First year in high school, first year at EC: 6 student testimonials

In a typical enrollment cycle, Eastern Christian High School welcomes 35 new students to their first year of high school AND their first year of Eastern Christian School. A common entry point, EC freshmen come from a variety of backgrounds, towns, and school experiences.

Six freshmen students who are new to EC open up about their EC experience to date. Here is a look at what they had to say:

Kayla

What are you currently involved in?
Outdoor Activities Club, Dancers with a Purpose, ABIDE, American Sign Language, Lacrosse Club; I love community service and I am already almost done with Faith in Action requirements.

Why did you start looking at EC?
I wanted a tight-knit community. I wanted to have a place where everyone had faith in common. I feel like Eastern Christian does a really good job of putting their faith into everything. Everywhere you look in this school, there is some aspect of faith and Christianity.

Why did you ultimately decide to come to EC?
The more I looked into it, the more EC kept on proving itself. It aligned with everything I wanted. It felt like the perfect community; it just felt right. And even in the process of getting into the school, the staff proved how caring they were. They were attentive and they care about each student individually.

What do you most appreciate about EC?
Everybody gives everybody a chance. We all have faith in common. It’s like a big family. They don’t see students as numbers. They see them individually.

I also feel they have good opportunities for career development. This is the most ‘career and college-preparation school’ that I’ve seen. They are doing everything to prepare students for every possible career you can imagine. I like how everyone in this school is a future thinker, trying to prepare you. The WINGS program, that’s so good. I am so excited to get into that.

What would you say to students currently looking to join EC as a freshman?
If you are trying to find a school that will make you feel welcome, EC is the best place that you can find. Everyone has their place here. There are so many different SOARS and clubs here. Everyone has their niche. 

Zachary

What are you currently involved in?
Lacrosse, Soccer, Chick-fil-A Leadership Academy, Freshmen Class Council, Band

Why did you start looking at EC?
I was interested in the community and the fact that there would be a lot more kids here who relate to me and how I believe in Jesus Christ. I like that everything we do at EC is for Christ and that we keep Christ in the center of everything.

How has your experience at EC been so far?
It’s been good. It’s nice that it’s smaller, that everyone knows each other, and everyone is always welcoming. It was easy to make friends. I like that teachers pray before class. I think that’s great.

What do you most appreciate about EC?
The teachers make sure that we’re always keeping Christ at the center. I appreciate how we do chapel on Wednesdays. It is really nice to help refocus and connect with God in the middle of the week. We should have a relationship with him, and not just connect with him on Sundays.

What advice do you have for students currently looking to come to EC as a freshman?
They should know it’s not as scary as they think it’s going to be. I know all the kids are going to be nice to them. It’s going to be easy to transition into this school.

Sammuel

What are you currently involved in?
Basketball

How has your experience at EC been so far?
It has been a good one. I have found a lot of friends. I feel like I’m cared for and it is just a fun atmosphere in general. I was formerly at a small, private school in New York. Coming here was just a big upgrade with more people and more of a social life. I love playing basketball and I am able to play for the school.

What do you most appreciate about EC?
The people and the Christian education.

What would you say to students currently looking to come to EC as a freshman?
You will find great friends that you can really rely on for your whole life.

Kayley

What are you currently involved in?
Worship team, Choir, Students for Life

Why did you ultimately decide to come to EC?
We were touring the school and my parents and I just got this affirmation that this is where I was supposed to be. EC has a great curriculum and has a lot to offer. It’s a great school.

How has your experience at EC been so far?
It’s been amazing. There are so many spirit-led staff members here. I really love everything about this school. I also love the fact that there is a worship team; (in general opportunities for students to mature spiritually.). I like block scheduling too because it covers the curriculum more in depth. 

What do you most appreciate about EC?
I appreciate the fact that it really does engage the mind, nurture the spirit and teach people to transform the world.

What would you say to students currently looking to join EC as a freshman?
Many people invest in this school and the school invests in their students. Each individual teacher cares about each individual student. It’s like a family here. I am just blown away by EC in general and I’m thriving here.

Lennox

What are you currently involved in?
Soccer, Track

Why did you ultimately decide to come to EC?
My parents heard about this school from a member at church. It was more my parent’s decision. They figured it would be better for me to go to a Christian school.

How has your experience at EC been so far?
The teachers are better here, and you can learn a lot better. It’s easier with four classes. With eight periods, learning was all crammed together, and it was stressful.

What do you most appreciate about EC?
That it’s Christian. You can express your faith. It’s out of pocket to do that at a public school.

What would you say to students currently looking to join EC as a freshman?
It’s a normal school. Eastern Christian is like a better improvement to a normal school.

Isabella

What are you currently involved in?
ASL club, Project Lead, Project Focus, Middle Eastern SOAR, Pre-Med Club

Why did you ultimately decide to come to EC?
While on a tour, I went to chapel here. I was there for maybe two minutes, and I was like, this is it. I found it. It feels like home. I had spent days trying to figure it out, and I walked out of chapel and in that moment, I thought that’s the school.

The community was so welcoming. And the school was strong in its faith and I could tell that from when I walked in. And the fact that every class was taught from a biblical worldview just drew me in because I wanted to understand how that works. That’s what made me want to come here.

What do you most appreciate about EC?
I appreciate that everyone works well together and no one is left out in any situation. In those situations, it shows how they are strong in their faith, and they are strong in being loving toward one another and caring about each other.

I was put into classes that challenged me, which was good. Having so many clubs is nice as well. I also appreciate having so many opportunities to have honors classes, as I am in two this semester. It has been a great change in my life that has opened more doors of opportunity.

What would you say to students currently looking to join EC as a freshman?
The instant that you walk in, there is someone to greet you. And every time you walk in, there’s a new face and a welcoming face, and they want to get to know you. They want to welcome you in and they want to see someone come and join their community.