When my family discussed moving back to America and the high schools my sister and I could attend, my mind went straight to a Disney Tween movie: the various cliques, the clubs considered social suicide, and the terror of who to sit with at lunch. Then we visited Delaware County Christian School and I thought, “They’re all Christian, how horrible could it be?” and that’s what makes the difference in my mind - Christian Education. There are no well-defined cliques, and being such a small school, everyone knows who everyone is.  I will never understand the fascination that surrounds the way that I say “Harry Potter.” The best bit is that no American considers the fact that they have an accent as well, a very nice one.

Transferring from a school of 1000 girls, in which every religion and ethnicity is represented, to be able to be openly and confidently Christian without being compartmentalized has been a blessing. At first I couldn’t believe the faculty and their friendly relationship with the student -body, every teacher was strictly ‘sir’ or ‘miss’ in England.  Instead of a clear divide between students and faculty we are a community – all brothers and sisters in Christ, everyone included, which has been one of the most refreshing things that I have seen in my first weeks at DC.

People ask, ‘What is the biggest difference?’ and truthfully, it isn’t the school size, of the change in the curriculum, or the fact that four years of high school is mandatory for everyone, math included. The biggest difference is the people. “England would be very nice if not for the people” is something my mom says. There has been no suspicion of either me or my sister entering a new school here, people are happy to make friends and expand their already established friendship circle, without asking “What is in it for me?” Whether that is the Christianity or just the natural American way, it has been something that I have noticed the most.

The first Chapel that we had really emphasized the point that it is welcomed and encouraged to show our love for God in this environment. At our English school one girl said to me once “You’re a Jesus person? Oh.” And that was it. To see such a large body of teenagers wanting to get together and worship was very reassuring.  

The change from a public school to education at DC has been the most renewing of our family’s move. It took only a couple of days to know where to go when, another aspect that helped to make me feel included. For all of the things that I might miss about England, school here has been upgraded.