While most sectarian schools promote only one religion, the Peace and Justice Academy Interfaith High School has not only been accepting students of different beliefs but also educates them regarding the various faith traditions.
The Interfaith High School will hold an open house on Sunday, March 30, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. Attendees are asked to arrive at 3:00 p.m. to get to know the school’s board members, staff, and the families of students currently enrolled in the academy. Hors d’oeuvres or appetizers will be served.
The campus tour will be held about 3:30 p.m., to be followed by question and answer portion at 4:00 p.m., and an information session at 4:30 p.m.
The Peace and Justice Academy is the nation’s first interfaith high school. Its Interfaith Curriculum Committee is composed of Jewish, Christian and Muslim educators who have designed the scope and sequence for the high school’s program.
In as much as the school freely teaches different religion, it also does not impose to students to learn all of those beliefs. Those who have a strong personal faith background may continue learning about the history, tenets, sacred texts and practices of their faith.
Students who do not have a particular faith background, meanwhile, are free to study with any faith tradition track they wish. Many classes at Interfaith High School are being thought by clergy, scholars and other experts in that particular religion.
Academy’s co-executive director Randy Christopher said that despite the differences in the teachings in various religions, all of them have some things in common.
“All great religions share so many core values: love, empathy, compassion, mercy, service, hospitality, community, honesty, and of course, peace and justice,” Christopher said. “Our hope is to emphasize to our students how much we are alike and how we are all worthy of respect.”
The Interfaith High School also promotes respect to all members of the school community, such as students, parents, faculty members, staff members, administrators, and board members, regardless of their political views, party affiliations, gender and sexual orientation.
The Peace and Justice Academy is located at 2033 E. Washington Blvd. For more information, call (626) 345-0504, email [email protected] or visit http://www.thepeaceacademy.org.
