Engage Worldview Academy
Updated: 6 days ago
Registration is now open!
Click here to register.
Click here to make a payment or scholarship donation.
Late registration for students is accepted
(same tuition amount for Full or Jr. Academy)
First class starts on Thursday, August 10th.
Table of Contents:
Basic Overview of the Academy:
What are some of the skills students will develop in the Academy?
What other topics will be covered in the Academy in the future?
Academy Schedule & Reading List:
Academy Schedule:
Frequently Asked Questions:
Semester Assessments (for those that want the Engage Certificate)
First assessment of the first semester. Click here or on the attachment below to download:
Second assessment (coming soon)
First Assessment for the Engage Worldview Academy update
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Download DOCX • 24KB
A Basic case for the Academy as a complement to your main education curriculum: Click here to read my new article on this topic.
What is the Engage Worldview Academy?
The Engage Worldview Academy is an opportunity for students to grow in their understanding of a Biblical worldview, defend the faith in the public square, share the gospel and grow in relationships with the Lord and each other.
Who is the Academy for?
Middle School, High school and College Students.
Gap Year? Some students may decide to be a part of the Academy as a Gap Year before going to college.
What will the students do every week?
Classroom time and/or Engage Your World:
Classroom time: Students will read at home and come prepared for a discussion and/or teaching time on various topics in worldview, theology, philosophy, cultural issues, and learn how to respectful debate these ideas like Jesus and Paul. We will watch a short dvd series on some weeks (i.e. ICR videos or The Genesis Academy)
Engage your World: Every other week students will go Engage the world via field trips, or a Dino soft tissue lab after morning class time. Some of these options may be...
Worldview Surveys around the city
Engaging with people from other religions (Muslims, Buddhists, Hindus, new agers, etc.)
Creation guided hikes
Worldview analysis of a natural history museum
Worldview Analysis of Art Museums
Star gazing
Dinosaur Bone labs
Attend or watch a Christian debate an unbeliever and analyze it
Speak at City Council against abortion
Are there big assignments and events every semester?
Semester assignments:
Weekly reading assignments- Click here or below to download the guide for the Academy
Monthly review quiz (optional but needed for those that want the Engage certificate)
Two debates a semester on worldview issues
2 Apologetics presentations (one assigned topic and one chosen)
1 personal paper interacting with the claim of an unbeliever (students choice)
Worldview Academy guide fall 2023
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Download DOCX • 20KB
Semester Events:
It's Your World (Sept. 22-23)
Engage Your City- Evangelism training day (TBD)
Preview day for public school students (TBD- evening or Sat)
Creation conference (Nov 11th with Dr. Lisle)
Grand Canyon Trip (Rim trip Spring Break, March 12-16th, 2024)
What are some of the skills that a student in the Academy will develop?
Worldview analysis & Socratic Dialogue
Learn how to test ideas against scripture.
Growth in the ability to discuss popular objections to Christianity with unbelievers without compromising Biblical convictions yet engaging with gentleness and respect
Growth in evangelism opportunities
Growth in public speaking, writing, logic and presentation skills.
Growth in self-discipline for the sake of growth in personal holiness and using your time wisely to the Glory of God.
Clarifying future career path and how to confidently engage with others in any topic in whatever career path your choose.
Development of future leaders, field guides and teachers in the Academy (college students or adults)
Can students receive a Certificate at the end of the year?
Yes, if students choose to do the semester assignments, they can receive a "Year 1 Engage your World" certificate.
Students that receive a certificate are eligible to become a future leader in the Academy (field guide, help teach a class, or discussion leader). A field guide helps lead groups to do worldview discussions and is a college student or older or assists the lead guide.
Those who receive an Engage Certificate for year 1 will be up for consideration for teaching a class at our Engage Truth Summer camp in the future and becoming a creation tour guide or worldview field guide.
Homeschool students may also consider counting our logic and philosophy classes as a school credit in logic. This is not an official accredited school, but merely a ministry focused on training students in a robust Biblical Worldview that leads to students being bold defenders of the truth.
What do your teachers believe and what if the student disagrees with the teacher?
Currently Caleb Harrelson is our only Academy teacher. Our future Academy teachers will all need to be in agreement with the Engage Statement of faith. Students are welcome to attend the Academy that do not agree with our teachers to learn from them; however, all teachers will be teaching from a protestant position as if we really believe that it is the correct and Biblical position. Please read our statement of faith before signing up. Diversity of viewpoints among the students, as expressed in discussion, is allowed, but respect (even when there is sharp disagreement) is expected.
What other topics will be covered in the Academy in the future?
After we finish the first year of the Academy, we will first prayerfully evaluate everything. Lord willing, we would like to add more teachers and special topics tracks in the academy. For example, we plan to add a special track for muslim evangelism, abolishing abortion track, cult evangelism, creation science research track and much more. Stay tuned! Year 1 will lay the foundation for the rest of the years in the Academy!
Fall full reading List (Year 1, semester 1, 2023)
Apologetics Study Bible (Theology & Church History)
Everyone’s a theologian (theology & Church history class)
40 questions on interpreting the Bible (theology & Church history class)
The Story of Reality (Basic Apologetics/ Reliability of scripture)
Testimonies to the Truth (Basic Apologetics/ Reliability of scripture)
Creation Basics and Beyond (Creation/Genesis Defense)
Finding Truth (Worldview Apologetics)
The Popular Handbook on World Religions (Worldview Apologetics)
Saving Leonardo (Worldview Apologetics)
Unraveling Philosophy (Philosophy)
Tour Guide to Debate (Debate/Logic)
How to think (Dr. Juan Valdes) (Debate/Logic)
Tactics (Debate/Logic)
Spring Semester Full reading List (Year 1, semester 2, 2024)
Apologetics Study Bible (Theology & Church History)
Letter to Diognetus (theology & Church history class)
Confessions by Augustine (theology & Church history class)
Church History by Simonetta Carr (theology & Church history class)
Scribes and Scriptures (Basic Apologetics/ Reliability of scripture)
Mere Christianity (Basic Apologetics/ Reliability of scripture)
The Book that made your World (Basic Apologetics/ Reliability of scripture)
Coming to Grip with Genesis (Creation/Genesis Defense)
A practical guide to Culture (Worldview Apologetics)
Love thy Body (Worldview Apologetics)
The consequences of Ideas (Philosophy)
How do we know? (Philosophy)
Tour Guide to Debate (Debate/Logic)
How do we reason? (Debate/Logic)
Basic Academy Schedule (Thursdays. Westside Location- Coronado Baptist 520 building)
8am- Worship time, then Theology & Church history class
9am- Basic Apologetics/ Reliability of scripture
10am- Creation
11- Worldview Apologetics
12- Lunch
1- Philosophy
2- Debate
3:30- Day ends. Clean up
Fall Academy Schedule
August
August 10- Week 1- Introduction to various topics & discussion on week 1 from assigned reading.
*Watching Genesis Impact at 10am.
Aug 17th- Week 2- "Engage Week"- class time in the morning & Cultural engagement week in the afternoon at UTEP.
Aug 24th- Break
Aug 31st- week 3
September
Sept 7th- week 4- "Engage Week" with Muslims or worldview surveys at UTEP
Zoom with a creation scientists in the am.
Sept 14th- Break
Sept 21- week 5---Creation Hike this week.
Sept 28th- week 6- "Engage Week" (first debate)
October
Oct 5th- Break
Oct 12- week 7
Zooming with a creation scientist this week.
Oct 19- week 8- "Engage Week" at the Art Museum & creation hike in the morning.
Oct 26- Break
November
Nov 2nd- week 9
Nov 9th- week 10- "Engage Week" (Dinosaur Soft tissue lab)
Nov 16th- Break
Nov 23rd- Break
Nov 30th- week 11
December
Dec 7th- week 12 "Engage Week" & final fall week (second debate) & creation hike in the am.
Spring 2024 Schedule
January
Jan 4th- week 1
Jan 11th-week 2 "Engage Week"
Jan 18th- Break
Jan 25th- week 3
February
Feb 1st- week 4 "Engage Week"
Feb 8th- Break
Feb 15th- week 5
Feb 22nd- Week 6- "Engage Week" (first debate)
Feb 29th- Week 7
March
March 7th- Week 8
March 14th- Break (spring break) - Grand Canyon trip with Canyon Ministries
March 21st- Week 9
March 28th- week 10- "Engage Week"
April
April 4th- Break
April 11- week 11
April 18th- week 12- "Engage Week" (final week, debate & presentations)
Frequently Asked Questions:
"Is it a drop-off program?"
You are welcome to drop your student off, but we would also like to request that you attend a half or full day at least 4 times every semester with your student(s).
"When will I receive my weekly guide that tells me what to read before each week and other assignments?"
For week 1- just read the first chapter of each of the books. We will get you the full fall semester guide by the end of July.
"What if my student can't keep up with the weekly reading?"
The student can just show up and take notes. They can CHOOSE their level of engagement. Also, they can consider being a "Jr. Academy" student and just attend the 10-12pm classes and Engage day activities. See "junior Academy" rates below.
What is the per semester Tuition Cost for the Academy?
(This does not include the cost of semester books)
Basic notes:
$50 deposit to secure your spot (30 student max)
Yes, we offer payment plans.
Various Academy levels:
Full Academy student: $275 a semester + cost of books
Open to 8th grade-college level students.
Welcome to attend all semester classes and events.
Jr Academy: $150 a semester + cost of books per classes they choose to attend- 10am-12pm classes and Engage Day afternoon events (creation hikes, dino soft tissue labs, worldview surveys and more).
Open to 7th grade and up.
See schedule above to see which classes fit this timeframe and what books the students would need to buy.
Public school student plan: $75 a semester.
According to the El Paso public school calendar, there are a few days (about 3-4) that students will not have school or will get out early. Thus, we would love to have public school students join us for a part time or full day when they don't have school. Students and parents will want be in conversation with the lead instructor, Caleb, about how to modify the reading plan for attendance on those days.
Public school times they can participate in the Academy:
Sept 14- middle school students can attend in the afternoon. (early release)
Oct 5th- I can do a special week for Public school students this week if there is a need for it (this is normally our Academy break).
Oct 12th- public school students can attend this week
Jan 4th- public school students can attend this week (no school on their calendar)
Feb 8th- early release from middle schools. Students could attend in the afternoon.
March 7th- Public school students have no school this week (spring break)
March 14th- spring break- students can attend our Grand Canyon trip
Are we able to observe an Engage Academy community day before signing up for class?
Yes, upon special request, you are able to observe and attend one day for free before making a semester commitment. However, note that deciding in the middle of the semester instead of beforehand may lead you to be behind in some of the reading. Either way, we are glad you are considering the Academy!
Will there be scholarships available?
We will try to help find sponsorships to assist each student as needed. We also encourage students to work to earn their money for the Academy or raise funds like a local missionary would. We are training the next generation to reach our lost country and you should consider fundraising like a missionary for this training.
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