2 Peter 1:3 “His divine power has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence . . .”
How many of us, when considering what makes an excellent student, would think first about grades, SAT scores, or academic achievement in general? But should those be the primary ways we measure excellence?
Merriam-Webster defines excellence as “an excellent or valuable quality; virtue.”[1] The Greek concept arete, translated “excellence” in the verse above, likewise concerns morality, honor, and performing highly in fulfilling one’s duties.[2]
For centuries, educators recognized that education is fundamentally concerned with training students in virtue, or how to order rightly what they love. As a classical Christian school, DVCS seeks to cultivate rightly-ordered loves in each student through every way of learning. Because God himself is to be loved most highly and the highest standard of excellence, it follows that those who love him should pursue excellence.
As the verse cited in conjunction with this core value states, we are “called to his own glory and excellence,” not our own. This applies not only to students in the classroom but also to faculty, staff, and parents as we seek to put our best into all we think, say, and do as working unto the Lord and not man. At DVCS, this takes forms like students volunteering to serve younger classes, teachers lovingly offering constructive feedback, classmates helping each other with homework, and parents and staff partnering to train students in the way of virtue.
Academic achievement in terms of grades or scores is not in itself a measure of excellence. It is entirely possible to get good grades without caring for the truth in the material being studied or devoting oneself to diligent study for the sake of the truth. Likewise, it is possible for a student who cares for the truth and applies himself diligently to get a lower grade. Grades can serve a useful reporting function, but cultivating a love of learning and its Source is to be loved far more highly than an A on a report card. “Grade righteousness” falls far short of virtue developed through studying the truth, goodness, and beauty of God revealed in his Word and creation. A student who loves God and loves to learn will apply himself to perform to the best of his ability.
Excellence does not equal perfection. Only God perfectly exemplifies the virtues to which we aspire and inevitably fall short even in our desire for them. But when faculty, staff, parents, and students pursue excellence together in community, we spur one another on toward offering our best to God.
Does he not deserve, at the very least, our very best?
[1] Merriam-Webster, s.v. “Excellence,” accessed September 14, 2021, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/excellence
[2] Lauwerys et al., “Education,” Encyclopedia Britannica Online, accessed September 15, 2021, https://www.britannica.com/topic/education/Education-in-classical-cultures
