Get Started Checklist

Welcome to BJA! We’re so glad you’re here. During your first year at a new school a parent has a lot to learn, too. Here’s an at-a-glance page to help identify key decisions and dates as we prepare for the school year.

Ready

Set up FACTS Family Portal account (right away)
Pay commitment fee (right away for new students; in March for current students)
Purchase school uniforms (recommendation: by early July)
Review payment plan* (early July)
Review current year’s parent/student handbook and complete online check-in* (mid/late July)
Pay first bill (produced mid-July, due August 5) [ESTF Info]
Review/update contact information (early August and anytime it changes)
Review school calendars: an at-a-glance calendar as well as detailed calendars; consider adding to your own Google calendar (anytime)
Purchase school supplies

Prepay for hot lunches (by the first day of school or as needed)
Register vehicle/s that your student driver will park on campus (by the first day of school or as needed)
Begin to receive our school e-newsletter, The Lion’s Roar, which is a key way we communicate. We send these weekly in mid-July through graduation and occasionally during the summer. We also post them in the Lion’s Roar Archives should you wish to look for an old Lion’s Roar.

Set

Receive your child’s teacher/class information [via email if online check-in is complete & school bill paid]* (on/after August 7)
Attend New Family Connect* (early August)
Attend Back-to-School Night* (shortly before school begins)
Purchase Lion’s Gear, including spirit tee shirts which can be worn instead of a uniform top each Friday (Youth sizes at the Primary Center and Elementary offices; larger youth and adult sizes at the Academy Gym lobby)

Go!

Review carline map(PDF) (by the first day of school)
Submit needed forms* (by the first day of school)

Attend classroom meeting* (K3–grade 5; second week of school)
Volunteer*

  • K3–Grade 5: help with in-class activities and/or field trips (August; watch for parent VIP forms from your child’s teacher)
  • Grades 6-12: help with a variety of school activities and events (August; “Parent Service Team”)

Attend Donuts with Dr. A* (through the year: informal opportunity to meet with our Head of School)
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram (anytime)
Attend parent-teacher conferences*

  • K3–Grade 5: Expected for all parents (October)
  • All grades: As desired, request to meet with your student’s teacher or principal (anytime)

*Watch for details in our school e-newsletter, The Lion’s Roar.

School Day Schedules

(Please rotate your device if needed.)

 

K3–K5

Grades 1–5

Grades 6–8

Grades 9–12
Drop-Off After 7:15 a.m. After 7:15 a.m. After 7:15 a.m. After 7:15 a.m.
Start 8 a.m. 8 a.m. 8 a.m. 8 a.m.
Half-Day Dismissal 11:45 a.m. N/A N/A N/A
Lunch 11:45–12:50 in
30-min periods		 11:25–12:40
in 25-min periods		 11:45–12:30 including recess 11:45–12:30
Dismissal 2:45 p.m. 2:45 p.m. 3:10 p.m. 3:10 p.m.
After Care Until 5:30 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m. Until 5:30 p.m. N/A

Programs & Clubs to Consider

Grades 1–5

  • Athletics
    • Intramural soccer (grades 4–5; September): meets after school
    • Intramural basketball (grades 4–5; March): Meets after school
  • Fine Arts
    • Choir (grades 4–5; August): meets after school
    • Band (grades 4–5; August): includes group instrument classes
    • Orchestra (grades 4–5; August): includes group instrument classes
    • Music lessons (grades 1–5; anytime): piano, band/orchestral instruments
  • Leadership
    • Christian Service Organization (grade 5): by application
    • The Daily Paws (grade 5): by application

Grades 6–8

  • Athletics (practice or games M/T/Th/F)
    • Fall: G Volleyball, B/G Cross Country, B Soccer (Aug tryouts)
    • Winter: B/G Basketball (Nov tryouts), G Cheerleading (T/Th practice or games; Apr tryouts)
    • Spring: G Soccer (Feb tryouts)
  • Fine Arts
    • Choir: elective class
    • Band: elective class
    • Orchestra: elective class
    • Handbells: elective class
    • Music lessons (anytime): piano, band/orchestral instruments
    • Drama (Dec/Jan auditions): spring play
    • Mock Trial/Competitive Speech (grades 7–8): elective class
  • Leadership
    • Crew officers: selected
  • Robotics Team: elective class and/or after school

Grades 9–12

  • Athletics (practice or games M/T/Th/F)
    • Fall: B/G Volleyball, B/G Cross Country, B Soccer (Aug tryouts)
    • Winter: B/G Basketball (Nov tryouts), G Cheerleading (T/Th practice or games; Apr tryouts)
    • Spring: G Soccer, B/G Golf, B Baseball (Feb tryouts)
  • Fine Arts
    • Choir: elective class
    • Band: elective class
    • Orchestra: elective class
    • Handbells: elective class
    • Music lessons (anytime): piano, voice, band/orchestral instruments
    • Drama (seniors): elective class
    • Mock Trial (November tryouts): T/Th after school
    • Speech & Debate (August tryouts): Tues after school
  • Journalism
    • The Academian (BJA yearbook; by application in the spring): elective class
    • The Triangle (print/digital high school news; by application in the spring): after school
  •  Leadership
    • Class Officers (April election): Wed after school
    • Student Body Officers (April election): elective class
    • Growth Group leaders (April selection): by invitation
    • Service Squad (April selection): by invitation
  • Robotics Team: after school
  • Vo-Tech: elective classes

Summer Camps (Rising K4–12th grade)

Summer School (Rising 9th–12th grade)