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)
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)
Purchase K3-grade 5 school supplies or grades 6-8 school supplies (by the first day of school; high school students receive information in class on the first day of school)
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 (pop-up opportunities*)

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
    • 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
  • Leadership
    • Christian Service Organization (grade 5): by invitation
    • The Daily Paws (grade 5): by application

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
  • 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 9th–12th grade)