 Curriculum Policy
• 2002 Instructional Guidelines
• 2020 Learning Services Roles & Responsibilities 
• 3101 Employee Conduct Standards 
• 3102 Hiring & Qualifications Policy 
• 3104 Teacher Evaluation Process
• 3202 Student Supervision Policy 
• 3301 Employee Relations Committee
• 3401 Educational Staff Compensation Policy 
• 3402 Employee-On-Call Guidelines & Compensation
• 3403 Employee Benefits Policy 
• 3404 Teacher Preparation Time Guidelines
• 3405 Leave of Absence Policy
• 3406 Job Share Policy 

We’re a family of families.

There are few schools in our region where staff will feel as appreciated and connected, or where you will come to work everyday with a sense of purpose (see our vision) and the support of dedicated colleagues and families who deeply care about you.

WELCOME. We are a Christian teaching and learning community that celebrates the diversity of our students as part of God’s design and intention for the world. We aspire to be a place of belonging and connection, and a people who model our lives on Christ, seeking justice, reconciliation and restoration by learning from and welcoming the vulnerable and marginalized. We strive to be a place that educates and equips ourselves, students and families, to be understanding of difference and embody dignity, respect, grace and God’s unconditional love. (Welcome Statement, updated June 2021.)