Testimonials

Maya

Class of 2021

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?

I love the sense of community that EC has to offer. All of the faculty and staff are super caring and supportive.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite.

My favorite teacher is Ms. Bazanowski, she is caring and really tries to make sure everyone in her class is engaged and having fun! She opened my eyes to all of the opportunities for careers in the science field.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?

Before EC, I was never really in touch with my faith, however, being surrounded by people who are very passionate about their faith helped me realize that I wanted to be more involved.

How do you feel that EC prepared you for graduation, college/career and life?

I feel that EC has prepared me very well for my future. All of the teachers I had made sure I was doing my best and earning the grades I deserved. There was a lot of work that had to be put in but with the support that the EC teachers offered, it seemed almost impossible to not work to my full potential.

What opportunities did you experience at EC that you don’t think you would have gotten to experience anywhere else?

I enjoyed the smaller class sizes because there was more one on one time with the teachers which helped me focus on classwork and doing the best I could. EC also gave me a wonderful opportunity to serve and give back to a community in a third world country through going on a Mission Trip to Guatemala.

What would you say to a prospective student considering joining Eastern Christian School?

EC can help you succeed no matter where you are going in the future.

Jesse

Class of 2016

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?
Definitely the warm, community environment. I have never gone a day in my life walking through the hallways at EC without a teacher saying “Hi” to me as I walked towards my next class of the day. Everybody is friendly and it is easy to get comfortable and acquainted with so many caring and unique people that make up our school environment.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite.
Definitely Mr. U because he is such a personable and charismatic teacher. He began chatting with me near the end of freshman year because he began to anticipate his future sophomore class and immediately picked up on my love and passion of history. He has such a way with students by combining personal anecdotes and effective, hilarious, humor and balancing that with the seriousness history classes offer. Over time, he has become one of my greatest influences by pushing me to become a better student though my papers and projects. He has also been a strong mentor by supporting my endeavors and quest to become the future President of the United States.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?
It is amazing that in every subject I have taken in school, the teachers have done such an amazing job of intertwining our Christian values and worldview into the subject material. I have learned that God is relevant in any subject or occupation that I will pursue in my future. EC has brought me closer and shown me the essential need of having a strong personal relationship with Christ in order to flourish in the world.

The Eastern Christian tagline is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How did you experience an education that is engaging, nurturing and transforming at EC?
I was able to take rigorous courses that pushed my academic limits by classes that engaged me such as Humanities and the honors courses in math. In addition, the electives offered by EC were beneficial to my interests such as International Relations and American Law because I have the intention of majoring in Political Science in college. Experienced teachers, like Mr. Beverly, were able to challenge our preconceived thoughts on certain issues and make us look at the world through different lenses; this has certainly transformed the way I looked at the world.

How do you feel that EC prepared you for graduation, college and life?
The personal experiences and lessons I have absorbed from teachers have left a lasting mark on my life. It is so comforting to know that the teachers here at EC absolutely love their jobs and want their students to be world changers. EC offers an abundance of rigorous courses, and I was able to space them out throughout my four years so I could keep pushing myself to attaining my goal of getting into an amazing college. Here, it’s not just about taking set courses that culminate towards a large test or final at the end of the semester. You have flexibility and choices in pursuing what you want to do by picking different, diverse classes and this allows you to start charting a course towards college and beyond.

What would you say to a high school student considering joining Eastern Christian School?
Although high school is a place of new beginning, and that can be intimidating for many, make sure you feel right and comfortable because high school is the launching pad for your future and career towards college and life in the real world. Everything clicked for me at EC because of the strong community of students, dedication to teaching from teachers, and strong, personalized support from our amazing College & Career Office (Mr. Struck was instrumental in getting me to the place I am today). Eastern Christian really is a school where you can thrive and grow in such a supportive Christian environment by being yourself and pursuing your passions.

What opportunities did you experience at EC that you don’t think you would have gotten to experience anywhere else?
One of the most profound, deep experiences I have had at EC was after a baseball game. The day was April 15, 2013 and word quickly spread on the bus that the marathon at Boston had been bombed. It was a very solemn game we played that day knowing that a sporting event was affected by an act of terrorism. After the game, we asked the other team to pray with us and that was such a powerful experience. It didn’t matter that the other team was a public school, but we were able to come together, with Christ unifying us, and pray for our nation that had been wounded that day.

Jenna

Class of 2020

My journey here at Eastern Christian began about 13 years ago. It was the first day of kindergarten. With my only friend being a teddy bear in my hand, I took a deep breath and began the journey of a lifetime. The first day jitters came and went, and I made some pretty great friends. We laughed our way throughout Mrs. James’ Kindergarten class. We were inseparable, I mean literally one day Mrs. Turner had to pry our hands apart for book buddies. The rest of elementary school came and went with some unforgettable times like our first “big kid” field trip to the zoo in first grade, the musical performance of Daniel in the Lion’s Den, and our fourth grade day spent at Spring Lake. The next thing up for our grade was pretty new; middle school.

Middle school was a time where we were given the opportunity to expand our horizons. We made some new friends in our class and more memories that provided us with a laugh. Our class also managed to have a record number of principals during our time in middle school, 3 to be exact. Somehow in 5th grade, Mr. Kuiken’s room became home to Heinz and Guppy, the class fish. I think it’s safe to say we may be the reason for no more class pets. 6th grade was a year full of laughs and games like Squish the Lemon. If you don’t know what that is, our playground had a tube slide. Every recess we would fit as many of us as possible in that slide.

Our transition to 7th grade finally made us feel like we were one step closer to being the big kids on campus again as we got to move hallways to the other side of the school, and we also had planned an overnight trip to Spruce lake in the fall, that is, until a murderer was loose in the woods in Pennsylvania and we had to postpone. Finally, our time to shine as 8th graders had arrived. We finally got to live out our “8th grade privileges” such as being able to stay in the nice heated school doing winter recess and also getting two lockers. We had our big 8th grade trip to Philly and Gettysburg which, like many class trips, was quite unforgettable. We all made some memories before we went our separate paths for high school.

I think that the first day of high school may have been a bit bittersweet for some of us. Some friends had gone to different schools, while others had joined our class at EC. Here we were, a group of teenagers not really knowing who we are. The next 4 years provided us all with the growth we needed to find ourselves. High school was a time like no other. I still remember my first day of high school, like most people I was terrified to speak up. But as time went on, I found my place in the classroom and I made some great friends, and we were once again, inseparable. Things like a student skateboarding through CTE class, a very false bomb drill, and a global pandemic have made our high school time a time to remember.

As I reflect on my life here at EC, I am so thankful for an environment in which I could grow. Being in a place where I am cared for and appreciated helped me to take a chance and step out of my shell. If I failed, I was encouraged to try again and again. EC also provided me a place to try new things. Never once did I think I would manage to take Chemistry Honors my junior year, or voluntarily sign up for Advanced Composition Senior year. Along with growing socially and academically, I have grown tremendously in my faith. At EC, there are people on the same faith journey as you. I am thankful for the teachers and staff who openly shared about their faith journeys and helped me grow in my faith. In the end, I wouldn’t have my education any other way.

Amanda

Class of 2020

Eastern Christian High School is more than a school. It is more than a place to get involved with sports. It is a home. Since the opening of Eastern Christian, it has been a home to thousands of students and will continue to be for years to come. 

If you were to say this to me four years ago, I would have responded with, “Are you crazy?” Now, as a senior, looking back on my time at Eastern Christian, I can confidently say that this school has become my second home. I often make myself laugh when I think about how I was when I started high school and how I am now, finally graduating. 

Four years ago, when I was told that I was attending Eastern Christian, I was nothing less than angry and disappointed. I was feeling these emotions because my friends from my eighth grade class were attending other schools. Attending Eastern Christian meant a new start, new building, new people, new teachers, and an entirely different experience. My whole life, up until that point, was comfortable; I had attended my town public schools which meant the same friends, classmates, and experiences for years. I was not ready to give that up and attend a school where I knew only a few people, including my older brother and his friends. Little did I know that God had a plan for my time at Eastern Christian. A plan that I would have never imagined or thought for myself. 

The first few weeks of my freshman year were rough. I felt uncomfortable in the halls and in the classrooms. I remember being in Mr. Dykstra’s writing class and thinking to myself, “Don’t worry, in a few weeks everything will be different. Just hang on to that”. At the time, I couldn’t latch onto that idea, but as time went on my words slowly became true. As the year continued, I made more friends, joined many different clubs and sports teams, created amazing relationships with teachers, and built the foundation for my relationship with Christ. By the end of the year, I was disappointed that summer had come so soon! Throughout that summer, I waited patiently and eagerly for the start of another year at Eastern Christian. 

Sophomore year was nothing less than amazing and filled with many opportunities, including my first mission trip to Kansas City, Missouri. It was on that mission trip, that I absolutely fell in love with missionary work. Now, I realize that if I attended the same schools as my friends, I would have never been able to go on mission trips and my relationship with Christ would have remained weak. 

Junior year was something special. I was challenged in the classroom, supported in the beginning of the college process, and encouraged to travel abroad. In September of junior year, we were introduced to the new locations of the mission trips. Immediately, I was drawn to Tanzania. My family supported my decision and all of my teachers encouraged me throughout the fundraising process. Without Eastern Christian, I would have never been able to travel to Africa. A place that I now hold so dear to my heart. A place that I plan to go back to after I get my Doctorate of Veterinary Medicine. 

Lastly, senior year. A year that was long anticipated for, but turned out completely different. In the beginning of this year, my class and I could not wait for the end of the year. Why? Because Eastern Christian always celebrates seniors in the most special ways; those include senior breakfasts, senior celebration night, graduation, senior prom, and so on. Although, the year of 2020 had other plans for us. Being quarantined and confined to online school has shown me that Eastern Christian means more to me than I ever realized. This time has always shown me how much can be taken away in the blink of an eye. Although this experience is not how I imagined my senior year to end, I am still so incredibly thankful for the efforts of this school to celebrate my class and I. I will forever love this school more than I could ever express. Thank you Eastern Christian, for the best four years of my life. I will miss you. 

Tara

Grade 12

I came to EC when I was in 7th grade. The decision to leave the familiarity of my old school was very difficult for me. At my old school, a public school in town, I felt a piece missing in my education. I was a dedicated student who worked hard in school and had friends, but something was missing, something I didn’t understand until I came to EC. When I originally shadowed at ECMS, I absolutely loved the community that surrounded me. I barely knew anyone, but they were all so welcoming. I struggled to make the decision whether or not to leave the familiarity of a school I had gone to my whole life, but I knew I was not happy where I was. I realized how much I loved the community at EC, something I didn’t have in public school. As I talked to my parents after shadowing, my mom, an EC Alumni, asked me if, when I was in EC’s school building, I felt like I was home. At that time, it was hard for me to think of any school as home, but something felt different about EC and the community that surrounded me…  so halfway through the school year, I took a leap of faith, trusting in God’s plan, and arrived for my first day of school halfway through the school year. Overwhelmed is the most fitting word for how I felt that first week of school. As overwhelmed I was with the unfamiliarity of my surroundings, I was also overwhelmed by the way the EC community opened their arms to welcome me in. At the end of my first two weeks, I hopped into my mom’s Jeep, absolutely beaming. I told her that she was right, EC is my home. 5 years later, EC is still my home. 

Two months into my freshman year at ECHS, my mom was diagnosed with Stage 3 Ovarian Cancer and my junior year, she passed away. During this time, as I struggled with grief and questions, the EC community surrounded me and my family. As I grieved, I was supported by friends, teachers, and the administration in a way that I will always be thankful for.

On a bigger level, over the 5 years I have gone to EC, I have been blessed with life-long relationships and supportive teachers. One of the “holes” in my public school education was this supportive EC community that surrounds students and families. The teachers at EC truly want their students to succeed not just in their academics, but also in their relationship with Jesus. The faculty takes the time to get to know each and every student on a personal level in order to help them succeed. The friendships I have made have helped strengthen my faith in God and have, in part, made me the person I am today. 

As I look back on the past 5 years of my education at EC, I truly realize how blessed I am. It is rare to find such a loving school community like EC, but I am so thankful I did. My mom’s words to me in 7th grade as I considered starting all over at a new school were an echo to me through my 5 years at EC… EC is my home. 

Aubrey

Grade 3

What do you love about EC?
It is a Christian school and we get to worship God everyday. I love going to chapel every Tuesday because it’s a time that I get to learn about God and we worship God through song together.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?
I learned a lot more Bible stories about God’s goodness and I’ve learned how I can help other people who are far away by praying for them. I can spread God’s love by encouraging people, writing letters, doing food drives, and telling people about God. You don’t have to be afraid to tell other people that God loves them!

If someone was thinking about joining EC but wasn’t sure it was the right school for them, what would you tell them?
If you feel like you want to learn more about God and want to practice praying daily, it can help you to begin good habits in your faith. EC shows you that reading your Bible, praying, and going to church are a way of living out God’s plan for your life.

Who is your favorite teacher and why?
My favorite teacher was Mrs. Sinclair because she gave me a safe place to work out my feelings and my friendships. She always reminded me that people love me and you’re not alone. God is always there for you!

What opportunities do you have at EC that you may not have at another school?
God is talked about in all of my subjects! It’s fun to explore how God has a hand in everything we learn about.

Daniel Onove

Parent

What do you love about EC?
Eastern Christian provides a rigorous academic environment with a caring, competent staff. It is small enough to present a family atmosphere and yet large enough to offer a full range of extra curricular activities in the areas of athletics, drama, and technology. All of the teachers, administrators, and staff knew my children by name and took an interest in their present well being and prospects for future success.

Why did you choose Eastern Christian School for your children?
We chose Eastern Christian because we were looking for a school that offered engaging educational opportunities in a Christ-centered environment. We wanted to ensure that the school they attended would prepare them for the future they envisioned. We have not been disappointed. Our older boys secured generous college scholarships and are now safely ensconced in rewarding and promising professions. All were prepared by their experience at EC for the advanced education that followed high school.

In what ways have you seen your children grow in their faith as a result of their experience at Eastern Christian School?
Through their exposure to teachers, administrators, and staff who embody Biblical values, my children were presented with Christian role models who helped guide their path. Faith-based community service and regular Bible study also led them to grow in faith and commitment.

The Eastern Christian tagline is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How does your child experience this at EC?
Eastern Christian has so many wonderful, caring, and committed teachers, staff, and administrators. It is through their nurturing that students are motivated to get involved in activities that engage their minds and spirits. And as they become more deeply involved in studying the Scriptures, praying, and worshiping, a transformation occurs that deepens their faith and leads them into a closer, more productive relationship with our Creator, and, by extension, those within their sphere of influence.

What would you tell another parent to encourage them to consider enrolling their child at Eastern Christian School?
If you are looking for a school where each child is important, where teachers, administrators, and staff take an active interest in their students’ well being, where rigorous coursework will prepare your son or daughter for the challenges of the future, where enduring friendships are made, and where a Christ-centered education is a priority, then you must consider enrolling your child at Eastern Christian.

Tyler

Seton Hall

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?

The teaching staff at Eastern Christian has been extremely supportive of me in all my endeavors with both education and extracurriculars as well as putting the maximum effort into making sure I succeed as a student and person. Teachers at EC are so friendly, and I look forward to seeing them every day in class, and passing them in the hallway. I’m really going to miss them because I know that no other school that I attend in the future will have teachers even half as amazing as EC.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite.

Mrs. Troast has taken countless hours out of her prep block to have meetings with me whenever I have questions on assignments or I start to fall behind on homework or tests. She makes learning history both engaging and fun, and more than any other person in my life has done her best to ensure my success in humanities and as a student.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?

By having the opportunity to publicly speak about Christ, and by having devotions every morning I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many amazing Christians outside of church and both grow more accepting as a person and to grow my faith with God.

In addition, I’ve also worked on chapel Tech for all 4 years of high school, and I’ve gotten to talk to and work with nearly every speaker and every member of the chapel band who has taken part in a service during my high school career. This gave me a unique opportunity to have conversations with people who love God and the Scriptures which has deeply impacted me.

How do you feel that EC prepared you for graduation, college/career and life?

The skills and education I received at Eastern Christian, as well as the respect, confidence, and morals which were reinforced in my life really prepared me to feel ready for college.

What opportunities did you experience at EC that you don’t think you would have gotten to experience anywhere else?

The grace and kindness which teachers and faculty show to the student body at EC is something I have never seen before and can only be compared to a family.

What would you say to a prospective student considering joining Eastern Christian School?

The student body and faculty at EC are second to none, and no matter what your circumstance, your peers and teachers will do their absolute best to support you and encourage you to continually be better.

What else would you like to share about your EC experience?

Coming in to Eastern Christian I had been homeschooled my whole life, so I had no friends and no schooling experience, but the student body and faculty accepted me with open arms and really made me feel comfortable and loved.

Kristen

Pepperdine

What do you love about Eastern Christian School?

The community at Eastern Christian is by far the most supportive, thoughtful, and kindest school community that I have ever encountered.

Describe one of your favorite teachers and tell why he/she is a favorite.

Mrs. Genuario is my favorite teacher in EC. She is incredibly caring, loving, and can make my day better by just talking to me.

In what ways have you grown in your faith as a result of your experience at Eastern Christian School?

Eastern Christian helped me grow in my faith significantly. Being able to talk about how God is moving through the generations in History, marvel at how God had created our bodies in Health, and many other things in each class helped my faith grow and be more applicable in my day to day life.

At Eastern Christian we talk about an education that is “Engaging. Nurturing. Transforming.” How did you experience this kind of education at EC?

EC education was engaging, nurturing, and transforming. Teachers have a relationship with every single student and encourages them to be more engaged in our lessons and discussions. Through the way that the teachers showed that they care for us and in Bible Study Clubs such as ‘Anchored’, I would constantly feel nurtured during the harder days. EC helped me transform my view on life and had pushed me to run after a life full of purpose, excitement, and one personally given to me by my Creator.

What opportunities did you experience at EC that you don’t think you would have gotten to experience anywhere else?

Eastern Christian has provided me with a modern Christian environment and gave me a platform to be able to freely talk about my experiences in life and how God had been working through me.

What would you say to a prospective student considering joining Eastern Christian School?

I don’t know any other school like Eastern Christian. You can expect to have your world shaken once you join EC.