New Gordon Consortium Partners with Christian High Schools

In an effort to strengthen Gordon’s relationships with Christian high schools in the U.S. and abroad, the College has established the Gordon Grapevine Consortium, an initiative under Admissions and Gordon’s new Director of School Relations Sharon Carlson. “We are thrilled to announce this first group of Grapevine Consortium partner schools,” Carlson says. “These intentional partnerships will enhance our existing relationships, which have been so valuable to the College.” The Consortium’s name stems from both Gordon’s physical address on Grapevine Road and a verse from the Gospel of John (“No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine”—John 15:4b). “As institutions of Christian education, we are partners in educating the next generation of servants and leaders for Christ,” states the partnership agreement. “Just as a single grape tree cannot alone sustain a vineyard, we too are stronger in number. A vineyard is complete because of the abundance of trees producing fruit alongside one another. Likewise, Christian schools work in tandem to bear fruit together, united by the true vine of Christ.” Now Gordon is connected with 15 high schools ranging from the nearby Covenant Christian Academy in Peabody, MA, to Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale, FL, all the way to Pan American Christian Academy in São Paolo, Brazil. Carlson says she desires to be a supportive resource for Gordon’s partner schools. These ties will support the work of Christian educators and provide access to the College’s programs for high school students, including Elevate, Theology Matters and Athletics camps, in addition to scholarships for students who enroll at Gordon from partner schools. High school faculty also receive discounted tuition for Gordon’s graduate programs in education and financial analysis. Since the Gordon Grapevine Consortium launched upon Carlson’s arrival to Gordon in the fall, she has traveled to high schools around the country to meet with heads of schools and extend personal invitations to the Consortium. Building on these established relationships with schools, Carlson says she has been delighted by schools’ positive responses—in just four months, she surpassed her goal of 10 partner schools. Gordon’s pool of accepted students for the fall of 2018 includes 58 students from these 15 schools. The Grapevine Consortium will continue to expand as additional Christian schools partner with Gordon in the days ahead. “Previously serving as a college counselor and head of school gives me a unique perspective on schools’ hopes and challenges as they help their students navigate the college selection process,” Carlson says. “I am so pleased to come alongside to give students access to all Gordon has to offer.” Gordon is pleased to announce these inaugural Grapevine Consortium partners: Boston Trinity Academy—Hyde Park, MA Bradford Christian Academy—Haverhill, MA Charlotte Christian Academy—Charlotte, NC Covenant Christian Academy—Peabody, MA Eastern Christian School—North Haledon, NJ Faith Heritage School—Syracuse, NY Houghton Academy—Houghton, NY Loudonville Christian School—Loudonville, NY Nashua Christian Academy—Nashua, NH Pan American Christian Academy—Sao Paolo, Brazil Plumstead Christian School—Plumsteadville, PA Portsmouth Christian School—Dover, NH South Shore Christian School—Weymouth, MA Westminster Academy—Fort Lauderdale, FL Whitinsville Christian High School—Whitinsville, MA To connect with the Gordon Grapevine Consortium, email [email protected].