First Day of School

2008-09-03T19:29:00.001-07:00

Well our first day of school was off to a great start! We have all worked so hard to make this happen in such a short time. Everyone has worked countless hours to remodel the school building. I am amazed at the amount we have been able to accomplish in so little time. If you haven't seen the updates please call to set a time when you can come by, it looks GREAT!

Our new uniforms are wonderful, the students look so attractive and neat! I had such pride seeing them arrive the first day!

We had a few technical issues with our software but the provider of the software is working hard to correct the problem.

Day two was interesting our first "bad weather day" the storm got our electricity so no school today!

I am tired but proud! God is good and it is amazing to watch Him guide our steps!

Thanks to the following people who worked and did the "impossible"
Travis and Crissie Linville - What can I say? You are more than teachers! You are two of the hardest working people I have ever met!
John and Cindy Cheek - From uniforms to everything else only God will ever know what a blessing and help yo have been to BCA!
Carol Thomas - Ali and Kevin - Carol, thank you no one worked harder or gave more you are an amazing women - Ali and Kevin thanks for giving up some of your summer to help clean, carry and paint!
Lindsey Barger - Thanks for all the hard work - Your class room looks awesome!
John Martin - Thank you for laying the tile on our horrible floors now they are the best in town!
Oscar - Your was a thankless task but you did it well and it looks soooooooooo much better!
David, Trea, Tylor, Tiffany, Taylor and Raylee - Thanks for carrying, loading, cleaning, picking things up and putting them away you were a big help
Chris Scott - Helping Paint and clean
Bro. Mike Sheridan - Thank you for the donation of the vanity top in the Ladies room -
Mullins Carpet - Thank you for the donation of so much of the flooring materials!
Moody Cabinet - The doors and new top in the lunch room look great!
Brad and Brent - Thanks for hanging doors!
Doug Kindy / Kindy Plumbing - Thanks for working "after work" to get us open in time for our Open House.
Angel M. - Thanks for making us look like a school! We will be able to afford you one day!
Loretta Eidt
Doug Shambarger
Mark Rogers - Thanks for donating your time and money to keep us cool plus all the help and support you have given!

There are so many more that dropped in to help - Thank you all -
Your unwavering faith and support means more to me than words can say -

A Blog for those with interest in Benton's New School

2008-07-21T17:46:00.001-07:00

This blog has been updated to include new information - 08/05/2008

In last Monday's meetings a major decision was made. The parents of the Calvary Christian Academy students were presented the possibility of opening a new school. After discussion, several parents indicated that they were interested in pioneering such a school. Sufficient interest was shown to continue investigations into starting this school. This blog is the initial communication vehicle for this new school.

In this space, we will answer questions that many people will be asking.

Q: Why does Saline county need a new Christian School?
A: A gap has been created by the anticipated closing of Calvary Christian Academy. Calvary has served the Saline County community for over 3o years. Many students have never attended a public school, and their parents don't want them to begin now. We feel that these students should have a viable Christian alternative.

Q: What will the school be called?
A: That has yet to be determined. Several suggestions have been made. Suggestions are welcome!
Benton Christian Academy.

Q: Where will the school be located?
A: Several options are being considered. If you have a location which you believe would serve well please contact us.
The facility which previously housed Calvary Christian Academy has been leased for the 08/09 school year.

Q: What kind of classes will the school offer?
A: We will offer the basic courses required for students at each grade level as well as several electives. Options are available, mostly depending upon enrollment size. What we can guarantee is the best possible education for students enrolled.
We have decided to use a curriculum by Alpha Omega Publications in conjunction with several lecture style classes being offered. We will be offering Home Ec. classes, Art classes and music as electives.

Q: What about accreditation?
A: This must be answered in two separate parts. The first and most obvious answer is since we are a new school is that the school will begin with no accreditation. However we will begin planning for accreditation with organizations which help to accredit private schools as soon as we begin classes. Depending upon initial enrollment and future growth, it is reasonable to expect to gain accreditation is as little as three or four years.
The second part of this answer is that we have a program which offers accreditation for students and is available for all grades and more information about this program can be offered to parents and students who are interested.

Q: Will the lack of accreditation prevent my student from getting into the college of his/her choice?
A: The short answer is "no". Most colleges accept students on the basis of ACT and SAT scores. Many home schooled children receive full scholarships to very prestigious state and private colleges and universities. As a school, we will do our best to prepare our students to do well on the ACT and SAT tests. Also as mentioned above we have an option for accredited curriculum for those who are interested.

Q: Will the new school offer standardized achievement tests?
A: Yes. We will administer those tests because they are an established way of evaluating our progress. CCA produced students who, as a class, performed well above grade norms. Our goal is to offer the same type of teaching and learning experience so it is reasonable to expect that a new school ran much the same will produce similar results.

Q: How can I contact a new school representative?
A: At this time you may feel free to call Thomas Burkhalter at 501-315-2616 or email him at tsburk@gmail.com

Benton's Newest School

First Day of School

A Blog for those with interest in Benton's New School