The Four (by the Association of Classical Christian Schools)

ACCS

5.0 (4)
EDUCATION

Welcome to The Four, a practical show where we discuss four meaningful questions of distinct classical consequence.

1D AGO

Servant Leadership Is Overrated: The Hard Truth About Leading a Christian School

In this episode of The Four, the panel tackles a big question for classical Christian schools: is “servant leadership” actually the right model—or can it become an excuse for weak, indecisive leadership? 00:19 Question #1 - Is servant leadership a model for ACCS schools? 12:22 Question #2 - Should leaders desire to be great? 24:46 Question #3 - How does authority versus expertise work? 25:13 Question #4 - Should all heads of schools have been teachers? 13:13 Question #5(Bonus Question) - How do you find a good head of school? In this episode, David Goodwin, Heather Lloyd, Ty Rallens, and Devin O’Donnell argue that good leaders do serve, but they serve the mission and the common good—not just people’s comfort or approval. Real leadership means making decisions, taking responsibility (“extreme ownership”), and building confidence, while still practicing humility without projecting constant weakness. They also discuss what makes a leader “great” from a classical/Christian view: greatness isn’t vanity—it’s moral character, virtue, and practical wisdom, balanced with courage, prudence, and structure. Finally, they talk hiring: struggling schools should prioritize mission fit, often looking locally—promoting someone inside the school or recruiting a mission-aligned parent/community member—because “successful somewhere else” doesn’t always mean “successful here.” #ClassicalChristianEducation #ServantLeadership #ChristianLeadership #SchoolLeadership #HeadOfSchool #LeadershipDevelopment #ExtremeOwnership #ClassicalEducation #EducationalLeadership #TeacherLeadership #SchoolAdministration #LeadershipPrinciples #VirtueEthics #MoralCharacter #AuthorityAndHumility #LeadershipMindset #MissionDriven #PrivateSchoolLeadership #ClassicalSchool #LeadershipTraining #EducationPodcast #ChristianSchools #FacultyLeadership #BoardGovernance #OrganizationalLeadership #LeadershipSkills #DecisionMaking #Accountability #BuildingCulture #LeadingWithVision

36 min
FEB 3

Religion & Politics?? Taboo or Necessary?

In this episode of The Four podcast, Heather Lloyd sits down with Devin, David, and Ty to talk through the real-world questions that come up in classical Christian schools every day: how schools should handle secondary doctrine (like eschatology, baptism, communion, and other denominational distinctives) with clarity for families, and why clear boundaries in handbooks and teacher hiring matter, helping to guide classroom discussion and expectations. The conversation challenges the claim that “classical education is neutral,” and engages the idea that “nothing is neutral.” The podcast next explores what it means for education to be inherently formative—touching on politics, catechesis, prayer as formation, and whether classical Christian schools should have any “ties” to the U.S. Department of Education. If you’re a school leader, teacher, or parent navigating doctrinal clarity, school culture, and faithful formation, this one is for you—like, subscribe, and share to help strengthen Christian education in your community 00:37 Question #1 - Should schools have policies on secondary doctrine? 14:07 Question #2 - Is classical education neutral (in respect to religion)? 21:19 Question #3 - Should Classical Christian education have ties to the Department of Education? 32:22 Question #4 - Is education political? #TheFourPodcast #TheFour #ClassicalChristianEducation #ClassicalEducation #ChristianEducation #ChristianSchools #ACCS #SchoolLeadership #Headmaster #TeacherTraining #FacultyTraining #SchoolCulture #StatementOfFaith #DoctrinalClarity #SecondaryDoctrine #Denominations #NiceneCreed #ApostlesCreed #Eschatology #Premillennialism #Amillennialism #Postmillennialism #Dispensationalism #Baptism #Sacraments #Communion #Catechesis #Discipleship #FaithAndLearning #TruthAndBeauty #EducationPhilosophy #NeutralityInEducation #NothingIsNeutral #ChristianFormation #ClassicalClassroom #SocraticMethod #ClassroomDiscussion #ParentPartnership #SchoolHandbook #PrivateSchool #ClassicalChristianSchool #EducationAndPolitics #DepartmentOfEducation #CulturalEngagement #ChristianWorldview #TakeEveryThoughtCaptive #Apologetics #HomeschoolFamilies #ChristianParents #TeacherSupport #SchoolPolicy #Accreditation #K12Education #ChristianSchoolPodcast

40 min
JAN 27

Myths & Facts: What is ACCS Accreditation??

In this special edition of The Four, David Goodwin, Heather Lloyd, and Aaron Laenger take a deep dive into ACCS Accreditation—separating fact from myth and clarifying what accreditation really is (and isn’t). 2:50 Question #1 - Will teachers wearing Birkenstocks affect a school's ability to get accredited? 8:09 Question #2 - Does front desk appearance matter for ACCS accreditation? 23:31 Question #3 - Does ACCS accredit 3&4 day schools, or just 5-day schools? 28:17Question #4 - Do teachers have to have their kids at the school? 32:30 Question #5 - What is Progressive Education? 36:12 Question #6 - Why would sight-word learning be antithetical to classical Christian education? 44:05 Question #7 - Does the Board need to have meeting minutes in order to get accredited? 46:12 Question #8 - Should black shoes be a required part of the Uniform? 48:49 Question #9 - Does the handbook need to have a statement of faith in it? 52:08Question #10 - Can an ACCS school have female board members? 57:04Question #11 - Does an ACCS school need a school of grammar, logic, and rhetoric? 59:53Question #12 - Is ACCS accreditation the hardest out there? 01:01:02 Question #13 - What are the most pivotally important aspects to ACCS accreditation?

1h 7m
JAN 26

Boys & Girls at School

Four Questions. Four Answers. In this episode of The Four, Ty, David, Heather, and Devin consider what boys and girls are made of. In a gender-confused world, how do we train our young people to glory in their sexed differences and cultivate the unique pieties belonging to men or women. 0:00 Intro 0:22 Question #1 → What are solid uniform requirements? 12:22 Question #2 → How much combat play is appropriate on the field? 22:09 Question #3 →Are there excessively feminine patterns that exist in our schools? 26:30 Question #4 → Why are we doing “mixed schools”? What is the value of coed schools and what is the value of single sex schools?

41 min
JAN 14

Boards, Faculty Meetings, and School Clubs

Four questions. Four answers. Listen as four administrators share their experience and wisdom on the tough questions in classical education. In this episode: 0:00 Introduction 00:23 Question #1: Does classical education exist without Latin or Greek? 6:44 Question #2: What is the best use of your time with faculty? (5:00) 15:03 Question #3: Is John Carver's Boards That Make a Difference a good model for CC schools? 26:12 Question #4: Should classical Christian schools allow TP chapters?

45 min
JAN 6

What is new for ACCS this year?

Heather Lloyd, David Goodwin, and Devin O’Donnell discuss ACCS priorities and what to expect in 2026. The Episode Includes: Introduction - 0:00-0:20 00:20 - AmFest / JD Vance Quotes: America as "Christian nation" - debated? 08:20 - Transition to ACCS in 2026: Building the future + Concordis relationship 08:50 - Repairing the Ruin conference(30-year milestone) + speakers/theme 11:02 - Atlas Teacher training + certification program (why it matters, what it includes) 13:15 - Book + growth strategy: "Forging the American Mind," Battle for the American School, partnerships, launch goals. 16:04 - Accreditation upgrades + self study tool 17:40 - Wrap-up + Concordis relations, + new staff The Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) is a membership and accreditation organization for schools committed to classical Christian education in the Protestant tradition. The Four is a podcast of the ACCS to equip school leaders to face the tough questions of classical education in the modern world.

19 min
12/22/2025

The Four: AmFest Recap

Heather Lloyd (Concordis Partners) and David Goodwin (ACCS) discuss recent events at Turning Point AmFest and the Lessons and Carols event. The Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) is a membership and accreditation organization for schools committed to classical Christian education in the Protestant tradition. The Four is a podcast of the ACCS to equip school leaders to face the tough questions of classical education in the modern world.

20 min
12/16/2025

What Should We Do About AI and Technology in General?

Heather Lloyd, David Goodwin, Devin O'Donnell, and Ty Rallens discuss four questions about classical consequence. This episode's questions include: 1. Smartboards in the classroom. Good or Bad? 2. Audiobooks - Yes or No? Good or Bad? 3. Thesis Projects. Are they still worth it in the age of AI? 4. Battle question! What is the classical Christian response to AI? The Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) is a membership and accreditation organization for schools committed to classical Christian education in the Protestant tradition. The Four is a podcast of the ACCS to equip school leaders to face the tough questions of classical education in the modern world.

39 min
12/09/2025

Fighting for School Culture

The Four Episode 2 - Fighting for School Culture Heather Lloyd, David Goodwin, Devin O'Donnell, and Ty Rallens discuss four questions about classical consequence. This episode's questions include: 1. Cheerleaders - Are they Good or Bad? 2. Gentle Parenting - Is it Good or Bad? 3. Teaching Logic in one grade, teaching Logic across several grades, teaching Logic too early or too late, or not teaching Logic at all. What is the best way to teach Logic? 4. Battle question! Are house systems a necessary way to shape school culture—do they work? Why not student council instead? The Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) is a membership and accreditation organization for schools committed to classical Christian education in the Protestant tradition. The Four is a podcast of the ACCS to equip school leaders to face the tough questions of classical education in the modern world.

33 min
12/01/2025

Episode 1: Welcome to “The Four” – Four People, Four Questions

Welcome to “The Four” podcast, where we discuss four questions on classical consequence.

37 min

10 Episodes

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

Welcome to The Four, a practical show where we discuss four meaningful questions of distinct classical consequence.

Creator

ACCS
Years Active

2025 - 2026
Episodes

10
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© ACCS
Show Website

The Four (by the Association of Classical Christian Schools)

Education

Education

Updated Weekly
Education

Education

Updated Weekly