First Baptist Academy, Dallas

First Baptist Academy opened its doors on September 5, 1972, with 127 students in grades K-7. It was founded as a Biblically-integrated, college preparatory school located in downtown Dallas and was the realization of a twenty-seven-year-old dream of Dr. W. A. Criswell, then Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas. Grades were added each year until 1977 when F.B.A. graduated its first senior class. A second lower school was added in 1985 and is now located at Buckner and Samuell Blvd. in East Dallas off I-30.

Accreditation

Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Accrediting Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools.

Member of The Association of Christian Schools International

Motto

Since 1972...education of distinction with an eternal perspective.

College Enrollment

First Baptist Academy graduates have been accepted at universities from New York to California. Recent acceptances include American University of Paris (France), Barnard College, Baylor University, Belmont University, Berklee School of Music, Boston University, College of Santa Fe, Colorado State University, Fisk University, George Washington University, Grove City College, Duke University, Marquette University, Mary Baldwin College, New York University, Pennsylvania State University, Pepperdine University, Rice University, St. Louis University, Savannah College of Art and Design, Seton Hall University, Southern Methodist University, Spelman College, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Trinity University, The United States Air Force Academy, The United States Military Academy at West Point, The United States Naval Academy, The University of Toronto, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Chicago, University of Colorado, University of Missouri, University of Richmond, University of Texas at Austin, Vanderbilt University, and Westmont College.

Performing Arts

The Theatre Arts Department at First Baptist Academy is truly outstanding. Every year, the theatre classes perform several plays, and they all come together to perform the annual spring MusicAL. Past productions include: The Pirates of Penzance, Clue (musical), Our Miss Brooks, The Music Man, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, and most recently, Disney's Beauty and the Beast (musical). Shows are performed in Ralph Baker Hall, with seating of around 220, and The Spring musicals are performed in Centerstage, with seating of around 900-950, in the beautiful Criswell Center of First Baptist Dallas. The 2008 spring musical will be My Fair Lady.

Rigorous Academics

Academics on all levels are built upon a well-rounded, college-preparatory curriculum. Core classes are language arts, mathematics, science, foreign language, history, and Bible. Formal study skills are developed in grades 3-8.

FBA's K program is designed to encourage participation, positive social behavior, and creative thinking. Lower and Middle Schools offer core courses that lay a strong foundation and build formal study skills for the rigorous studies of Upper School.

Students from the East Campus and Downtown Lower School have received top honors in the ACSI Spelling Bee, Math Olympics, and speech meets.

Building on FBA's Lower School enriched curriculum, older students are prepared for the challenges of Upper School. Honors and Advanced Placement courses are offered.

First Baptist Academy graduates attend colleges and universities across the nation. From California to New York, Academy graduates are regularly accepted at some of the finest schools in the country.

Virtually 100% of each graduating class will choose from institutions that May Be private, Christian, or state-supported.

From hands-on exploration of the basics in Lower School to expanded Honors, Pre-Advanced Placement and Advanced Placement courses, students will develop strong study ethics that will motivate and challenge them to reach for excellence in every area of life.

FBA faculty teach all subjects from a Christian world and life view - integrating the Bible where it naturally fits in class instruction. Established in 1972, First Baptist Academy has carried on a tradition of spiritual integrity and academic excellence. FBA is committed to partner with families on behalf of all students' education and future success.

FBA is dedicated to integrating technology into all areas of study. Students have access to three classroom-size computer labs as well as state-of-the-art labs for Upper School sciences and foreign languages. In addition, students have access to computers in every classroom.

Upper School Honors/AP Course Offerings Courses offered include: Honors English 9-10; AP English 11-12; Honors Algebra II; Honors Geometry; Honors Pre-Calculus; Honors Math Analysis; AP Calculus AB; Honors French III; Honors Spanish III; Honors Art III; AP Biology II; Honors Chemistry I; Honors Forensic Science.

National Scholars In the last eleven graduating classes, ten FBA seniors were named National Merit Scholar Finalists; thirty were named Commended Scholars; two were named National Hispanic Scholars.

Facilities

The Downtown campus is located in two buildings adjacent to First Baptist Church Dallas. School plays are performed in 2 different Peter Wolf designed theaters. The lower school received a weather station that is used for weather reporting for Channel 5 and for teaching in the science classrooms. The newly remodeled middle school features a state-of-the-art science lab and band room. The upper school has state of the art science, computer, and language laboratories and ceramic and photography studios. The students have access to two libraries with over 60,000 volumes and 8000 audio and videotapes. Computers are in every classroom.

The Academy is centrally located close to the beautiful Arts District, Dallas Museum of Art, and the Morton H. Symphony Center. All of which are regularly used by students and teachers for various field trips.

The newly built East Campus, strategically located off I-30 at Buckner and Samuell, is housed in several new classrooms on the 22 acre Saints Athletic Complex .

The newly-renovated Saints Athletic Complex is a state-of-the-art sports facility resting on 22 acres of land just east of downtown Dallas off I-30 and the Loop 12/Buckner exit. Address: 7894 Samuell Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75228. Complete with football, softball, baseball, and track fields, wrestling facilities, along with one of the best private school weight training facilities in the state. The Saints Athletic Complex provides the best training and playing atmosphere for First Baptist Academy's fine young athletes.