Dear Hill Country Families,

Tomorrow marks the end of our first quarter, and I don’t know about you, but this school year is flying by!

Several members of our team just returned from a conference in Arlington, Texas, hosted by the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA), one of our accrediting organizations. CESA shares our commitment to excellent Christian education and our vision for the future of Hill Country.

I wish you could have been there with us! More than 900 Christian educators and school leaders gathered to learn from one another, share ideas, and strengthen Christian education across the country. It was encouraging to be surrounded by so many people who share our mission and seek to advance the cause of excellent Christian education in our country.

I came home with three takeaways that I hope will encourage you as much as they encouraged me:

• We are doing a lot of things right here at Hill Country Christian School. Most of the conference sessions focused on educational best practices, covering everything from AI to teacher accountability and feedback. It was affirming to hear that we are doing many things well. I was particularly encouraged to learn that some of the new systems and practices we have put in place this fall are right in line with what other excellent schools are doing. This encourages my team to keep growing and getting better.
  

• We still have room to grow, and it helps to learn from schools a few steps ahead of us. One of my favorite things about conferences like this is the opportunity to rub shoulders with other educators who have already solved challenges we are currently facing. In particular, I connected with two school leaders who have expertise in areas we are working to improve. Both were more than willing to offer advice and guidance. Perhaps their expertise will speed our learning curve!
  
• We are surrounded by a “great cloud of witnesses.” Being with more than 900 educators committed to excellence in Christian education was both encouraging and edifying. We are all on the same team, working toward the same goal: raising up the next generation of young men and women who follow Christ and make a kingdom impact in our world. To God be the glory.
  

We will always have room to grow and improve, but it is encouraging to know we are on the right path. We have the people, resources, and shared commitment to make Hill Country Christian School the best Christian school in North Austin!

In Christ,
Eric DeVries, Head of School and High School Principal