About Us
Our Mission
Ebenezer Christian School is a place where faith in Jesus Christ is the foundation of all learning and life. We cultivate character shaped by Biblical values, academic excellence, and service in humility.
We are a non-denominational school, serving children and families of Antrim and Charlevoix Counties. At Ebenezer Christian School, students experience a Christian-based education from preschool through eighth grade. Our focus is to provide a strong academic and spiritual foundation for young people that supports them throughout life as they experience it in accordance with the Word of God as revealed in the Bible.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Ebenezer have a preschool program?
Yes! Our preschool program is offered in 3, 4, or 5 day options, including half and whole days. Some of their policies and procedures differ slightly from the Main School to ensure that they are up to code and meeting all state standards for a preschool environment.
May my child take advantage of riding the Ellsworth Community School bus?
Yes, as long as you are on a typical bus route, you can arrange pick-up and drop-off directly with the Community School.
Does ECS perform standardized testing?
Yes, students in grades K-8 are tested three times a year using AimsWeb. This allows teaching staff to monitor students’ growth from year to year from the start of their academic career with us in a consistent way. It will also show if there are any areas which need a bit more attention. Report cards are also completed three times a year to coincide with this testing. Ebenezer operates on a trimester school year. The Preschool has ongoing testing that aligns with state standards.
Do ECS teachers hold a valid teaching license?
Yes! All teaching staff hold a valid teaching certificate in the State of Michigan. Teachers keep these up to date and meet all MI requirements.
How is ECS run?
Ebenezer is a Board-run school. The Board is made up of parents (past and present), community members and Ebenezer alumni. New members are voted in during our annual Society meeting in June. We are always looking for new Board Members that have a heart for Ebenezer.
How is tuition paid?
Tuition is invoiced at the beginning of the school year, and payment can be made by cash or check through the school office. Monthly payments are expected. Payment by credit card or debit card can be made through our partner site, tithe.ly.
Is there a discount for enrolling multiple children?
Yes! See our tuition schedule for specific pricing.
Is financial assistance available?
Yes! Ebenezer Christian School believes all families should have access to quality Christian education. While our heart is that finances are not an obstacle, the reality is that it costs a lot of money to run a school. We ask that each family make an effort to pay what they are able, and contribute to the school in other ways, such as volunteering, fundraising, or serving on a committee. Download the application and submit it as part of your enrollment application.
How do I enroll?
Everything you need for enrollment is available on our Admissions page. Enrollment consists of an application, interview, and on-site AIMSWeb testing.
Our Statement of Faith
We believe in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments as inspired of God and inerrant in the original writings and that they are of supreme and final authority in faith and life (II Timothy 3:16, II Peter 1:21).
We believe in the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. He is the omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent God who is sovereign over all. His sovereignty is seen in acts of creation, salvation, and continual care (I John 5:7, Genesis 3:22, Psalm 2:7-8, Psalm 110:1).
We believe in the deity of Jesus Christ, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His miracles, His atonement for our sins by His blood sacrifice, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, and His personal return in power and glory (Isaiah 7:14, John 1:1, John 1:14, John 8:58, Romans 4:25, II Corinthians 5:21, Titus 2:13).
We believe in God the Holy Spirit who acts in and through people’s lives today (John 16:8,1 John 2:27, Acts 13:2, Romans 5:5, 8:9, 8:26, Galatians 4:6).
We believe that man was created in the image of God; that he sinned and thereby incurred not only physical death but also spiritual death, which is separation from God (Genesis 1:27, 2:17, 3:6, Romans 5:12).
We believe that in the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. (Genesis 1:1)
We believe that God creates each person as male or female. These two distinct genders reflect the image and nature of God. (Genesis 1:26-27) Rejection of one’s biological sex is a rejection of the image of God within that person.
We believe that the term “marriage” has only one meaning: the union of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union as delineated in Scripture. (Genesis 2:18-25) We believe that God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. (1 Corinthians 6:18; 7:2-5; Hebrews 13:4) We believe that God has commanded that intimate sexual activity be engaged only within the context of marriage.
We believe that any form of sexual immorality (including adultery, fornication, homosexual behavior, bisexual conduct, bestiality, incest, and the use of pornography) is sinful and offensive to God. (Matthew 15:18-20; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
We believe that the Lord Jesus Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures as a representative and substitutionary sacrifice, and that all that believe in Him are justified on the grounds of His shed blood and resurrection (Romans 4:25, II Corinthians 5:21).
We believe in the resurrection of the crucified body of the crucified Lord, in His ascension into heaven, and in His present life there for us, as High Priest and Advocate (I Corinthians 15:4, Hebrews 4:14, I John 2:1).
We believe that all who receive by faith the Lord Jesus Christ, are born again of the Holy Spirit and thereby become children of God (John 1:12, Acts 16:31, 20:21, John 5:24, Romans 3:28, 4:1-5, Galatians 2:16, Ephesians 2:8-10).
We believe in the “Blessed Hope” the personal and imminent return of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13, Philippians 3:20).
We believe in the bodily resurrection of the just and unjust, in the everlasting joy of the saved, and the everlasting conscious suffering of the lost (John 5:28-29).
Doctrinal Distinctives Statement
The statement of faith is a document that was developed by the Ebenezer Christian School Board of Education for the purpose of clarifying the beliefs by which this non-denominational association would agree theologically. These truths are taught at ECS without apology or exception. There are many other denominational teachings, traditions, practices and distinctive. The teachers, staff, administration and anyone representing ECS will avoid taking a position on or influencing a student by sharing their personal opinion or belief on such controversial theological or denominational topics since they tend to divide evangelical believers. A student is to be referred to the student’s parents and local church if a debatable topic arises of a theological nature.
These topics include: Adult vs. Infant Baptism, Predestination, Speaking in Tongues, Divine Healing, personal view point of Pre/Post/Mid-Tribulation Rapture, Women in Leadership/Ministry, and Contemporary Prophetic or Apostolic Ministry. Other topics not included would need to be addressed on an as needed issue.
Where we came from
The History of Ebenezer Christian School
1939
A Dream Starts
GOD puts a dream into the hearts of community members in Ellsworth, MI to establish a school that would teach their children in a Christian environment.
1945
School Opens
Ebenezer Christian School was founded in 1945 by people of faith who wanted the Holy Bible to be the basis for the education of their children. Today, Ebenezer continues to carry on this tradition of providing a high quality education based on Biblical values.
2002
Preschool Founded
Through tireless efforts of staff and school board, ECS Preschool is officially licensed and operating. After a brief interruption in 2020-2021, the preschool re-opened for the 2022-2023 school year.
2018
Building for the Future
A generous grant from Richard and Helen DeVos jumpstarts our dream for building a brand new school building. Fund development ongoing to ensure building project is fully funded prior to ground breaking.
2024
Online High School Pilot Program
Former Ebenezer alumni piloted an online high school program, and graduated! This laid the foundation for a potential digital future for Ebbies.
Future
What’s Next
With God’s leading, we began restoring & updating our current campus. Fund development is ongoing to ensure our future building project is fully funded prior to ground breaking.