New? Start Here!

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. This at-a-glance page is designed to help you start well and to answer some of the questions you may not know to ask. Please do let us know anytime you have a question.

Enrollment Checklist

Our school e-newsletter, The Lion’s Roar, is a key way we communicate. It is sent through Mail Chimp; please add Mail Chimp to your safe senders list.

Ready

Set up your FACTS Family Portal account (right away; why, how, and app options)
Pay commitment fee in FACTS Family Portal (right away)
Purchase school uniforms (recommendation: early July)
Set up payment plan* in FACTS Family Portal (early July)
Complete online check-in,* includes reading current year’s Parent/Student handbook (mid/late July)
Pay first bill in FACTS Family Portal (produced in mid-July, due August 5)
Review/update contact information in FACTS Family Portal (early August and anytime it changes)
Review/download school calendar (anytime; at-a-glance PDF calendar and Google Calendars for school activities and athletics)

Set

Receive your child’s teacher/class information* (approx. August 6)
Attend New Family Connect* (early August)
Attend Back-to-School Night* (Th/F 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* through through the year)

Go!

Review carline map (PDF) (by the first day of school)
Submit completed 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 7:15–8 a.m. 7:15–8 a.m. 7:15–8 a.m. 7:15–8 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.
Car Line 2:45–3 p.m. 2:45–3:15 p.m. 3:10–3:30 p.m. N/A
After Care 3–5:30 p.m. 3:15–5:30 p.m. 3:10–5:30 p.m. N/A

Programs & Clubs to Consider

Grades 1–5

  • 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
  • Sports
    • Junior League boys basketball (grade 5; November): tryouts
    • Junior League girls basketball (grade 5; November): tryouts

Grades 6–8

  • 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
  • Sports
    • 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

Grades 9–12

  • 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
  • Sports
    • Boys soccer, basketball, cross country, shooting, volleyball, golf, baseball: tryouts
    • Girls volleyball, cross country, shooting, basketball, golf, soccer, cheer: tryouts
  • Vo-Tech: elective class

Summer Camps (Rising K4–grade 12)

Summer School (Rising grade 9–grade 12)