Why did you choose TCS for your children?
We saw the reputation of TCS as having strong Christian values and diversity. We prioritized TCS high on our list because of the athletics program, which was well-known by friends who had attended other Christian schools in the area. That legacy continued until we were having children ourselves. We really wanted to make sure it was not too far from our area in Somerset/Middlesex county and yet the driving distance didn’t matter once we went for an Open House. After visiting classrooms and meeting with the teachers, it instantly felt like it would be home. Home is never too far.
What do you love most about TCS?
We love the partnership we find in the diverse, beautiful TCS family when it comes to encouraging our children as they bloom. Just as we pray, I love that the teachers pray with our children about everything, and they pray for our children throughout the journey. I listen to my children pray at home and watch how they have grown in their requests to God, their appreciation for what He does and honoring His will. I praise God for the partnership we find at TCS, in all aspects of the process. When I have questions about academics, knowing my children can thrive when challenged, the teachers and administration partner with us in helping our children flex and stretch, while using their expertise to make sure we’re not overdoing it. The partnership exists on all levels.
What is one word that best describes the school? Why?
FAMILY. I walk through campus now and smile and speak to everyone. This is because our first year there, we realized people with whom we did not previously have any formal interactions with waved at us and greeted us warmly, some even knew our names. The school cultivates a family feel where we care about one another. Eventually, we would be dropping off our children and find ourselves chatting with people for a while and it became our other Church family. Perhaps it is even more powerful because it is consistent. While we do not “know” everyone, we share a common bond that means more than where we physically live. That’s family.
In what ways have you seen your child grow and develop as a result of their experience at TCS?
We have seen our children grow in their prayer lives because of their experiences praying in classes with their peers and teachers. They seen them grow in an appreciation for the diversity of the Body of Christ due to the diversity represented at TCS. They understand we do not all look the same or even do things the same way, but we are a part of the family of Jesus and that binds us all together.
How is TCS preparing your child for college and beyond? While I am still very much at the front end of this process, I have seen a shift at each level of learning. The students have more responsibility for their work at each stage. There are taking steps toward ownership and responsibility for their work and submitting that work on time. I look forward to seeing how this will develop over time.
What would you tell another parent to encourage them to consider enrolling their child at TCS?
I would say- TCS is a great community, an established and diverse Christian private school, and yet we see new things happening as they continue to evolve. It is rooted in excellence enough for us to know what we can expect. The technology has changed within the past five years and they quickly adjusted to the needs of at-home learning during that season. They can roll with the punches, as it felt like our kids did not miss a beat! We can be sure it is not some “open today, closed tomorrow” operation. All the while, the teachers and administration at TCS are listening to what’s happening and assuring our children that they can be in the world, successful and thriving, while not being “of the world”.