A news story was posted recently on a popular online search engine about a school in Los Angeles that will open next month. The school will be situated on the former site of the Ambassador Hotel, the site of Robert Kennedy's assassination. Appropriately enough, the school will be named the Robert F. Kennedy Community Schools. All very straight forward, right? That's true—until you hear the price tag of $578 million. That's right, I said million.

Now, obviously, L.A.'s Unified School District is one of the largest in the country, approximately 722, 000 students. However, this K-12 complex, according to the article, is to house 4,200 students, which is quite a small percentage of the students in this area. This expensive construction comes at a tough time, during a recession and the layoffs of many teachers. Plus, this has all been paid for by taxpayer money.

It makes one wonder who schools are really for. Perhaps an even better question is, "Does school cost equal school value?" In districts with a 50% dropout rate, spending money on elaborate facilities seems to send the message that if students have a better place to learn, they would do better. Does the environment truly change the way students learn? Certainly, it must to a degree, but how many millions does it take to make a student get an A?

Does cost equal value? In today's superficial society, worth is equated, probably incorrectly, as cost or money. If pricey facilities were the answer to educational success, wouldn't we have upgraded all schools to a Hyatt Hotel status years ago, or wouldn't we at least have measured and researched better equipped facilities against limitedly equipped schools? Logic would dictate that those with more resources do better. How much better? Is it worth the cost?

Changes on the outside can affect changes within. Makeovers, relocations, and redesigns definitely can impact mood, behavior, and interaction, but only to a degree. At some point in time, true change has to come from within. Only from the inside out can true transformation be found, as the Bible teaches. "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God" (Romans 12:2).

Beautiful surroundings may be nice, but they are just that. If you have a school blessed with outstanding facilities or a small school meeting in church classrooms, know that you matter no matter what your surroundings are. Why? Because saving souls for Christ starts from inside.

Are you jealous of schools that seem to have it all? Remember that God's changes are more powerful than anything of this world.