Calvary Baptist Academy

About Calvary Baptist Academy

This Academy was first established in 1991 as a \"homeschooler\'s umbrella\" for the members of the church. Because of the conviction of educating their children from a Christian perspective and because of the hardship homeschooling presented to some of the families within the church, Calvary Baptist Academy was established beginning with the 1992 school year. Its main emphasis is the mastery of academics from a Christian view. This school is not accredited by the State of Alabama; however, it meets and/or exceeds the minimum standards required by the Alabama Department of Education. Through membership, in both the Alabama Christian Education Association and the American Association of Christian Schools, they enjoy the assistance of legal, legislative, and academic support. The academy continues to provide an \"umbrella\" for homeschooling church families.

This Academy seeks to give their students the best possible education. This effort begins with an emphasis on reading, phonics, and memorization skills at the kindergarten level. A clear foundation for learning is set and built through the elementary levels, using A Beka Book and Bob Jones University Press curricula. The emphasis in the secondary level, grades 7-12, is to fine-tune the usage of reasoning skills learned in the lower grades to prepare them for college. A \"core curriculum\" is emphasized to best prepare students for a continuing education.

Unique to Calvary, is its teaching staff, which consists mostly of volunteers. Church members, who feel called to do so, commit to teach a grade or subject for a one year period. Thus, students receive training from teachers who are qualified and working in a field closely related to the subject. Heading up this distinctive staff is Pastor Dirk Crawford, who is the school administrator. Crawford graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Music Education degree in 1979, a Master of Science in Education Administration in 1981, and an Education Specialist Degree in Educational Leadership in 2004, also at BJU. He and his wife, who graduated from Bob Jones University with a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education, have been serving here since the fall of 1996.