EC Blog

Eastern Christian School is pleased to announce it is the recipient of the 2025 National District of Character by Character.org, a nationally respected organization that advocates for character development in schools and communities. This year, 71 schools and only 3 school districts around the country—including Eastern Christian—have earned this national honor. Eastern Christian had previously…

The spirit of friendly competition and strong community ties were in full swing on Monday, May 20 at the annual EC Golf Outing held at Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg. Despite some challenging winds throughout the day, the sun was out for our sold-out crowd of 128 golfers. Alongside the generous support of 50…

Middle school is a whirlwind of emotions, new experiences, and shifting responsibilities. For many students, this period brings growth and discovery — but it can also be overwhelming. At Eastern Christian School, we believe every student should be seen and valued as they navigate these crucial years. Here’s how we walk alongside families to help…

Eastern Christian’s Herald is a great look at the past 6 months at EC. It includes news from all three school campuses, foundation news, alumni news, upcoming events and more! The Herald is a fantastic way for alumni and members of the current school community to learn more about what’s going on at EC. Check…

Eastern Christian School has been blessed with decades of wise, forward-thinking leadership in its board of directors and administration. As a result, we have a strong, established school with excellent facilities on 42 acres of land across three campuses. Eastern Christian is not only the oldest and largest Christian school in the tri-state area, but…

Exciting news about the future of EC was shared by Head of School Dr. Ruth Kuder at the Auction Gala on April 4 at Westmount Country Club! She announced the launch of the public phase of Eastern Christian’s capital campaign, Building on a Firm Foundation, aimed at enhancing our students’ educational experience. This campaign will…

As a parent, you know that college success isn’t left to chance. It’s shaped by pivotal moments during high school: Embracing challenges with resilience. Exploring new interests that spark passion and purpose. Building meaningful connections that influence their growth. And leaning on their faith in God to navigate what lies ahead. With every step they…

Today, I am sorting through responses written by former alumni. I am looking for specific stories that may make future, interesting articles. But suddenly, reading through the responses as one large pile starts to choke me up. In these pages, quote after quote, life after life, a singular theme jumps out at me: Christian education…

Varsity Girls V Basketball: The 15-7 Lady Eagles enjoyed another highly competitive season marked by a second-place finish in the division and a #6 seed in the county tournament (the highest in recent memory.) Four keys to success were 1) unselfish, team-first spirit 2) tenacious man-to-man defense and rebounding led by Kirsten Braunius, Caroline Pringle,…

Head of School Dr. Ruth Kuder credits proper governance and planning as one reason Eastern Christian School, as an institution, has been around since 1892. One way EC distinguishes itself from other Christian schools is by being governed by a school board rather than a church. In addition to the individuals tasked with the day-to-day…

For parents of many high school students, choosing the right school often comes down to this question: “Is this a place where my teen will be supported and encouraged to grow into the person God has called them to be?” A school can have impressive rankings and resources, but if it doesn’t nurture faith, excellence,…

Nobody denies the importance of academics. Each content area has practical applications that play a role in a student’s development and future career. As important as these subjects are and as engaging as they can be for some students, a well-rounded student pairs academic pursuits with extracurricular endeavors. There’s so much more to a child…

Eastern Christian School was announced a 2025 District of Character today, an award bestowed by Character.org to only five districts and 98 schools in the country. This state-level recognition is the first step in the National District of Character recognition process. Eastern Christian last won this award in 2020. Schools are selected based upon successful…

The 2025-2026 school calendar has been finalized and approved, so feel free to mark your calendars with important dates for next school year! You may download the printable 2025-2026 calendar or view the dates online. These dates have been added to the calendar page on our website. Additional school events will continue to be added…

What makes a high school truly great? Can it be measured by the test scores, college acceptance rates, or number of students? Here’s the truth: high school is often seen as the gateway to college, but it’s so much more than that. High school is a critical season for teens to discover their God-given gifts,…

We will not hide them from their descendants; we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the Lord, his power, and the wonders he has done. He decreed statutes for Jacob and established the law in Israel, which he commanded our ancestors to teach their children, so the next generation would know them,…

Curious about what it takes to perform at the highest level whether in school, business, or even on the field? Want to learn more about how to direct passion and build mental toughness to gain a competitive edge? Eastern Christian School invites you to a community leadership event on January 8 from 7:30-8:30 p.m. in…

What do we do when we realize we’re living on borrowed time? We all know deep down that we’re not going to be on this Earth forever, yet many of us tend to live like we’ve got all the time in the world, constantly telling ourselves that we’ll take care of it tomorrow or we’ll…

Varsity Varsity Tennis: With the departure of most of last year’s starting lineup, this year’s team faced a steep climb to reach match readiness. Three returning seniors were joined by a group of first-time varsity starters, all of whom rose to the challenge, finishing the season with a 6-5-1 league record. Taline Madalian earned the…

Eastern Christian School has once again been named a Top Workplace in NJ and we are in search of bus drivers! Dedicated to raising up students to be Christ’s transforming agents in a global society, we are looking for purpose-minded individuals to drive our mission forward…literally! We currently have opportunities for full-time and part-time bus…

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.” Psalm 100:4-5 We are full of praise and thanksgiving to God for the magnificent weekend of HomEComing festivities! It is such…

The purpose of any school, particularly high school, is more than to just educate younger generations in the present moment, but to prepare them for the future. Part of that future is of course college applications. Anyone who has gone through or is currently going through this process will likely tell you that it’s not…

The Eastern Christian community--students, parents, alumni, supporters and friends--are invited to a Community Worship Night on Wednesday, November 13 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. This event is completely free and open to all ages. It will be held in the high school auditorium with refreshments to follow. After a highly impactful high school chapel…

At Eastern Christian School, our mission has always been to partner with parents and local churches to raise up the next generation of Christ’s transforming agents. This is why we are excited to announce the launch of our Parent Academy, a new initiative designed to further support parent education and strengthen our shared commitment to…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Daniel Meys as admissions counselor. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Southeastern University in Business Management and is currently an elder-in-training at his church.  Please tell us about yourself. I am happily married to my wife, Courtney, and have three children: Aden, Beckham and Easton. Aden and Beckham are both enrolled…

As Christians, we are called to be in community with one another. As Hebrews 10:25 calls us to do, we must not give up on meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, and in a time where more and more people, regardless of religious beliefs, are more prone to isolate, we must…

When my children were little, I often walked them to Goffle Brook Park. It was before the park’s renovation, and at that time, the brook was easily accessible. As they played in the water on warm days, I would look out at this giant oak tree, standing tall next to the stream, and pray Psalm…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Hannah Arters as math paraprofessional in the resource room. Hannah received her bachelor’s in intercultural studies and disability ministry studies. She has previously served as a preschool teacher and in disability ministry. Having recently moved from Chicago, she has settled into Cornerstone Christian Church, where her husband is a youth pastor. …

Eastern Christian School welcomes Abby Provencher as high school English teacher. Abby received a bachelor’s in English language and literature from Gordon College. She recently worked at Touch the World Ministries and is a member of Cornerstone Christian Church, where she serves on the tech and worship teams. Please tell us about yourself. I grew…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Christine Walker as paraprofessional. Christine received a bachelor’s in business administration from Seton Hall University. She is a current EC parent and serves as youth director and Sunday School teacher at her church.  Please tell us about yourself. I was born and raised a Jersey girl. I grew up in Oradell…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Christiana Eisenlord as fifth grade writing and science teacher. She holds a bachelor’s in English and a master’s in secondary education, both from Wheaton College. Please tell us about yourself. I grew up in Orange County, New York, but I consider myself an honorary Jersey girl since I attended private schools…

Eastern Christian School welcomes back alumna Anneliese Kuipers as high school paraprofessional. A recent graduate, Anneliese earned a bachelor’s in English creative writing at William Paterson University.  Please tell us about yourself. I have lived in North Haledon for the majority of my life. After studying for two years at Calvin University, I returned to…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Madison Wynbeek as sixth grade math and science teacher. An EC alumna, Madison graduated from Gordon College with a bachelor’s in elementary education. Most recently, she served as a first grade teacher at a public school in Massachusetts. Please tell us about yourself. I grew up in New Jersey and I…

Eastern Christian School welcomes William Tantum as high school technology teacher. William holds a bachelor’s in psychology, with a minor in education from Rutgers University, a master’s in educational technology from Ramapo College, and a master’s in educational leadership from Montclair University. Prior to teaching at Eastern Christian, he spent years in public education as…

Eastern Christian’s Herald is a great look at the past 6 months at EC. It includes news from all three school campuses, foundation news, alumni news, upcoming events and more! The Herald is a fantastic way for alumni and members of the current school community to learn more about what’s going on at EC. Check…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Josephine Kong as high school fine arts teacher. Josephine graduated Syracuse University with a B.F.A. in Art Education.  Please tell us about yourself. My name is Josephine Kong and I was born in California, but grew up in New Jersey. I love to create, whether that's through baking and cooking or…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Mary Claire Falke as kindergarten teacher. Mary Claire holds a master’s degree in teaching from James Madison University, as well as a bachelor’s degree from James Madison University in interdisciplinary studies, with concentrations in math/science/technology and a minor in elementary education and special education. Prior to coming to Eastern Christian School,…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Christine Matias as high school mathematics teacher. Christine holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics and elementary education and a master’s in education–special education, both from Monmouth University. Christine has spent her professional career serving as a middle school and high school mathematics teacher. After eleven years in public education, Christine felt…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Stacie Bradley as third grade teacher. Stacie holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Houghton College and a master’s in teaching childhood education from Western Governors University. Previously, she taught at a Christian school in Boston. A very recent transplant to New Jersey, she grew up in update New York and…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Sebastian Olukun as senior accountant. Sebastian holds a bachelor’s in radio, television and film from Rutgers University and a master’s in entertainment business from Full Sail University. Prior to coming to Eastern Christian School, she worked at Mustard Seed School as director of business and operations. Please tell us about yourself.…

Eastern Christian School welcomes Justin Hwang as high school dean of students. Justin holds a bachelor’s in mathematics and secondary education from The College of New Jersey and a master’s in educational leadership from Ramapo College of New Jersey. Before joining EC, he previously taught math at Leonia High School and coached varsity boys tennis. …

Eastern Christian School hosted a two-day reunification exercise training sponsored by the "I Love U Guys" Foundation. The foundation provides 350-400 security trainings a year and serves more than 50,000 schools, districts, agencies, departments and organizations internationally. Administrators, law enforcement and security personnel from more than a dozen schools and police districts across the state,…

The spiritual theme for 2024-2025 is “Grow, Gather, Go” with Hebrews 10:23-25 as our key verses: “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are…

Not only has NJ.com named Eastern Christian School a Top Workplaces 2024 award winner, but we ranked number 1 among medium sized companies (150-499 employees in the region). This is the sixth time EC has received a Top Workplaces award!  "We are honored to be recognized once more," shares Dr. Ruth Kuder, head of school.…

Congratulations to the EC class of 2024! Click on the links below for access to the photo galleries from each graduation and promotion ceremony plus videos of the eighth grade promotion and high school commencement.  Photos available online here.    Would you like to watch the full ceremony? Watch High School Commencement Watch Middle School…

Softball Finishing 7-14, the girls competed in a challenging league and independent schedule put together by first-year coach Jerry Mercadante. Led by senior captain Gianna Angelucci, the team earned praise and appreciation from opposing coaches for their play on the field (especially base running) as well as their enthusiasm, sportsmanship and support for each other.…

In a meeting this spring, a group of educators and administrators from throughout the nation visited our campuses to review and recommend Eastern Christian School for re-accreditation to Middle States Accreditation and first-time accreditation to the Christian Schools International Accreditation Commission. The visiting team unanimously recommended the school for accreditation, as well as recommended the…

We’ve got spirit! Yes, we do. We’ve got spirit! How about you?  With a sold-out crowd of 380 attendees there was no shortage of school spirit at the EC Athletic Awards Beefsteak on Wednesday, May 29 at The Brownstone. The EC Athletic Booster Club (ABC) brought back the fan-favorite Beefsteak dinner to honor the 2023-24…

Currently hanging up outside our high school auditorium is a mural titled “EC Reflections.” The 3X5 cards surrounding it were handed out to high school students during a recent chapel. In the final minutes of this particular chapel, students were prompted to respond to one of these prompts: What person has discipled you this school…

Birdies, bogeys, and pars, oh my! Friendly competition and strong community were on full display at Wild Turkey Golf Club in Hamburg on Monday, May 20 for the annual EC Spring Golf Outing. A sold-out event featured 132 golfers enjoying a beautiful, sunny day out on the course, and together with 50 sponsors, raised more…

Throughout the decades, EC teachers have worked tirelessly to educate and nurture thousands of students, preparing them to be people of faith, vision and influence for God's glory. This Teacher Appreciation Week, we say a special thank you to all of them. In a recent letter, the foundation asked some of our alumni and parents…

On Friday, April 12, Eastern Christian School hosted its largest ever Auction Gala at the Westmount Country Club. Thanks to the generous contributions and active participation of our entire EC community, the evening was a resounding success, exceeding expectations in every way. Previous Auction Gala records were broken by the end of the night after…

Eastern Christian’s Herald is a great look at the past 6 months at EC. It includes news from all three school campuses, foundation news, alumni news, upcoming events and more! The Herald is a fantastic way for alumni and members of the current school community to learn more about what’s going on at EC. Check…

In August 2023, the EC Athletic Department successfully re-launched the Athletic Booster Club (ABC). Its purpose is to directly support and bolster all athletic programs at Eastern Christian School as we honor and glorify God in and around sports competition; strengthen the school’s commitment to student-athletes and team; and forge stronger partnerships with our community…

It feels a bit cliche to speak about the horrible, negative years of middle school. Every adult can likely draw up memories that bring a shudder, a groan, or a quick change of subject. Of course there are the others that also bring a chuckle, but those are often at someone else’s expense. As parents,…