Christian principles: Dayspring is a non-denominational Christian organization. We value the teaching and promotion of Christian principles important to character and moral development and we believe that understanding and living by such principles gives meaning and purpose to all educational and personal endeavors.

Relevance of academic knowledge to everyday life: We value academic achievement as it relates to life success. Therefore, Dayspring’s programs help children to link subject matter from academic disciplines to their everyday lives and to view academic achievement as one of many life skills to be mastered.

Loving, caring adult-child relationships: We value the power of loving, caring adult-child relationships (in the home, school, and community) to support children’s healthy social and emotional development and to positively influence children’s learning outcomes in educational settings.

Culture and cultural history: We value the strengths (knowledge, ways of thinking, etc.) that children bring with them to the learning setting and believe that many of these strengths are grounded in the child’s culture. Therefore, we believe that the child’s culture and cultural history should be incorporated into the learning setting and used as a bridge to new learning.

Well-designed research studies: We value the findings of well-designed research studies as a means of obtaining useful information and insights that can help address problems related to children’s low academic achievement and underachievement.