Berean Baptist Academy 2020-2021 Annual Review

Berean Baptist Academy 2020-2021 Annual Review

518 Glensford Drive, Fayetteville, NC 28314 (910) 868-2511 www.bbafnc.org

A Letter From our Head of School… Dr. Farmer I remember sitting in another school finishing the accreditation report to present to that school when our chairman received a phone call that COVID-19 had arrived at his school. It was Wednesday, March 11, 2020, and by that Sunday, we were holding an emergency faculty meeting to prepare for remote learning. That journey of transition has been incredible. As it does every year around the March time frame, my mind was already contemplating our spiritual theme for the 2020-2021 school year. That theme began immediately. This year, we challenged the staff to consider the elements of transformation. According to Romans 12:2, our faith is transformed and vindicated when we go through a period of testing and renewal.

The challenges of the 2020-2021 school year brought us through both elements. We were consistently tested by the continually evolving guidance provided by the CDC and local health officials. We were constantly renewing our efforts to hold in-class lessons as many days as possible. We updated protocols to keep children safe and provide the best remote and in-class learning we could give each student. Our strength waned at times, as with any test, but our resolve and faith in God did not waver. The Lord rewarded us for our efforts.

We had a record enrollment. We thank God that we only had a reported COVID infection rate of 8% of our total population, with only 2-3 cases involving school transfer among students. We won the NCCSA 2A State Championship for Boys Basketball at the Varsity and Junior Varsity levels. We were able to host an accreditation visit and receive full accreditation. We conducted 175-days of in-class learning for most grades and classes. Looking back, we see how the Lord guided us through the year, and our faith in Him was not in vain. Our faith has been renewed, and our teaching transformed. We look forward now to another fantastic year of academic learning. We remain faithful that God will guide our academy through the challenges He allows to enter our lives.

2020-2021 Student Snapshot

Education focused on Citizenship, Scholarship, & Leadership -For God’s Glory

19

Graduates

226

New Students

25

Exchange Students

$1.5 Million in Scholarships

560 Enrolled 2

State Championships

23

College Options

336

Returning Students

140

Churches

Alumni Spotlight…. Jacob Stubs, Class of 2016 I attended Berean Baptist Academy from second grade until I graduated in 2016. While attending BBA, I attended Berean Baptist Church with my family. I was heavily involved at both the church and school in student government, athletics, honors classes, and music. After graduating as the salutatorian, I began attending Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina, where I graduated in 2020 with a degree in Finance and a minor in Film Studies. I am currently pursuing a Master of Divinity degree through The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. I am also serving as the pastoral worship intern at Perkinsville Baptist Church in Boone, North Carolina.

My wife, Katie, attended BBA from fifth grade until graduating in 2017, when she began attending Appalachian State University. She was also highly involved at the church and the school in all avenues. By the time you read this, she will have finished her degree in Elementary Education. In addition to student teaching, Katie is also actively involved in ministry at Perkinsville Baptist Church.

Katie and I both began attending Perkinsville Baptist after our respective moves to Boone. We found this church through the recommendation of a former pastor and teacher of Berean. Our ties and experiences with Berean have been beyond formative to our education, career paths, and relationships with Christ. The staff and faculty of Berean perform their roles based on the cornerstone of biblical truth.

Seeing this exemplified through authority figures and learning every subject through this lens provided a crucial foundation for when the time came to leave home and begin the next chapter of our lives.

Today, we still have a strong relationship with Berean. Katie’s dad works for the church. My mom works for the school, and my sister graduated from the school in May. We still attend church services whenever we are in town, and I help out in the worship ministry whenever is needed.

Jacob & Katie Stubbs Class of 2016 & 2017

This coming July, Katie and I will be moving to Boston, Massachusetts, to be a part of a young church plant. I will be taking on a position at the church as their worship leader. Katie will be working as an elementary teacher, Lord willing. Our time at Berean was instrumental in instilling Christian values and providing an environment where we could grow in the Lord. I can say in complete confidence that our dedication to follow God’s will for us in Boston can be attributed to Berean’s ministry.

We will always be grateful for our time at BBA.

Bulldog Athletics The 2021-2022 BBA Athletic season was a season like no other. Our athletes came to school each day with the uncertainty of not knowing if practice will get cancelled, games rescheduled or cancelled completely, or if teammates will be missing for up to 2 weeks at a time. Coaches and athletes alike had to adjust to COVID regulations that ranged from limiting the number of players at a specific workout to sanitizing all equipment after a practice. The hardest part of the season came in November, when all athletes had to wear face coverings even during competition on the court or the field. Athletes had to quickly adapt to ensure that they were getting enough oxygen while at the same time performing on the floor. All these factors made it difficult for athletes and coaches to focus on the actual business of improving technical skills and winning games. However, BBA coaches and athletes put all these distractions aside and focused on our 2020-2021 school theme of "Renewed, Tested, Transformed". This was a perfect theme for athletes who were tested by COVID regulations and learned how to work through any kind of adversity. Our fall sports of boys’ soccer, girls’ volleyball, and cross country were made up of underclassmen with very few seniors on any of the teams.

Both varsity soccer and varsity volleyball got eliminated in the first round of playoffs, but they built a solid foundation for the next year, with almost all the athletes from those teams returning to play together another year. Our Middle School fall sports saw the influx of a large class of 6th graders, and this year was focused on developing their fundamental skills to get them ready for the next level.

The varsity boys’ basketball team came into this season with high expectations with six seniors on the roster. Even though COVID protocols forced adjustments mid-season, our varsity boys ended up making history by winning BBA's first ever NCCSA state basketball title, blowing out the eventual runner-up by 23 points in the championship game! Not to be outdone, our JV boys’ basketball team went 18-3 and wrapped up their first ever JV NCCSA state basketball championship a day before the varsity game. Both teams couldn't have accomplished their goals without the presence of the varsity and middle school cheer squads, who tried to make up for the lack of fans almost every night. Even though so many seniors are leaving, the MS boys team developed a strong class of 8th graders this year, and we are looking forward to many MS and JV athletes returning and filling gaps. The varsity girls team struggled with COVID quarantines and various injuries during the season, but still played their heart out in every game of the year. Our MS girls’ team had their largest roster from the past few years and are looking forward to many of their players returning next year.

The spring season again saw very few seniors on our varsity baseball and varsity girls’ soccer teams, which gave a chance for other players to step into certain positions. Varsity baseball especially saw young players playing multiple positions during a single game and gaining valuable experience for next year. For the first time ever, BBA had distinct middle school and varsity girls’ soccer teams, with over 30 total girls trying out. Both teams will be returning many of their players and will be looking to make deep playoff runs next year.

The athletic department would like to thank all the parents for their constant support during this difficult COVID year, and we are looking forward to having everyone back in the stands during the 2021-2022 season!

Fine Arts This year, 33 schools participated in the 2021 North Carolina Christian School Association (NCCSA) Fine Arts Competitions with 716 entries being submitted for the March competition.

Combined with academic testing, the NCCSA had a total of 1,960 total fine arts entries. Our students worked hard through the COVID protocols, recording sessions, and live performances to represent Berean Baptist Academy in several fine arts events. We were overly blessed to see them grow and receive numerous awards.

Division Jr. High

Category Academic Testing Drama Art

Music

High School

Art

Music

Drama

Event New Testament Acting Choric Speaking Monochromatic Monochromatic Watercolor Woodwind Solo Percussion Solo Classical Piano Solo Instrumental Ensemble Band Monochromatic Watercolor Oil Painting Mixed Media Woodwind Solo String Solo Instrumental Ensemble Band Readers’ Theatre

Name Abrahm J. Group Group Hollee H. Aariele V. Abbey H. Max S. Yire K. Payton S. Songhee C. & Doungyoon K. Group YoungWoon B. Heejung J. Eunsong K. Max L. Hyunmin R. Changmin L. Mariah H. & Hyunmin R. Group Group

The American Association of Christian Schools (AACS) national competition was held last week from April 14th to April 16th. In a typical school year, qualified performers would travel to Bob Jones University in Greenville, South Carolina to compete at this prestigious national level. Unfortunately, this year's national competition was held virtually.

In this 44th year of competition, there were a total of 10,450 performers representing 150 high schools from 28 states.

Event Woodwind Solo Instrumental Ensemble Band

Name Hyunmin R. Mariah H. & Hyunmin R. Group

Place 1st 1st 3rd

Place 3rd 3rd 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 3rd 3rd 3rd 1st 1st 3rd 3rd 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 3rd

Preschool Berean Baptist Academy’s Preschool is intentionally designed to provide our youngest academy learners a positive and friendly learning environment through a structured and engaging program that includes courses such as number recognition and sequencing, phonics, Bible story time and scripture memorization, language development, art, P.E., music, and Spanish.

Parents appreciate the opportunity to peek into their child’s daily activities through the communication and photo documentation of their teacher’s weekly newsletter, Class Dojo, progress reports, and parent-teacher conferences.

In addition, the students also enjoyed participating in the following memorable events:  Back to School Festival  Grandparent’s Day  Patriot Day  Service Project Day  Bulldog Fun Run  Spirit Week  Christmas and Spring programs  Dr. Seuss Week  Easter Egg Hunt  Fun Day Blast Our broad network of dedicated, godly staff equipped and eager to help instill a lifelong foundation for success through a well-designed, Christ-centered program for our preschool students.

Sandra Adams, Preschool Principal

is

Elementary School Although this has been a very challenging year, we have seen that God’s abundant blessings on the Academy far outweighed the challenges. The dedication of our staff and the support of our families fostered a strong Unity of Spirit within our school community this year. This unity saw an increased student enrollment throughout the year to reach a record enrollment, providing a greater opportunity to instill Kingdom Education principles through an excellent education. The academic program was expanded this year to include the integration of Moby Max to upper elementary grades and the addition of robotics to our elementary STEM program.

Teachers audited their academic courses to ensure the alignment of state standards and to maintain academic integrity during virtual teaching. Cocurricular learning in elementary increased this year through several programs.

Students were able to participate with increased fine arts opportunities in art clubs, upper school band and orchestra, and academic testing. As a result, several students placed in various competitions throughout the year. Students were also able to participate in sports programs including sports clinics and karate clubs.

Caleb Warren, Elementary Principal

Middle School & High School What a year! Berean Baptist Academy did not change classes. Who has ever heard of a year in which lockers were not used, students did not stand

in

the hallways, or have a student slide into the room last minute? No one until COVID arrived and changed everything. However, we made it through, learned to adjust, and even had classes online while we did our best to continue growing and learning about Christ, math, English, science, history, and a variety of interest-based electives. Sports continued and adjusted almost weekly. Relationships were formed across the school, and in many ways, we become stronger and closer as an Academy. The student government held COVID friendly games at lunch to keep spirits soaring and they learned how to make video announcements. As COVID tensions relaxed and our governor lifted mandates, BBA was able to hold the first prom.

Overall, it was a great year to be a Bulldog.

International Student Program BBA had 25 International Students who studied with us this year. We had one student from Germany, two students from Uganda, and 22 Korean students spread over grades 7th-12th.

Over the course of our years of connection with SEVIS, we have had the privilege of hosting over 70 total International Students from South Korea, Columbia, the Dominican Republic, Brazil, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, the Philippines, Vietnam, China, Nigeria, and Uganda. Most of these students studied with us for more than 1 year and graduated from our Academy.

Unless the student has family living in our area, we will place each International Student with a family from our school staff or with a family from our church.

We have worked with several different agencies who have placed their students with us, but most of our International Students come to us through connections with churches in Korea or families from our area who are familiar with our ministry. The companies that we have dealt with over the years are: AECC, AGM, AHLI, CEGI, CEPEC, GLOBAL HORIZONS, JSUHAK, and UNITED STUDIES. Don Adams, Admissions Director

Financial Report

Looking Forward

BBA is currently raising funds to expand our athletic options to 8-man football and girls’ softball. The expansion projects require the conversion of our athletic field and the construction of a new athletic field. The entire project has an estimated cost of $1,000,000. When completed, the field will have artificial turf, stadium lights, stadium seating, and will host our football and soccer teams. Our older field will house both baseball and softball. If you are interested in joining us in the project, please contact our Athletic Director, Daniel Knox.

Educating through COVID Despite the interruptions of COVID, BBA offered face-to-face instruction every day during the 2020-2021 school year.

It was an amazing testimony of our parents, students, and teachers who did the right thing day in and day out to make the year happen. We were able to conduct standardized testing and are pleased to announce that despite the practical loss of the fourth quarter of 2019-2020, and the consistent interruptions of technology outages, remote learning challenges, and limited on-campus instruction, our students did suffer any regression. The students continued to test with scores that showed little to no grade expectation loss on the IOWA test. Many educators and administrators were worried that the challenges would cause a loss of educational progression, but we fought hard to hold our accountable and it paid off. We are confident as we offer targeted instruction during the 2021-2022 school year, our students will continue to demonstrate academic growth. Well done, Bulldogs!