BROKEN BOW – A fully accredited private Christian school will open its doors in August of 2024 to provide religious studies along with a basic curriculum for students from kindergarten through 6th grade.
Enrollments for the Custer Christian School will begin in mid-January and will happen after the open house on January 15, 2024 at 6:00 p.m.
The open house is for the public to come and share their concerns, their positive and negative ideas and to ask questions to fully understand what the school is truly about.
President of the Custer Christian School Taylor Reuther told KCNI/KBBN how the idea formed to create this private school.
“When we first came here, we first started attending the Berean Church when it was at the City campus before they built the new building. And after that, I had always joked that that would be a really good place for a Christian Elementary School. And so that was the running joke, and then we ended up just having a lot more support for the idea that I thought was originally gonna happen” said Reuther. “So it kind of started out that way, then it just kind of grew from there.”
With the Church already having a gym and four good-sized classrooms, no renovations will be done at this time but are being looked at as future projects if further growth is required.
There will be tuition costs, but they are working on some scholarship funds.
“So there is tuition, just like any private school we have tuition. We are working on some scholarship funds and things like that,” said Ruether. “part of the idea for the open house on the 15th is that we can get feedback from the community. So we encourage the community to please come and share your feedback because we want to know “Would you pay for Christian Education? And if you would, how much can you afford” said Ruether.
The idea for scholarships is that they will be available for families that are not able to pay for the tuition.
The Custer Christian School is a fully accredited school through the state and licensed teachers will be used. The curriculum that is picked will be approved by the state for English, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, music/art, and physical education. Along with using a curriculum approved by the state, the teachers will be able to use Bible verses or examples of the Bible to teach students.
Custer Christian School will have its own schedule, but they plan to be mindful of Broken Bow’s school schedule.
“We are going to try and be as conscious as to when Broken Bow is off school as possible, like say you have, since we are only through 6th grade, these kids are going to go to Broken Bow 7th through their senior year, so we want to be conscious, ya know if they already have a middle schooler in school when they have breaks so we can try to line those up the same.”
Custer Christian School wants to encourage students in their faith as well as their academics.
Their vision statement reads:
“Custer Christian School will be a non-denominational Christian elementary through 6th grade based in Broken Bow Nebraska. CCS is dedicated to providing the youth of Custer County and surrounding counties with a balanced curriculum that will not only stimulate growth in academics but also in Christ-centered values. Student life consists of a supportive environment where students grow in their walk with the Lord, assisting the family in the Church based on the verse Proverbs 22:6 “Train up a child in the way he should do, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” As well as challenging students to excel in English, reading, language arts, mathematics, social studies, science, music/art, and physical education. The core values in Custer Christian School are rooted in a belief in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, in training and righteousness so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work and will be the driving force behind Custer Christian School.”
Custer Christian Mission Statement is Matthew 25:35-40:
“For I was hungry, and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me. Then the righteous will answer him saying “Lord, when did we see You hungry, and feed you, or thirsty and gave You drink? And when did we see You a stranger and welcome You, or naked and clothe You? And when did we see You or in prison and visit You? And the King will answer them “Truly I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of my brothers, you did it to me.” Custer Christian School is a kindergarten through 6th grade elementary school with a trinity at its core. It’s dedicated to finding an alternative academic option for Custer County residents as well as promoting the Gospel, reflecting Christian virtues, and helping children and families who have allowed God to work through them and provide for even the least.”
