Agape Christian School, which started in 2002 as a Chinese language school, now offers a K-4 to 12 grade private school with an international curriculum based on the principles of Christianity.
“Agape Christian School started when we began offering the Chinese language during the weekends. The Chinese language department started because there were more Chinese families settling down on the island of Saipan,” said Rev. Kok H. Pang, Senior Administrator of Agape Christian School.
“Naturally, the Chinese parents wanted their children to learn their native language of Mandarin and to read and write Chinese. Furthermore, China is emerging as the next superpower of the East, in terms of global manufacturing and commerce,” he said.
“Now, more and more foreigners are becoming interested in learning the Chinese language together with their children so they can use it when the needs arise. Our school grew over the years and at one stage, we had over sixty plus students young and old of all races,” he added.
The school’s growth allowed for the opening of a full-fledged private school in May last year to provide high quality education without compromising the character building of each child.
“Personally, I was thoroughly convinced that the outstanding curriculum and unparalleled excellence of the Accelerated Christian Education School of Tomorrow System is the tool and the way to achieve our goal. Our motto is: What matters most still matters….Education matters!” said Pang.
Since its founding in 1970, the A.C.E program has invested over $50 million in developing educational tools that endeavors to help students live wisely, think critically, and act responsibly.
The A.C.E program focuses on the foundation of scripture with wisdom, and character development, placement of student at his learning pace by diagnostic testing, incorporation of goal setting, motivation, and academic excellence, utilization of multimedia and computer technology, encouragement of parental involvement, recognition of the uniqueness of the individual, and development of critical thinking skills.
Agape’s focus on Christianity’s principles of learning offers an enriched academic and spiritual environment for its students.
“The success of a school is not just measured by their academic excellence but also by the mature and positive lifestyles that are produced by the teachers and students,” said Pang.
“The following elements are necessary for a successful school: True philosophy, Godly leadership among board members, administrators and mature teachers, Committed, loving, and faithful teaching and administrative staff, High standard in Core Curriculum with Character, and Full support and involvement of parents in their children’s education,” he said.
Pang notes that Agape plans to extend its programs in the near future.
“We will recruit more qualified and experienced teachers who major in Education from the U.S. as well as other Asian countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Philippines, and others who have a track record of high standard in Math and Science subjects,” said Pang
“We will improve our existing excellent ACS school facilities to cater to the different needs of the students in the next few years. The areas for continuing improvements are library, computer lab, science laboratory, sports and playground facilities,” he said.
“We will provide more electives for the students like choir, school band, guitar and ukulele groups, piano lessons, honor art program, and public speaking where students will compete in the PGFC and NFL,” he added. “We will also send students or teams to compete at the National Students’ Convention either in Philippines or China in March each year, as well as the International Students Convention of School of Tomorrow in the U.S. in May each year.”
Agape Christian School also plans to be more involved in community projects.
“We plan to help clean the beaches of Saipan, visit Manamko at least once a year, offer special assistance to the youth by organizing Youth Summer camps in studies and sports, get American Red Cross staff to train our staff and children so that we can render our services in times of emergencies and donate food and clothes items for typhoon victims or less fortunate folks,” said Pang.
Parents could register their children by calling 234-1937 or 235-8540 to arrange for registration, or come to the school office between 9 a.m. to 12 noon from Monday to Friday during the summer.
“Parents may want to arrange for a parent orientation and free diagnostic tests for their children. Due to the uniqueness of our School of Tomorrow system, parents and students can come in at any time of the school year. ACS is open for registration throughout the year. Students will start at the level in which they can perform. Students who want to register at ACS will have to sit for a free computerized diagnostic test first to ascertain their academic level,” said Pang.
Agape Christian School is located along Middle Road in Gualo Rai next to Bali Fashion and Eucon International School.
