Insights & Information

Transformed: Class of 2017 begins high school at Academy

TBCA_hsclass_300x215From new bulletin boards and wall decorations to the new burgundy and tan walls in her office and construction equipment chugging away outside, Director of Education Donna Mannon has plenty of reminders that things are changing at Triad Baptist Christian Academy.

But the biggest and most anticipated change is the Academy’s move into high school. Come 2017, the ninth-graders who began class earlier this week will represent the Class of 2017 and the first graduates of Triad’s preschool and K-12 education program.

“For me, the most exciting thing is to see the parents and the faculty and students so excited,” Mannon said. “Everything is coming together.”

The Academy’s theme for the year is “Transformed,” which appears on new TBCA T-shirts, website, social media and signage, and more.

Creative Communications Director Jeremy Chandler said the Transformed theme and the supporting verses (2 Corinthians 5:17 and Ephesians 4:22-24) fit the year well.

The underlying message also echoes the Academy’s mission: providing excellence in academics, fine arts and athletics and instilling Biblical principles so students impact their worlds for Christ.

“We’re transformed spiritually through Christ,” Chandler explained, “the campus is being transformed physically through construction of the new Worship Center/Gym, and the high school students are being transformed from adolescents to more mature young adults.”

The 10 members in the Academy’s first freshman class got a surprise at the end of their first week—an unexpected bus ride to the Blowing Rock Assembly Grounds and Duck Dynasty-style camo T-shirts with the slogan, “Need 2 Lead,” for a day-long spiritual retreat.

Interns Nick Decker and Austin Needham planned the first-ever Need 2 Lead Experience for the freshmen which also featured Chandler, Jared and Kimberly Hoots from the Radiate High School Ministry and TBCA faculty Bret Yates and Jessica Rock, the new Bible and PE teacher.

“Our desire is to see the ninth-grade class rise up and lead the school,” Decker said. “Since they are the oldest and the only class in high school at TBCA, we thought it would be great to start with them. I believe the school is planning on doing this every year with the ninth grade to encourage them as they grow into the leaders of the school.”

Along with Rock, kindergarten teacher Gina McGraw, upper level science teacher Jennifer Locklear and music teacher Holly Wilcox also joined the faculty.

Other additions

The 2013-2014 brings a host of other changes. They include:

  • A new hot lunch plan from the Greensboro Golden Corral featuring an entrée, two sides and drink.
  • A new teacher workroom in the loft that teachers can use during planning time
  • A new girls volleyball coach and assistant (Daniel Brown and Olivia Hoover)
  • A new cross-country team led by Athletic Director Ronnie Kruger
  • The first in-service meeting with faculty as part of the progress of achieving accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International
  • A new drama club
  • The first hardcover yearbook
  • Class officers for the high school
  • A Winter Homecoming Court (during basketball season)

2014 and beyond

Along with continued work toward accreditation, Mannon said she hopes to add a foreign language course in 2014 and dual enrollment program with a college. PSAT testing also is on tap for the sophomores to begin to prepare them for the SAT and other standardized testing to help students get ready for college and before they begin applying for scholarships their junior year.

“We are well ahead of where we projected in registration—four of the members of the freshman class are new—and I think a lot of that has to do with the quality of our faculty, the growth of our sports program, and all the articles and promotions of the Academy in the community.

“They know we’re starting the high school, and once you start a high school things start to come together.”

Phase 2 Shot of TBC B&W 17

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