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.
Enrollment Checklist
Beginning in July, watch for our school e-newsletter, The Lion’s Roar, which is a key way we communicate.
Links to recent e-newsletters are available at My BJA/Documents & Links.
Ready
Set up FACTS Family Portal account (right away)
Pay commitment fee (right away)
Purchase school uniforms (recommendation: by early July)
Set up payment plan* (early July)
Complete online check-in,* includes reading current year’s Parent/Student handbook (mid/late July)
Pay first bill (produced mid-July, due August 5)
Review/update contact information (early August and anytime it changes)
Review/download school calendars, including at-a-glance and detailed calendars (anytime)
Set
Receive your child’s teacher/class information* (approx. August 12)
Attend New Family Connect* (early August)
Attend Back-to-School Night* (shortly before school begins)
Prepay for hot lunches (by the first day of school or as needed)
Purchase school supplies (by the first day of school for K3–grade 8; high school students receive information in class on the first day of school)
Purchase Lions Gear, including spirit tee shirts which can be worn instead of a uniform top each Friday (pop-up opportunities*)
Go!
Review carline map (PDF) (by the first day of school)
Submit needed forms* (by the first day of school)
- Medication forms (as needed)
- DSS forms (K3–K4 only)
- Athletic forms (as needed; before tryouts)
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
- Junior League boys basketball (grade 5; November): tryouts
- Junior League girls basketball (grade 5; November): tryouts
- 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
- Drama (grades 1–5; August): meets after school
- Leadership
- Christian Service Organization (grade 5): by invitation
Grades 6–8
- Athletics
- Junior League boys basketball (grade 6; November): tryouts
- Junior League girls basketball (grade 6; November): tryouts
- Middle School boys soccer, basketball, cross country (grades 6–8): tryouts
- Middle School girls volleyball, basketball, soccer, cheer (grades 6–8): 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
- Journalism
- The Growl (middle school news): in Writing elective class
- Leadership
- Crew officers: selected
- Robotics Team: elective class and/or after school
Grades 9–12
- Athletics
- Boys soccer, basketball, cross country, volleyball, golf, baseball: tryouts
- Girls volleyball, cross country, basketball, golf, soccer, cheer: tryouts
- Fine Arts
- Choir: elective class
- Band: elective class
- Orchestra: elective class
- Handbells: elective class
- Music lessons (anytime): piano, voice, band/orchestral instruments
- Drama (grades 11–12): Jr-Sr play, Senior Drama elective class
- Mock Trial (August): after school
- Speech & Debate (August): after school
- Journalism
- The Academian (BJA yearbook; by application): elective class
- The Triangle (high school news; by application): after school
- Leadership
- Class Officers (April): by election
- Student Body Officers (April): by election
- Growth Group leaders (April): by invitation
- Service Squad (April): by invitation
- Robotics Team: after school
- Vo-Tech: elective classes
Summer Camps (Rising K4–12th grade)
Summer School (Rising grades 9–12)