Fort Bend Christian Academy | |
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Location | |
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Coordinates | 29°37′48″N 95°36′55″W / 29.6301°N 95.6152°W |
Information | |
Former names | Sugar Creek Baptist Church School (SCBCS) Fort Bend Baptist Academy (FBBA) |
Type | Private, co-educational, non-profit |
Motto | believe. achieve. lead. |
Denomination | non-denominational Christian |
Opened | September 1987 |
Head of school | Joshua Gettys[1] |
Grades | PK-12 |
Gender | Co-educational |
Enrollment | 860 |
Student to teacher ratio | 10:1[2] |
Color(s) | Green White Gold |
Athletics conference | TAPPS 5A |
Mascot | Eagles |
Nickname | FBCA |
Rivals | Lutheran South Academy |
Accreditation | Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) |
Website | Fort Bend Christian Academy |
Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA) is a private PK-12 Christian school with two campuses in Sugar Land, Texas in the Houston metropolitan area.[3] With two campuses, the North Campus houses upper school (9th - 12th Grade) while the South Campus houses lower school (PreK - 4th Grade) and middle school (5th - 8th Grade).[4] FBCA pursues a mission "to equip students to thrive spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically" through weekly chapel, maintaining a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio in the upper school and providing a wide variety of honors and AP courses. With 82%[2] of students participating in athletics, FBCA has high participation in their sports program alongside a competitive Fine Arts program the school has achieved a combined 26 Fine Arts and Athletic State Championships. The school has unique traditions and opportunities such as Eagle Weeke and has been recognized as the "Best Private School" in Fort Bend County.[5]
Academics
Upper School
All Upper School FBCA students graduate from either the recommended or distinguished degree program, with 100% of graduates pursuing post-secondary education or military service.[6] The average class size in FBCA's Upper School is 14 students.[7] Course offerings include a variety of unique honors and Advanced Placement-level courses, fostering academic rigor and enabling students to excel. Drawing on the diverse community of the surrounding area, the Upper School boasts 40% racial diversity.[6]
FBCA alumni have included National Merit Finalists,[8][2] Semifinalists[9][10] and Commended Scholars[11][12] and have gone on to study at a variety of Ivy League schools including Brown University,[13] Columbia University,[14] Cornell University,[15] and Princeton University[16] as well as elite institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,[17] Stanford University,[18] The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Rice University and the University of California, Berkeley.
Lower and Middle School
Serving as a foundation for a college-preparatory education, the Lower School curriculum combines a "traditional academic program rich in mathematics, science, literature and social studies with a diverse offering of courses in Spanish, computers, music, art, science and physical education."[19]
In 2020, a STEAM Lab was opened for the Lower and Middle School[20] focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Students engage in STEAM enrichment classes beginning in PreK, developing skills to code and program robots, learn about science fundamentals such as states of matter, and work on engineering projects designed to teach and engage students on fundamental engineering and physics principles.
In Middle School, "the traditional academic program offers a rich selection of classes within arts, world languages, technology, creative writing and leadership opportunities. Students participate in weekly chapel and dive deeper into daily Bible classes"[19] designed to develop servant leaders.
Students from the Lower and Middle Schools have a variety of opportunities to compete in various academic competitions including the Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) state competition, where FBCA has excelled.[21]
Athletics
Fort Bend Christian Academy sports teams are known as the Eagles; their colors are green and white with gold accent. They compete as a TAPPS Division II/5A[22] school with 26 varsity and junior varsity upper school athletics teams. Multiple sports are offered in each sports season, including cheerleading, dance team, cross country, football, and volleyball in the fall; basketball, cheerleading, dance team, soccer, and swimming in the winter; and baseball, golf, softball, tennis, track and field in the spring.[23]
Recently named "Best Private School" in Fort Bend County,[5][2] FBCA offers students opportunities to play multiple sports at a competitive level with a substantial 82%[2] of students participating in competitive sports annually. The objective of the FBCA athletic department is to "glorify God while developing student athletes and mentoring them in blending a competitive spirit in the athletic arena while attaining excellence in their spiritual lives, academic endeavors, and social responsibilities."[24]
On February 11, 2019, FBCA named world-record setter Deon Minor Head Track and Field coach.[25]
On February 15, 2019, FBCA named former University of Notre Dame and former NFL player Jordan Black as head football coach.[26][27] Coach Black has since completed his Master of Theology from Houston Baptist University in 2021 and was named Private School Coach of the Year in 2022 by the Touchdown Club of Houston.[28]
On July 19, 2023, FBCA named former Rice University Quarterback and NFL Wide Receiver Bert Emanuel as the new director of athletics.[29]
Notable Athletic Achievements
With a combined 26 Fine Art and Athletic State Championships, FBCA has won numerous athletic awards including most recently:
- 2022 TAPPS 5A State Championship in Football[30] overcoming Second Baptist 41-14[31]
- 2022 and 2023 TAPPS 5A State Championship for the girls' track team.[32][33]
- 2023 TAPPS 5A State Championship for the boys' track team[34]
- 2022 TAPPS 5A State Runner Up for girls' volleyball team[35]
- 2021 TAPPS 5A State Championship for the girls' volleyball team[36][37]
- 2021 TAPPS 5A State Regional Finalist for boys' baseball team[38]
- 2021 TAPPS 5A State Runner Up for boys' track team[39]
- 2019, 2005, 2002, & 1998 TAPPS 5A State Final Four for boys' basketball[15]
- 2019 TAPPS 5A State Championship for girls' tennis[40]
- 2019 TAPPS 5A State Championship for cheerleading[41]
- Seven TAPPS State Championships in girls' softball[42]
- Multiple TAPPS 5A State records in boys' and girls' swimming[43]
Foreign Language
Foreign language courses include Spanish I-IV and ASL I-V. FBCA has a robust American Sign Language (ASL) program that enriches the community through student performances,[44] works with the theatre department to incorporate ASL into musicals,[45][46] and incorporates machine translation of sign languages using SignAll technology to allow students to "practice, learn, and get immediate feedback on their American Sign Language skills in real time."[47]
Traditions
FBCA encourages a variety of traditions to "encourage participation, build community and provide families with fond memories of their time spent on campus."[48] These traditions range from more common activities such as Homecoming and Rodeo Day to opportunities for building community such as:
- Eighth Grade Camp Eagle week which is included in the cost of tuition and offers students an opportunity to "experience outdoor adventure and grow closer to Christ and each other during a week-long retreat at Camp Eagle in the Texas Hill Country"[48] with activities ranging from zip lining, swimming, and sports to rock climbing, kayaking and more. They also take part in worship and devotional times.
- Eagle Week is an unique opportunity for FBCA upper school students "to serve locally or internationally and to meet the physical and spiritual needs of people living thousands of miles away or just down the road."[48] Whether serving at a Food bank, clothing bank, visiting Washington, D.C. to learn about our country's history, helping with local kids ministries, hosting Vacation Bible schools, or traveling to international destinations such as Greece, Israel, The Bahamas, Haiti, Ukraine, or Spain — students are afforded a variety of opportunities to build stronger ties with communities.
- Senior-Kinder buddy program which is a leadership program designed to foster strong community bonds, connecting FBCA students just beginning their time at the school with those about to finish. "Students meet with their buddies on several occasions throughout the year including a book reading pajama party, 50's style sock hop to celebrate the 50th day of school and a 100th day of school celebration where they dress as the elderly."[49]
History
The school first opened in September 1987, with seven kindergarten students, as Sugar Creek Baptist Church School (SCBCS). The school, on the property of Sugar Creek Baptist Church, had one teacher in its initial year, and 1988 it had 14 students with first grade included. The school moved to the property of the First Baptist Church of Sugar Land and changed its name to Fort Bend Baptist Academy (FBBA) in Summer 1992.[8] At the time of the move the school became non-denominational and it was no longer affiliated and no longer received support from the church. The word "Baptist" remained in its name even though it became a non-denominational school with no support from any particular denomination.[4]
The 7th and 8th grades opened in the 1993–1994 school year.[8] In the following year the FBBA's high school division opened.[4]
Its current name (Fort Bend Christian Academy) was adopted in the summer of 2011.[8] The board adopted a name indicating the school's non-denominational status in order to compete with area private schools and increase enrollment. The school mascot, colors, and scripture verse remained the same. The school hired a marketing company to establish a new brand along with the new name.[4]
Campus & Location
FBCA facilities are adjacent to one another across the large 35-acre campus with multiple facilities including the South Campus, North Campus, 7,000 sq. ft. Visual Arts Pavilion, baseball stadium, athletic complex, field house, track, soccer field, weight room, training facility, and football field with new shock pad system, cooler infill, and artificial turf surface.[50][51]
The campus consists of three main facilities:
- North Campus for Upper School/High School students (9th - 12th Grade)
- South Campus for Lower/Middle School students (PreK - 8th Grade)
- Athletics Complex
North Campus (Upper School)
1250 Seventh Street
Sugar Land, TX 77478
South Campus (Lower/Middle School)
1201 Lakeview Drive
Sugar Land, TX 77478
Athletic Complex
1207 Seventh Street
Sugar Land, TX 77478
References
- ^ "Meet the Head of School". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved August 3, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "FBCA Admissions Brochure by FBCA Communications - Issuu". issuu.com. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ^ Home. Fort Bend Christian Academy. Retrieved on January 4, 2017. "North Campus | 1250 Seventh Street, Sugar Land, TX 77478 South Campus | 1201 Lakeview, Sugar Land, TX 77478"
- ^ a b c d Stottlemyer, Cory (2011-06-22). "What's in a name: Fort Bend Baptist Academy now Fort Bend Christian Academy". Houston Chronicle. Sugar Land Sun. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
- ^ a b Womack, Justin (2023-08-01). "2023 Best Of Fort Bend County Readers' Choice Winners". Living Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ a b "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Upper School". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Berger, Eric (August 29, 2022). "Does Your Child's Class Size Matter?". U.S. News & World Report.
- ^ a b c d "History." Fort Bend Christian Academy. Retrieved on January 4, 2017.
- ^ "Congratulations to the Two FBCA Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Senior Kelsey Brown named National Merit Semifinalist". fbindependent.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Menslage, Joseph (2021-10-28). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Seniors Named National Merit Commended Scholars". Katy Christian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Birch, Sheryl (2020-10-06). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Seniors Named National Merit Commended Scholars". The Katy News. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Kuhlmann, Landan (2022-08-14). "HS Sports roundup: FBCA two-sport standout commits to Brown". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "FBCA Student-Athletes Sign National Letters of Intent to Continue Athletic Careers at Collegiate Level - VYPE". www.vype.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ a b "Athlete Signs to Play Basketball at Ivy League School". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Vype, Fort Bend Christian Academy (2021-06-09). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Magazine: The Princeton Man". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Meet the Class of 2019 Val & Sal". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Vype, Fort Bend Christian Academy (2021-06-02). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Magazine: The Kas". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ a b "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Lower School". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Family Celebrates Polasek STEAM Lab". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2020-10-07. Retrieved 2023-08-22.
- ^ "FBCA Students Have a Great Showing at PSIA State Competition". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Home of the Eagles!". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Teams & Schedules". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas New Family Information". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ^ "World Record Setter Deon Minor Named Head Track and Field Coach". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Former NFL Player Jordan Black Named Head Football Coach". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-02-15. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "FBCA Magazine Feature: Coaches Corner - VYPE". www.vype.com. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
- ^ "Coach Black awarded as 2022 Private School Coach of the Year". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2022-12-12. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Bert Emanuel Sr. Named Director of Athletics at Fort Bend Christian Academy". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-07-19. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Football Wins TAPPS 5A Division II State Championship". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2022-12-06. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ Birch, Sheryl (2022-12-08). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Football Wins TAPPS 5A Division II State Championship". The Katy News. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Track Wins TAPPS 5A State Championship | Fort Bend Focus Magazine". Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ "FBCA Boys and Girls Track & Field Wins TAPPS 5A State Championship". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-05-09. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "STACKED: Concordia Lutheran's Harless commits to DBU ahead of ensuing season - VYPE". www.vype.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Varsity Volleyball TAPPS 5A State Runner Up". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Volleyball Wins TAPPS 5A State Championship". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2021-12-03. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Marrion, Jack (December 6, 2021). "State champion Fort Bend Christian earns all-state honors". Houston Chronicle.
- ^ Vype, Dennis Silva Ii (2022-06-20). "SPRING WRAP: Eagle's Soar High In 2021-2022 Seasons". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ Marrion, Jack (May 7, 2021). "Fort Bend Christian runner-up at TAPPS state track meet".
- ^ Marrion, Jack (April 16, 2019). "Fort Bend Christian captures TAPPS girls state tennis title".
- ^ "Cheer Earns State Championship Title". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Softball Wins Third State Championship in a Row". fbindependent.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Vype, Dennis Silva Ii (2022-01-27). "FBCA's Klatt wins gold twice, sets stage for possible 4-peat at state". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Kuhlmann, Landan (2021-05-11). "Fort Bend Christian Academy hosting shadow play for hearing-impaired community". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ "FBCA Theater & ASL Win Outstanding Production Award at Junior Theater Festival". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-01-19. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ Staff reports (2023-02-01). "Fort Bend Christian Academy performers take home Outstanding Performance Award". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy American Sign Language Program Pilots New Technology | Fort Bend Focus Magazine". Retrieved 2023-08-08.
- ^ a b c "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Traditions". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Student Leadership". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Mission, History, Accreditations". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Installs State-of-the-Art Football Field". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2023-08-05.