About Christian Character Academy
A ministry founded by, and for, the churches and families of New London.
Founded by the New London Faith Group
Christian Character Academy was established by the New London Faith Group — a local board of Christian men and women who represent churches throughout our community. They are not a national organization or an outside ministry. They are the pastors, parents, business owners, and grandparents who live here, worship here, and are raising children here.
The board came together around a simple conviction: character is caught as much as it is taught, and the hours children spend in school are the hours that shape them most. So rather than ask families to find one more evening on an already-full calendar, CCA brings character education into the rhythm of the school day itself, under Ohio's released-time religious instruction law.
Every teacher is trained and cleared through Ohio BCI and FBI fingerprint background checks — the same checks the state requires of its own teachers. Every lesson is reviewed by the board. And because churches across New London are represented at the table, no single congregation sets the agenda — the whole community does.
“See that you do not despise one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven.
What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off.”
We believe every child matters — the same way a shepherd searches for the one sheep who wandered off.
What We Believe
A short, plain statement of the faith our teaching rests on — written to be read, not filed away.
- One God, Three Persons
- We believe in one God, eternally existing as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — perfect in love, holiness, and faithfulness, and personally involved in the lives of the people He made.
- Salvation Through Christ Alone
- We believe Jesus Christ lived without sin, died in our place, and rose again — and that forgiveness and new life come by grace through faith in Him, not by anything we earn.
- The Authority of Scripture
- We believe the Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for what we teach. When we talk with students about honesty, courage, or forgiveness, we point them to Scripture rather than opinion.
- The Church as the Body of Christ
- We believe the Church is one body made of many local congregations. That is why CCA is led jointly by churches across New London — we serve families, and we send students home to their own church, not to ours.
- Every Person Made in God’s Image
- We believe every child is made in the image of God and carries worth that nothing can cancel. Each student is treated with dignity and respect, whatever their background, ability, or home situation.
How This Works Legally
Most parents have never heard the phrase “released-time instruction.” Here is what it means, without the legal fog.
Released time simply means a public school may excuse a student from class for a period of religious instruction, as long as the parent asks for it and the school itself is not running or paying for the instruction. It is a long-settled practice, and four things keep it that way.
Completely voluntary
No student is enrolled automatically, and no one is singled out for opting out. Families choose in, and they can change their mind at any time.
Written parental permission
A student attends only after a parent or guardian signs a permission form. The school never makes that decision, and neither do we.
Held off public school property
Classes meet at the Little Red School House, just across from the New London Public School building — never inside the school itself. Students are released for one class period and walked to and from the site by our staff.
No public funding
CCA is paid for entirely by churches, families, and local donors. Not one dollar of district or taxpayer money supports the program.
The United States Supreme Court upheld released-time religious instruction of exactly this kind in Zorach v. Clauson, 343 U.S. 306 (1952). If you would like to review our permission form or lesson materials before deciding, we will gladly hand you a copy.
Still have questions? Good — ask them.
Walk through a class period start to finish, or go ahead and reserve your child’s spot. Either way, you will know exactly what the hour looks like before it begins.