Wesley International School is an academic learning community that challenges students to glorify God in every thought, word and deed.  Wesley is an academic community that prioritizes character development.  These ideals are realized by integrating a biblical view of life across all disciplines of learning – from sciences to fine arts, from humanities to theology.  Since all truth is God’s truth, we will not avoid the broad range of human knowledge, but will engage the respective disciplines at appropriate times and in the context of the truth found in the Bible.  We will not place any human philosophy above the truth of God’s Word.

We are an academic community that exists to support parents, who have the primary responsibility for the education of their children.  We believe that God will use our school and parents to aid students in becoming history makers to impact their world with insight, action and love.

We are a community that exists within the larger Indonesian community.  We will endeavor to engage the Indonesian community in ways that are beneficial to all and prioritize the understanding of Indonesian language and culture.

We believe that the following principles of learning are true and must be constantly considered to provide the most effective education:

v Parent involvement and cooperation is a necessity.

v Each child can learn, and although their rates of learning will vary, all progress and effort should be commended.

v Educational materials and strategies must be appropriately adapted to the students.

v Regular and effective assessment is needed to ensure progress.

v A variety of strategies must be used to meet curricular objectives.

v Knowledge should be integrated across disciplines, associated with prior learning, and thoughtfully sequenced.

v Education must incorporate the realities of the local community to maintain relevance to students.

v Teachers must be positive models for students spiritually and academically; in their attitudes, their relationships and their lifestyles.

We believe that every child is a unique creation of God and the best education will address the whole child: spirit, mind, social relations, identity, emotions and physical body.  We strive to achieve the following goals:

Spirit

Through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, our ultimate goal is to teach our students to implement Luke 10:27: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind; and, Love your neighbor as yourself.”  By activating this commandment in their lives and by having a growing personal relationship with Christ, we believe they will impact the world for Christ, thereby bringing glory to God.

It is our desire to see Wesley students display evidence of personal spiritual disciplines in their lives, such as regular personal Bible reading and prayer, corporate worship, and other life-giving habits.  We believe that a deep personal knowledge of who God is will bring about the transformation of character necessary to have Christ-centered lives. Only then will they be ready and willing to obey His voice.

 Philippians 3:8: “What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord.”

Mind

 Wesley International School’s academic objectives stem from the foundation of God’s truth revealed in the Bible, the person of Jesus Christ and all of creation.  Within this context our pedagogy and broad curriculum create an academically challenging environment that prepares students for continued education.

We desire to produce students who love learning and pursue knowledge and wisdom throughout their lives in service to God and mankind.

 1 Peter 1:13: “Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

Social Relationships

 We believe that God has created man for fellowship with Himself and others. In our learning community we desire that students emerge with the ability to form life-long relationships.  These relationships are born out of mutual respect and across cultures, and are formed out of a strong sense of personal identity and community. We want students to sense deeply that their true citizenship is in heaven and that they are a part of the family of God, demonstrating unity through love.

Our goal is that students develop a sense of belonging and pursue close friendships.  In our third culture context we must be sensitive to cultural differences and transience. We believe that these friendships are necessary to the healthy development of our students.

Our intent is that Wesley students can identify with and have a sense of responsibility to the various communities of which they are part: family, school, local church, Indonesia and home country.

 John 17:23b: “May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Identity

 We believe that each child, regardless of race, gender or social status is a unique person, made in the image of God, and is to be respected as such by both teachers and students.  We believe that their identity is influenced by their cultural heritage, which must be acknowledged and valued.

 The growth of each student will be encouraged by teaching them: 

• To understand themselves and realize their God-given capabilities,

• To develop their gifts,

• To set personal goals,

• To take responsibility for their actions, learning and lives,

• To be self-disciplined,

• To build characters with integrity

• To cultivate personal habits of spiritual development

 We will provide opportunities for students to use their particular gifts for the benefit of their community and the glory of God.  We desire that each student will find their identity in their relationship to Jesus Christ.

 Ephesians 2:10: “For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

Emotions

We desire to teach students to express their emotions in Godly ways.  Emotions add richness to our lives enabling us to experience and respond to God’s love and His creation.  Emotions allow us to share in the experiences of others thereby strengthening our relationships with others.

In our multicultural context, we must be sensitive to cultural and individual differences regarding emotional expression, but our reference for proper expression of emotions will remain God’s Word.

Ecclesiastes 3:4: [There is] “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.”

Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Body

 We desire to teach students to regard their bodies as good gifts to be treated with great respect, and to both enjoy and be content with what God has given them.  A Biblical perspective will allow students to see that physical life, comfort, and pleasure are not the ultimate good in this life, but our physical bodies were created for God’s greater purposes.

We will give students a variety of opportunities to develop in areas of physical skills, athletics, strength and health.  Physical education will also be used to build character in individuals and groups.

 1 Corinthians 6:19-20: “Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”

 Romans 6:13b: “offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness.”

 (Note: all scripture references are quoted from the NIV)