Schools With Policies Promoting Counseling For LGBTQ students
HuffPost combed through the handbooks, statements of faith and prospective student applications to glean schools' policies.
Source: HuffPost research
*Funding data is from the most recent year for which public information is available.
Faith Christian School
Mesa, AZ
$203,983
"Faith Christian School recognizes there may be instances where members of the Faith Christian School community experience disparity between their sex and their feelings about their sex. This disparity can motivate them to behave in ways contrary to God’s Word and His plan for their lives. Faith Christian School encourages member of the Faith Christian School community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God’s Word. Faith Christian School will at all times interact with members of the Faith Christian School community according to their sex."
When asked for details on this counseling, and whether or not it amounts to conversion therapy, school administrator Dick Buckingham wrote HuffPost: "If you want to know what help a pastor or trained professional would give, you would need to ask someone in their profession. The school handbook does not specify what help would be given nor would the school try to exercise any influence upon pastors or trained professionals carrying out their duties."
SCHOOL
PUBLIC FUNDING*
POLICY / SCHOOL COMMENT
"The Lord teaches us in His Word that sexuality is a gift granted by God. Deviations from His perfect design, including homosexuality, gender dysphoria, etc., are intrinsically sinful. At Martin Luther High School, we hold to the Biblical teaching and acknowledge the sin of these behaviors, as well as all other sins. Students who struggle with the sin of homosexuality should feel safe and welcome at our school while simultaneously understanding that their lifestyle is contrary to our teachings and God's Word. The student is encouraged to seek guidance and counseling from our staff regarding these issues. Publicly demonstrating an alternative lifestyle is not allowed at Martin Luther High School."
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
$2,916,306
Martin Luther High School
Greendale, WI
"Freedom Christian Academy encourages members of the Freedom Christian Academy community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God's Word."
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
$288,604
Freedom Christian Academy
Fayetteville, NC
"Community Christian School recognizes there may be instances where the members of the Community Christian School community experience disparity between their sex and their feelings about their sex. This disparity can motivate them to behave in ways contrary to God’s Word and His plan for their lives. Community Christian School encourages members of the Community Christian School community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God’s holy Word. Community Christian School will at times interact with members of the Community Christian School community according to their sex. A member of the school community who wishes to express a gender other than his or her sex is understood to be rejecting the truth and the image of God within that person"
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
$285,419
Community Christian School
Richmond, IN
"Should a student be found to struggle with sexual immorality, the school will seek to partner with the family, and to counsel accordingly, in an attempt to bring the student to a place of repentance and a change of behavior. As a school, we do not condone sexual immorality, but we love our students and desire to show/teach the what the Word of God says and mentor them in such a way as to help our students to want to live according to God’s Word. The student may be required to obtain pastoral counseling and/or other professional counseling. Repeated behavior would be an indicator that the student has not embraced counseling/mentoring and the truths of God’s Word."
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
$0
Maranatha Christian Academy
Shawnee, KS
"Students are expected to refrain from sexual activity, including homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography. If a student is in violation of this principle, or if a student believes that he/she is homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual, this should be disclosed to the Pastor of Student Ministries or the Administrator. Counseling should be sought through the church. Such information will be kept in strict confidence. If the school or church learns that this principle has been violated and the student has not sought counseling, has refused counseling, or has engaged in such activity after counseling through the church, the student will be asked to withdraw from school."
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
$1,295,361
Westwood Christian School
Miami, FL
"If a student, employee, or parent is found to be participating in relational behavior that is sinful and detrimental to the society of Rock Valley Christian and contrary to Biblical principles, the school will partner with those involved in determining appropriate counseling and/or disciplinary action. Rock Valley Christian will exercise patience and compassion for those engaged in restoration. However, if those involved refuse assistance and continue in the inappropriate behavior and/or promotes and behavior to others, disciplinary action or removal from school may result, as directed by the administration and Education Committee of the Board of Directors."
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
Not publicly listed
Rock Valley Christian School
Rock Valley, IA
"If our child(ren) is/are participating in or in any way promoting the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other intoxicants, or participating in premarital sexual intimacy, or any form of homosexuality or transgender activity, he or she will be subject to the consequences set forth by the school board of directors. As a family, we will seek ways for the Academy to help us in working through such difficulties with our child through appropriate counseling both biblical and professional in nature."
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
Not publicly listed
Greenbrier Christian Academy
Chesapeake, VA
This school does not have a public policy in this issue; however, HuffPost spoke with former students who say the school wanted them to attend conversion therapy.
In response to this article, Calvary Christian Academy's Head of School Jason Rachels wrote, "I can confirm that 'anti-gay therapy' is not a process we use or a part of a policy at our school. We do not have therapists on staff or a relationship with an organization that offers those services. In alignment with the Bible, we encourage and expect students to abstain from any and all sexual activity outside of marriage. We understand and respect that our school structure, policies, and beliefs are not a great match for every family."
$3,079,695
Calvary Christian Academy
Fort Lauderdale, FL
"The Lord teaches us in His Word that sexuality is a gift granted by God. Deviations from His perfect design, including homosexuality, gender dysphoria, etc., are intrinsically sinful. At Martin Luther High School, we hold to the Biblical teaching and acknowledge the sin of these behaviors, as well as all other sins. Students who struggle with the sin of homosexuality should feel safe and welcome at our school while simultaneously understanding that their lifestyle is contrary to our teachings and God's Word. The student is encouraged to seek guidance and counseling from our staff regarding these issues. Publicly demonstrating an alternative lifestyle is not allowed at Martin Luther High School."
$2,916,306
Martin Luther High School
Greendale, WI
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"Freedom Christian Academy encourages members of the Freedom Christian Academy community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God's Word."
$288,604
Freedom Christian Academy
Fayetteville, NC
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"Community Christian School recognizes there may be instances where the members of the Community Christian School community experience disparity between their sex and their feelings about their sex. This disparity can motivate them to behave in ways contrary to God’s Word and His plan for their lives. Community Christian School encourages members of the Community Christian School community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God’s holy Word. Community Christian School will at times interact with members of the Community Christian School community according to their sex. A member of the school community who wishes to express a gender other than his or her sex is understood to be rejecting the truth and the image of God within that person"
$285,419
Community Christian School
Richmond, IN
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"Should a student be found to struggle with sexual immorality, the school will seek to partner with the family, and to counsel accordingly, in an attempt to bring the student to a place of repentance and a change of behavior. As a school, we do not condone sexual immorality, but we love our students and desire to show/teach the what the Word of God says and mentor them in such a way as to help our students to want to live according to God’s Word. The student may be required to obtain pastoral counseling and/or other professional counseling. Repeated behavior would be an indicator that the student has not embraced counseling/mentoring and the truths of God’s Word."
$0
Maranatha Christian Academy
Shawnee, KS
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"Students are expected to refrain from sexual activity, including homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, fornication, adultery, and pornography. If a student is in violation of this principle, or if a student believes that he/she is homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual, this should be disclosed to the Pastor of Student Ministries or the Administrator. Counseling should be sought through the church. Such information will be kept in strict confidence. If the school or church learns that this principle has been violated and the student has not sought counseling, has refused counseling, or has engaged in such activity after counseling through the church, the student will be asked to withdraw from school."
$1,295,361
Westwood Christian School
Miami, FL
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"If a student, employee, or parent is found to be participating in relational behavior that is sinful and detrimental to the society of Rock Valley Christian and contrary to Biblical principles, the school will partner with those involved in determining appropriate counseling and/or disciplinary action. Rock Valley Christian will exercise patience and compassion for those engaged in restoration. However, if those involved refuse assistance and continue in the inappropriate behavior and/or promotes and behavior to others, disciplinary action or removal from school may result, as directed by the administration and Education Committee of the Board of Directors."
Not publicly listed
Rock Valley Christian School
Rock Valley, IA
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"If our child(ren) is/are participating in or in any way promoting the use of illegal drugs, alcohol, tobacco, tobacco substitutes, or other intoxicants, or participating in premarital sexual intimacy, or any form of homosexuality or transgender activity, he or she will be subject to the consequences set forth by the school board of directors. As a family, we will seek ways for the Academy to help us in working through such difficulties with our child through appropriate counseling both biblical and professional in nature."
Not publicly listed
Greenbrier Christian Academy
Chesapeake, VA
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
This school does not have a public policy in this issue; however, HuffPost spoke with former students who say the school wanted them to attend conversion therapy.
$3,079,695
Calvary Christian Academy
Fort Lauderdale, FL
POLICY
PUBLIC FUNDING*
SCHOOL
"Faith Christian School recognizes there may be instances where members of the Faith Christian School community experience disparity between their sex and their feelings about their sex. This disparity can motivate them to behave in ways contrary to God’s Word and His plan for their lives. Faith Christian School encourages member of the Faith Christian School community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God’s Word. Faith Christian School will at all times interact with members of the Faith Christian School community according to their sex"
POLICY
$0
1
1
While Maranatha Academy is eligible to receive funds through the state's tax credit program, it has no students participating and has not received funds through the program, according to the Kansas State Department of Education.
"Faith Christian School recognizes there may be instances where members of the Faith Christian School community experience disparity between their sex and their feelings about their sex. This disparity can motivate them to behave in ways contrary to God’s Word and His plan for their lives. Faith Christian School encourages member of the Faith Christian School community who are struggling with their sexual identity to seek help from their pastor and other trained professionals who might best assist them in clarifying and defining their sexual identity in accordance with God’s Word. Faith Christian School will at all times interact with members of the Faith Christian School community according to their sex"
SCHOOL COMMENT
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT
1
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT
This school did not respond to requests for comment.
SCHOOL COMMENT