To graduate students who can think clearly, discern wisely, and articulate winsomely classical, Christian schools must have high standards. This means that there will be a striving for excellence in all that we do. With this, we need to be very careful to pay attention to the temptations that come along with this kind of atmosphere. One such temptation that our students may face is setting up idols of perfectionism and putting their worth in their achievements. As parents, it is our job to protect our students from this sin while teaching them to take every thought captive for Christ.

First, we are to teach our children to find their identity in Christ alone.

We teach them that they are all made in the image of Christ and in Him they find out who they are and why they matter. He has equipped them to do His good work. Through this good work, they will bring honor and glory to Him.

Second, we have a responsibility to teach our students that the difference between striving for excellence and becoming a perfectionist begins with what is going on in their hearts.

When they strive for excellence they are working hard to bring honor and glory to God. Therefore, they should be content with the outcome of their work. When they are being perfectionistic they are often seeking honor for themselves. This leads them to be unhappy if they do not perform as desired. We can help our students manage their anxiety by teaching them to do their best work and leaving the outcome to God.

Third, we teach our children to accept their God-given strengths and weaknesses.

It is important to point out that God has created them with many different gifts and abilities and that He does not make mistakes. Therefore, they may not begrudge the gifts He has bestowed on them or covet the gifts He has given to others. We can start by teaching our children not to compare themselves to each other, but rather expecting their best work, and then accepting the outcome of their work. This means teaching them to be thankful and realize that some students will get A’s and others will get C’s while putting in the same amount of effort.

Finally, we need to make sure we are teaching our children these thoughts and ideas before they are in the throes of temptation.

Ideally, we will start having these conversations when our children are in the Grammar stage when it is easier to capture their hearts and train their affections.

By teaching these lessons to our children, we can help them avoid perfectionism, idolatry, anxiety, and self-inflicted pressure that can sometimes be confused with high standards and striving for excellence. Our goal in classical, Christian education is to teach our students who they are, who they belong to, and ultimately to bring honor and glory to Christ throughout their lives.

"For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ" - 2  Corinthians 10:3-5