Bethlehem Christian Academy Achieves Both SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools, Int) Accreditation

Bethlehem Christian Academy (BCA) achieved a joint accreditation from both SACS (Southern Association of Colleges and Schools) and ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International) in June 2011. This is a huge accomplishment and a milestone for BCA. The accreditation establishes BCA as an educational institution which meets the standards necessary for quality education in an authentic Christian setting.

Achieving joint accreditation was a goal set by the BCA Board of Directors years ago in order to verify to the community, the students and families, and colleges who would be looking at its graduates for admission into their programs, that BCA was a program of excellence. BCA chose to do both accreditations so that members of the Christian community and also those in the public sector would recognize the accreditation from both of these top associations.  It is important for BCA to have both accreditations for its students because some will continue their educational journey in Christian colleges while some will choose public university systems such as the University of Georgia and beyond.

Accreditation is sought by schools in order to validate their quality and to verify that they are striving for excellence. Accreditation is an ongoing process of school-wide improvement and development through which a school strives for educational and in BCA’s case, spiritual excellence. It is a process of recognizing and assessing a school’s entire program against accepted standards of performance, integrity, and quality.

Bethlehem Christian Academy serves over 400 students in preschool through high school.  BCA is beginning its twelfth year of serving the families in this community. Students attending BCA enjoy the benefit of a loving, family atmosphere and smaller class sizes. Bethlehem Christian Academy believes that the school experience should include academic challenge, true friendships, a strong Christian foundation and activities that prepare a student to be a leader in his/her family, community or career. The strong Christian foundation forms a basis for everything that is taught at BCA.

Students at BCA enjoy a wealth of opportunities. The school provides clubs, community service outings, social and family events, sports of all kinds, fine arts performances, band, chorus, art classes and opportunities for leadership development. From the moment the student walks into the door, they are greeted by a smile and a staff member who is happy to see them.  The school is a warm and loving place for students to experience the fullness of an educational journey designed to truly prepare them for the future while meeting daily needs. High school students at BCA are able to choose any course they may need for their career choice even if he/she is the only student who needs that particular course.  A full college preparatory class schedule is offered in traditional classes while more specialized classes are available online and are incorporated into the student’s daily schedule.  This enables BCA to offer a wealth of academic classes and ensures that the school can meet the needs of its students in both a traditional classroom setting as well as through the technology of online learning.  High school students at BCA will graduate with a fully accredited college preparatory diploma and will have the opportunity to take honors and AP courses to meet their needs.  Students who need support benefit from small class sizes and teachers who can give them the attention they need to be truly successful in learning.

BCA has plans to continue to develop a strong program of excellence. This coming school year there are plans for the further development of the high school science department, the incorporation of project-based learning opportunities and class trips to enhance the students’ learning beyond the classroom walls. BCA will continue to develop students who portray leadership qualities by implementing a new Student Leadership Team for Student Ambassadors.

As the accreditation team made its final report to Rhonda Whiting, the Head of School, one member of the team said, “What I have found here is very rare!”  Bethlehem Christian Academy will continue to maintain its strong family atmosphere, its quality program and will continue to seek the best for its students.  The school maintains a strategic plan for improvement and sets continuous goals to achieve growth and development in the future.  Great things are ahead for the school and for the community served by BCA!

BCA is focused on
… Guiding Hearts
… Inspiring Minds
… Shaping Lives.

Bethlehem Christian Academy’s vision it to produce students who are fully devoted followers of God that are thoroughly prepared to fulfill the will of God in their lives… who will powerfully demonstrate their Biblical worldview through character, wisdom, leadership, service, and achievement.

The Academy is committed to educational excellence and spiritual truth.

BCA confirms its commitment to its educational programs and courses of instructions to be conducted consistently with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God.

BCA recognizes that the successful realization of its objectives is dependent upon the shared effortsof BCA personnel, families, and the church.

Our educational program is designed to accomplish the following general goals:
• To encourage student to know God in order to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
• To enable students to identify God-given abilities and equip them to use those gifts.
• To enable students to engage in rigorous academic inquiry.
• To expect students to achieve high levels of academic excellence.
• To equip students to become leaders who transform culture for God’s glory.

Bethlehem Christian Academy educational programs or courses of instruction shall be conducted consistent with the teaching of the inerrant Word of God. Any assertion or belief which conflicts with or questions a Bible truth is a pagan deception and distortion of the truth which will be disclaimed as false. It is the responsibility of every instructor or teacher to present the inerrant Word of God as the sole infallible source of knowledge and wisdom.

Bethlehem Christian Academy has an evangelical view of Christian education. The school will partner with the family and church in bringing the student to faith in Christ.

Bethlehem Christian Academy believes parents have the primary responsibility for the nurture, maturation and development of their children.