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We believe every student is an eternal being, created on purpose and for a purpose. Because of that, our aim extends beyond preparing students for college or careers—we seek to cultivate young men and women who increasingly know, love, and follow Christ in every area of life.

 

The Portrait of Formation describes the kind of people we hope our students are becoming. Rather than measuring success by a checklist of outcomes at graduation, it provides a shared vision for lifelong discipleship and the characteristics we seek to nurture throughout every stage of a student's journey.

The five Marks of Formation and their accompanying indicators help guide our teaching, mentoring, and assessment as we partner with families to cultivate students who are growing in faith, conviction, relationships, character, and stewardship.

 The Portrait of Formation


Theological Umbrella:

  • We believe every student is an eternal being, created on purpose and for a purpose.
  • We believe the Lordship of Christ is comprehensive.
  • We believe discipleship is relational, immersive, and ongoing.

  • We do not produce finished disciples. We aim to create an environment where lifelong discipleship is encouraged and cultivated

    Within this portrait we articulate Formation Indicators—observable evidences of growth that reflect our commitments while recognizing that God alone gives the growth.

A Cedar Valley student increasingly demonstrates maturity in faith, conviction, relationships, character, and stewardship.

 

The Five Marks of Formation at Cedar Valley


Devoted Faith

Students increasingly understand and live under the comprehensive Lordship of Christ.

Formation Indicators
Students demonstrate:

  • Age-appropriate understanding of the gospel and the ability to articulate its central message.  
     
  • Growing understanding of the grand narrative of Scripture (Creation, Fall, Redemption, Restoration)
     
  • Ability to apply and articulate a biblical worldview across disciplines and areas of life. 
     
  • Habitual engagement with spiritual rhythms (prayer, Scripture reading, worship)
     
  • Increasing alignment between professed belief and lived practice
     
  • Growing awareness of identity rooted in Christ rather than achievement
     
  • Increasing evidence of Christlike character through the fruit of the Spirit. 


     

Thoughtful Conviction

Students increasingly integrate faith and intellect with humility and clarity.

Formation Indicators
Students demonstrate:

  • Logical and critical reasoning informed by Scripture
     
  • Willingness to wrestle with complex questions
     
  • Capacity to defend truth without arrogance
     
  • Growth in confession, repentance, and intellectual humility
     
  • Ability to engage competing worldviews respectfully and thoughtfully
     


Relational Wisdom

Students increasingly reflect the character of Christ in Christian community.


Formation Indicators
Students demonstrate:

  • Healthy peer relationships rooted in respect, honesty, and mutual encouragement. 
     
  • Participation in multi-age community
     
  • Biblical conflict resolution skills
     
  • Active service within church and community contexts
     
  • Understanding their role and responsibility in God’s redemptive plan
     


Resilient Character

Students increasingly embrace challenge, accept responsibility, and persevere with hope. 

Formation Indicators
Students demonstrate:

  • Personal responsibility for decisions and actions
     
  • Ability to work independently appropriate to developmental stage
     
  • Perseverance in academic and relational difficulty
     
  • Receptivity to correction
     
  • A growing comfort with learning through failure
     
  • Wise decision-making regarding health, possessions, time, and environment
     


Purposeful Stewardship

Students increasingly recognize that all they have and all they are belongs to God and is to be stewarded for His glory. 

Formation Indicators
Students demonstrate:

  • Identification and development of God-given gifts, talents, and interests
     
  • Academic competence appropriate for next-stage preparation
     
  • Pursuit of excellence as an act of worship and faithful stewardship
     
  • Recognition that every area of life can be offered to God as worship
     
  • Engagement in church and community
     
  • Emerging understanding of life and vocation as commission
     

 

 

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