ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

Strong Foundationsfor Learning, Leading, and Living for Christ

Elementary School Academics
At Berean Baptist Academy, our mission is to make disciples who strive for academic excellence. In our elementary program, students receive a strong foundation in core subjects—language arts, history, math, and science—while learning to think critically and apply a biblical worldview. Each course aligns with the North Carolina Essential Standards and Department of Education requirements, yet remains distinctly Christian in approach and content.

Language & Literacy
We believe strong literacy skills are essential for lifelong learning. Using a phonics-based approach, students in kindergarten and first grade build the foundation for reading with understanding and enjoyment. By second grade, students are reading across genres and learning to discuss ideas from text. In third and fourth grade, students sharpen their skills through analysis, discussion, and writing projects that encourage clear thinking, discernment, and independent learning.

Elementary School
elemntary-school

Mathematics
Math instruction at Berean emphasizes both mastery of foundational skills and the development of higher-level thinking. Younger students focus on number recognition, addition, and subtraction, while older elementary students advance to multiplication, division, geometry, and basic algebra concepts. Along the way, students gain problem-solving, logic, and reasoning skills while also learning practical applications such as telling time and managing money.

Writing & Communication
From the earliest grades, students learn to express their ideas clearly and effectively. Kindergarten begins with handwriting and simple sentence construction, while first grade introduces cursive writing. As students progress, they learn the writing process through essays, creative projects, and research assignments. By upper elementary, students complete a research paper and present their findings using technology—equipping them with the communication and leadership skills they will need to succeed in middle school and beyond.

Academic Leadership

Dr. Jack Farmer

Dr. Jack Farmer

INTERIM ELEMENTARY PRINCIPAL

Dr. Farmer’s leadership journey began in the U.S. Army Infantry, where he developed discipline, resilience, and the ability to lead teams with clarity and purpose. After a service-related injury, he transitioned from the military to education, earning degrees in theology and leadership while teaching, mentoring, and serving in ministry. These experiences shaped his ability to communicate with empathy, build strong relationships, and guide others through both challenges and growth. As Superintendent, Dr. Farmer has strengthened instructional systems, developed staff, supported principals, and created a culture of collaboration. He understands the unique needs of elementary students—safety, structure, encouragement, and joy in learning—and he prioritizes nurturing the whole child spiritually, academically, and emotionally.

Stepping in as Interim Elementary Principal, Dr. Farmer brings strong organizational skills, clear decision-making, and calm leadership. He is skilled in coaching teachers, setting high expectations with support, and unifying teams around a shared mission. By partnering with departmental principals for instructional coaching and teacher support, he will provide stability, elevate instructional quality, and lead a Christ-centered environment where students and staff thrive while still providing corporate oversight of the Academy.

Bio/Education

Degrees:

  • Doctor of Education: Educational Leadership, Trident Univeristy International
  • Education Specialist: Educational Leadership, Liberty University
  • Master of Education: School Administration and Supervision, Liberty University
  • Master of Pastoral Theology, Andersonville Theological Seminary
  • Bachelor of Theology, Andersonville Theological Seminary

Certifications:

  • Executive Certificate in Teaching and Learning: Curriculum Design, Liberty University
  • Certificate of Advanced School Leadership and Management, Harvard University
  • Certificate of Inquiry Based Leadership, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
  • Association of Christian Schools International – Head of School (Professional Level)
  • Association of Christian Schools International – All Levels Principal (Professional Lifetime Award)
    Academics
    Bible Overview
    Dress Code
    Parent Handbook
    STEM & Clubs
    Students become life-long learners by developing a love of learning and discovery. The teacher is central to the development of the student at school, and developing strong relationships between parents and teachers is the desire of BBA. Teachers foster this development through the use of textbooks, technology, activities, and projects. Core academic skills are continually put into practice to develop student proficiency at every grade level in classes and through individual student use of adaptive academic websites.
    • Student materials are selected by teams based on three critical educational goals: assist the teacher in meeting and exceeding state standards, hold student interest, and provide continual scaffolding of skills for mastery.
    • Each grade has a lead teacher. Teachers collaborate within the grade level and above and below the grade level to ensure a smooth progression of instruction for students.
    • Students learn personal responsibility as they care for their supplies, write down and complete daily homework, and complete benchmark projects starting in second grade.
    • Students have the opportunity to develop the whole person through social-emotional class instruction, daily recess, music, art, technology, physical education, and private music lessons. Students may be invited to participate in extra fine arts, sports, or academic events throughout the year.
    • In all of these areas, students are taught they are image-bearers of God, they have a unique plan and purpose in life already planned by God, and God desires a personal relationship with them. Students are encouraged to use their skills, interests, and abilities to serve God by serving others in their home, school, church, and community.

    The primary goal of Kingdom Education is to reach the heart of every child with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This begins early as children learn biblical narratives and stories that ultimately point them to Christ through the lens of the biblical themes of Creation, Fall, Redemption, and Restoration. Students are taught biblical principles through reinforcement of core values which then serve as a Gospel witness to others. Chapel takes place each week on Monday mornings with an intentional approach to guide students to worship and learn. Biblical integration is also part of every subject as Berean’s desire for students is to develop a biblical worldview. Developing a biblical worldview then prompts students to constantly filter all of life through the lens of God’s Word.

    Students must appear neat, modest, and well-groomed at all times. Clothing should be free of wrinkles, holes, frays, stains, or excessive fading and should fit properly—not too tight or overly loose. Any attire worn should support the values of a Christian academic environment and not distract from the focus of instruction. Final determination of appropriateness rests with administration.

    Pants and Bottoms 

    • Clean, tailored slacks, chinos, or jeans (free of rips, fading, or excessive decoration) are permitted. 
    • Leggings are only allowed under a dress or tunic-length top that meets skirt-length standards. 
    • Skirts, dresses, and shorts must not be more than a dollar bill width above the knee.
    • Cargo-style pants and shorts are not permitted.

    Tops 

    • Students may only wear BBA-branded tops or faith-based (witness) tops that communicate biblical truth in alignment with the Academy’s statement of faith.

    Footwear 

    • Shoes must be neat and in good condition. 
    • For safety, students in 4th grade and below must wear shoes that enclose the entire foot and are secured to prevent injury. These provide the necessary support and protection during active play and classroom transitions.

    Outerwear and Headgear 

    • Only BBA hoodies or cardigan style sweaters are permitted inside classrooms, all other jackets will be removed when inside. 
    • No hats or caps indoors, except on spirit days or with medical permission.
    • Headgear must be removed during prayer. 

    Hair & Grooming 

    • Students must maintain neat and well-groomed hairstyles. 

    Accessories 

    • Jewelry must be age-appropriate and safe for daily activities. 
    • Large hoop-style or dangling earrings are not permitted for girls due to potential hazards on playground equipment. 
    • Necklaces must be of the breakaway style to prevent injury should they become caught or pulled during play. 
    • Jewelry must be modest. Male jewelry is limited to a wristwatch and class ring.
    • Accessories must not distract from the academic environment. 
    • Males are prohibited from wearing earrings or painting their nails.

      Elementary offers various clubs after school each semester. These clubs vary by school year and operate during Club Weeks. Some of these clubs include Spanish, STEM, Art, and Student Leadership.

      STEM provides students with the opportunity to create, build, imagine, and learn. The Elementary STEM Lab is equipped with resources to help students explore the world of science, technology, engineering, and math through hands-on learning. Students learn how to apply a scientific approach to identifying real problems and creating solutions, and Berean’s STEM curriculum has been redesigned to build digital literacy in students based on ISTE learning standards including digital citizenship, computer operations, and basic coding and robotics. Each classroom is also equipped with Chromebooks or Chrome Tablets for each child as an extension of STEM as students have access to online resources and programs to reinforce other academic courses.

      Classrooms

      Teachers/Aides

      Students

      Administrators

      Get YourAnswer Here

      What types of specials do elementary students have?

      The elementary program provides specials classes to enrich its core academic program. These courses traditionally include STEM, P.E., Spanish, Art, and Music.

      What is offered outside the classroom?

      The elementary department offers several learning enrichment and extra curricular activities outside of the classroom. Clubs takes place after school on various days of the week and operate during Club Weeks. Clubs are offered based on availability to various grade levels each semester and include Spanish Club, Art Club, STEM Club, and Leadership Club (clubs are subject to availability each year). Students may also take advantage of the Karate Club that meets twice a week after school through a local partnership program offered on campus. Sports opportunities include indoor soccer, basketball, cheerleading, and summer clinics (sports opportunities are subject to availability and the time of year). 

      Big days for elementary include a Spelling Bee in January and a Career Day in March. Elementary also participates in student activity opportunities through ACSI in areas including Spelling Bee, Math Olympcs, Piano Festival, and Art Competition. 

      Will homework be assigned?

      Students can expect to have 10 minutes of homework per grade level (Example: 30 minutes for 3rd Grade). Students often have time to complete much of this work during the school day.

      How can I communicate with the teachers?

      Teachers welcome communication from concerned parents.  They are willing to answer your questions and provide support. You may reach them anytime by emailing them directly. Each teacher can be reached through e-mail (first.last@bbafnc.org). 

      Please understand that many teachers are parents and grandparents and that they spend several nights each week grading and preparing lessons, and therefore, may limit their response times.  It is the academy’s expectation that teachers respond to emails within 24-48 hours.  Like we ask them to guard your Saturday and Sunday with little to no emails, so you can spend time with family and freely worship at church, we ask them (and you) to do the same for their lives.  Please make every effort to look ahead at assignments and projects to limit last-minute emails.

      What types of extra curricular activities do you have for elementary?

      Several clubs and activities have been added to enrich the core academic program for elementary students at Berean. An Art Club and a STEM Club are available each semester, and students can join the Karate Club which takes place on Tuesday and Thursdays after school. We are continuing to expand our after school clubs each year and are looking for parents or those within the community to lead a new club.

      How do I order lunch?

      Parents can either order lunch for their child through the online lunch portal or send their child to school with a lunch.