Teenagers constantly change their minds about many things: what’s cool - what’s not, who they like – who they don’t like, what they want – what they don’t want. It is frus-trating and exhausting for parents to try to keep up with the daily roller coaster of the attitudes and emotions of a teenager. So, rather than get swept along in the tide, it is important for parents to remain confident that they are the stable force in the midst of these changing emotions.

It is also understandable that parents want their children to be happy and to like them as well as love them. But parents cannot be swayed by the mercurial nature of teenage emotions. Given the importance of their education, parents need to take the lead in what they, as parents, feel is best for their child.

Friendships do not end if all the members of your child’s “group” do not attend the same school. Rather, existing friendships are maintained after school and on weekends while new friendships are developed. In larger schools, students tend to find a small group and stay in it. A small school, like Vail Christian, affords many more opportunities for a vari-ety of friendships because everyone, students and faculty alike, knows each other. Teen-age friendships change constantly, but true friendships are never lost.

Not all 14 year olds are ready for the pressures they are sure to have thrust upon them when they enter a large high school. At that age, teenagers want desperately to be liked, to fit in, and to be accepted. They are impressionable and malleable, and it can be diffi-cult to stand alone when pressures are strong. Vail Christian provides a small, family environment where each student is well-known, loved, held responsible and accountable and taught how to stand strong and make the right decisions. When students enter college and their adult life, they have the strength, conviction and self-esteem that will see them through difficult times and pressures.

Theology classes are part of the daily curriculum for all students. Classes are based on biblical teachings. When questions arise in class, the various doctrinal distinctions and religious views are discussed, and thereby, a broad understanding of theology is ob-tained. All students attend forty-five minute chapel services twice a week which are led by Vail Christian teachers, students and a variety of local pastors.

The most important element in making your decision is that you, as a parent, have de-cided what you think is the best educational environment for your student. We believe it is a privilege to attend Vail Christian, and we want our students to be happy, successful and prepared for college and their adult life. We urge parents to talk to Vail Christian parents and students. We also urge them to come to one (or more) of our Visitor Days and ask questions. Our Q&A session is a very helpful forum to pose questions and to listen to the questions and answers of others.