Jason Carson has led Conway Christian School since 2016, overseeing its enrollment surge, major campus expansions, and development of a strong college-preparatory program. Under his guidance, CCS has added arts and athletic facilities, launched a new high school building, strengthened teacher pay, and built long-term plans for sustainable growth.

What is the mission of Conway Christian School, and how does it shape the overall student experience?

We are a mission-driven school. Our mission states that we partner with Christian families by offering a biblically directed, college-preparatory education that equips students to serve and impact the world for Jesus. I like to think of that in three parts.

First, we’re here to partner with the Christian family. Home, church, and school are like the three legs of a stool; when all three teach the same worldview, students are supported from every side. Second, we’re preparing kids for college. Not all of our students go to college, but the vast majority do, and we make sure everything we teach is grounded in the Bible.

Finally, we want to equip kids to serve others. In today’s culture, it’s easy to raise self-focused kids, but we want our students to look outward, to love others the way Jesus did. That’s really the capstone of our goal.

Conway Christian has seen significant growth in recent years. What do you think is driving increased enrollment?

When I started here in 2016, we had about 430 students. This year we’re at 820. Part of that growth came from families looking for a different kind of education after 2020, one focused on core academics and a Christian worldview. The Learns Act and the Educational Freedom Account have also made private education more affordable for families who want this type of environment. But we were already growing before that; those programs just helped more families access what we offer.

How has the school adapted its facilities and resources to keep up with growth?

Ten years ago, we had only an elementary and an upper school. We’ve since added new facilities for the arts and athletics, including a multipurpose auditorium, new classrooms, and spaces for drama, choir, and band. Our weight room and locker rooms have been completely upgraded.

Currently, we’re building a storm shelter that will double as a cafeteria and a three-story high school building with expanded athletic space, classrooms, and an Eagle’s Nest store. The project is almost entirely debt-free, thanks to generous donors and our partnership with First Security Bank. Because of that financial foundation, we’ve been able to raise teacher pay, expand programs, and plan for continued growth without taking on a heavy debt load.

We also purchased 11 acres across the road for future expansion, ensuring the school can grow responsibly while maintaining its strong financial position.

We’re intentional about staying small. How does that help maintain a close-knit culture?

We’re intentional about staying small because it’s what allows us to know every student and family personally. We think the ideal size is around 70 to 75 students per grade, large enough for strong programs but small enough that it still feels like family. I like to say we’re like a bunch of cousins: we know each other, sometimes we squabble, but we care about one another. That sense of connection is what makes Conway Christian special and is one of the biggest reasons families choose us.

What excites you most about the projects underway now?

Having a dedicated high school building and a storm shelter that doubles as a cafeteria will be a huge step forward. Beyond that, what excites me most is how the school is maturing, having distinct identities for elementary, middle, junior high, and high school. That structure benefits students academically and socially, giving each group space to grow while still feeling part of one unified school community.

Looking ahead, what plans or goals does the school have to sustain and manage continued growth?

We believe the sweet spot for our school and community is around 1,000 students, with about 70 to 75 per grade. That’s sustainable for our land, our staff, and our programs. We’ve developed a financial plan that supports teacher pay increases and continued program growth, and our low-debt model gives us flexibility for the future.

As Conway continues to grow, we want to remain a value-added part of the city’s education landscape, a school that provides families with a strong, faith-based choice and prepares students to impact the world for Christ.

Presented by