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A few weeks ago, representatives of about forty schools and mission agencies gathered for the International Christian School Recruiting Fair. Until a few years ago, these fairs were called “MK School Recruiting Fairs.” Teachers, administrators and others meet for regional education conferences that are now termed “International Christian Educator Conferences.” The Latin American conference used to be called “Missionary Kids of the Americas,” and the Europe/Africa gathering was known as “Missionary Kids in Europe and Africa.”

What happened to “MK” in our schools? Are there still MK schools around the world? The short answer is yes. Schools that view the education of missionaries’ children as their primary mission still exist. David Wilcox, the Association of Christian Schools International’s (ACSI) director of international school services for Latin American and Asia, notes that there are more MKs in our schools than ever before. However, many schools now call themselves “international Christian schools.” Why have “MK schools” changed to this identifier?

One reason for the change is security. Schools that are located in or serve students from creative access countries do not want to identify their students as children of missionaries. These schools can be known as international Christian schools, but mailings for an MK school recruiting fair or a conference on MK education could be problematic.

Another reason, perhaps even more significant, is that the schools have broadened their mission. While many international Christian schools still view MKs as a primary focus (about one third of the 135 schools in the ACSI’s Overseas School Profiles specifically identify serving the children of missionaries in their mission statement), they also want to reach the broader expatriate community. These schools have always considered salvation and discipleship as primary goals. By expanding their mission, these Christian schools are able to disciple even more students.

Historically, even schools that identified themselves as “MK schools” accepted a limited percentage of students from non-missionary families. Some schools still have enrollment policies specifying the maximum number of non-missionary students. Others, like the International Christian Academy of Caracas (Venezuela), have chosen to specify a maximum number of students from non-Christian families, but do not distinguish among MK or non-MK students from believing families in their enrollment quotas.

Some schools that have historically been “MK” schools have found that by expanding their mission, they are able to provide a better education for the missionary kids. In some cities, enrollment in a “MK” only or majority MK school is limited simply because of the number of missionaries. Accepting students from believing (and possibly unbelieving) business, embassy or other families broadens the school’s student and financial base. While people normally think that small classes are good (and there are advantages), classes that are too small present challenges too. How would you feel if you were the only girl in a class of seven boys?

Even for classes that have more gender balance, if there are only eight third graders, choosing friends isn’t much of a choice. One MK who is now a freshman in college told his mother that for the first time in his life, he is able to choose his friends based on common interests and personality. Until now, he has been friends with whoever was in his class or mission group, regardless of personal compatibility.

Another factor in moving away from the “MK school” identifier is that when schools are known as “MK schools,” students from non-missionary families may feel like second-class citizens. This is especially ironic since they typically pay significantly more for the school’s services.

International Christian schools still educate missionary kids, but the new nomenclature better describes the realities in global Christian education today. It also defines the school by what it does (international Christian education) rather than by whom it serves. There are similar examples in the business world. Commonwealth Edison is no longer an “electric company;” it’s a power company. They are in the business of providing power, not just electricity. Xerox does documents, not just copies. International Christian schools provide a Christ-centered education in the international context for a variety of students, not just missionaries. We still have schools that educate missionaries’ children and they’re an important part of the total missions team. But instead of being “electric companies,” they are now power companies.

Karen Wrobbel oversees MK education for TEAM in Wheaton, Illinois.