MIDDLE SCHOOL
Different by Design
The BBA middle school was created with the purpose of creating an intentional environment based on the foundation of God’s word designed to prepare students for future education. As students progress from the highly structured elementary environment to the independent self-regulation needed for upper school, middle school provides a stepping stone towards internalizing the skills needed to succeed in a time of change.
Because middle school is a unique developmental stage, our theme for middle school is “Different by Design.” Each student in middle school will learn that they have been created in the image of God, and that while bearing His image, they are also uniquely designed. As image-bearers students must reflect God’s image appropriately within a community in this time of intellectual, social, and emotional growth. (Luke 2:52)
Stepping stones of middle school:
- Stepping from cubbies to managing lockers in the classroom
- Stepping from one classroom to navigating multiple classrooms and teachers
- Stepping up to exploring individual interests through clubs
- Stepping up to learning through character-building team competition
Middle School Leadership
Heather Wiggins
Middle School Dean of Academics
Heather Wiggins has been teaching at Berean since the 2011-2012 school year.
Ms. Wiggins began serving at Berean in 2011 after graduating from Pensacola Christian College. After teaching fourth grade for several years, she transitioned into a lead instructional teacher role in elementary, providing instructional coaching and curriculum guidance for the team. When middle school was reorganized to absorb fifth grade, she joined the department with the desire to help provide leadership for the new team and provided informal leadership to the team while teaching English Language Arts for several years before formally accepting the role as Dean of Academics in 2024. Ms. Wiggins is an active member of Berean Baptist Church and serves in multiple ministries including nursery and children’s ministry.
Degrees & Certifications
- Bachelor of Science: Elementary Education with a Minor in Bible, Pensacola Christian College
- Master of Science: Educational Leadership, Bob Jones University
- ACSI Certified
Don Adams
Middle School Dean
Don Adams has been teaching at Berean since the 2002-2003 school year.
In his leadership capacity, Mr. Adams is responsible for overseeing the behavior of the student body, providing counseling to students, parents, and students concerning behavior management, and supporting the overall academic operations by ensuring that the learning environment is conducive to learning. His extensive experience in classroom teaching, coaching, school administration, being a father, grandfather, and providing pastoral care to families allows him to see many perspectives to ensure that everyone is treated fairly and justly. BBA appreciates Mr. Adams stepping back into one of the more time-consuming and stressful roles in education with his previous experience serving the new generation of students well.
Degrees:
- Bachelor of Arts: Ministry with a Youth Concentration, Baptist Bible College
- Master of Arts: Ministry with a concentration in Leadership, Moody Bible Institute
- ACSI Certified
The curriculum for middle school has been structured so that the students will receive training in all academic subjects required by the state of North Carolina. Subjects are taught with a focus on developing critical thinking skills and a Biblical worldview. The middle school uses a variety of resources including BJU Press and New City Catechism. In addition to the core curriculum, middle school also offers recess and a variety of clubs.
Berean Baptist Academy is firm in its belief that the purpose of education is to point students to God. Therefore, our middle school classes integrate Scriptural principles that reflect our theme “Different by Design” to promote the school vision of G.R.A.D.S.
The middle school Bible program begins a four-year cycle that provides the foundational knowledge expanded in junior high school. During the student’s completion of New City Catechism and How to Study the Bible courses, they will be challenged to advance their ability to meet the five core objectives of BBA’s entire Bible program:
- Students will be able to understand, articulate, and defend the metanarrative themes of scripture as creation, fall, redemption, and restoration, as it applies to our earthly and eternal life.
- Students will be able to identify and defend the historical reliability of the eight major Old Testament and three New Testament eras, including the significant people, places, events, and promises of God.
- Students will be able to articulate their personal beliefs concerning the major doctrines of the Bible using scripture as the primary means of support.
- Students will be able to formulate a Christian response to life events based on an understanding of biblical examples, and proper doctrinal interpretations, in a manner consistent with the views of redemption and restoration.
- Students will, at a minimum, develop habits consistent with someone who has a relationship with Christ that results in a systematic study of scripture, prayer, worship, and self-reflection.
General Guidelines for All Students
High School Specifics
Outerwear
With the purpose of encouraging a love for learning and discovering the unique interests and talents of each student, the middle school offers a variety of clubs:
Middle School Core Subjects
Fifth Grade
English Language Arts – The educational materials provide a step-by-step introduction to the Writing Process for eight different types of writing assignments, such as personal narratives, newspaper editorials, historical fiction, and limericks. Additionally, students utilize a vocabulary book, and read various novels throughout the year.
History – Introduction to World History – Students take a tour of the history and culture of ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, Israel, Greece, Africa, the Mayas, and the Roman world.
Math – develops solid problem-solving skills in preparation for algebra, teaches methods of estimation, and familiarizes students with the use calculators to solve math problems. The elementary math educational materials emphasizes the application of math to real-life situations.
Science – reveals the incredible intricacies of cells and organisms, matter and energy, astronomy, heredity, the nervous system, and the immune system.
Bible – This Bible series focuses on the foundational teachings from the Bible about the nature and character of God, the qualities of His people, and His church. Students are given an overview of the Bible, with an emphasis on God’s attributes, biblical characters, the early Church, and what it means to know Jesus Christ and live for Him.
Sixth Grade
English Language Arts – The educational materials provide a step-by-step introduction to the Writing Process for eight different types of writing assignments, such as personal narratives, newspaper editorials, historical fiction, and limericks. Additionally, students utilize a vocabulary book, and read various novels throughout the year.
History – Introduction to World History – Students take a tour of the history and culture of ancient civilizations like Egypt, China, Israel, Greece, Africa, the Mayas, and the Roman world.
Math – develops solid problem-solving skills in preparation for algebra, teaches methods of estimation, and familiarizes students with the use calculators to solve math problems. The elementary math educational materials emphasizes the application of math to real-life situations.
Science – reveals the incredible intricacies of cells and organisms, matter and energy, astronomy, heredity, the nervous system, and the immune system.
Bible – This Bible series focuses on the foundational teachings from the Bible about the nature and character of God, the qualities of His people, and His church. Students are given an overview of the Bible, with an emphasis on God’s attributes, biblical characters, the early Church, and what it means to know Jesus Christ and live for Him.
Classrooms
Teams
Students : Teachers
Clubs
Supply List
Fifth and Sixth Grade General Supplies
Last updated July 9, 2024
Required:
Bible – ESV (or KJV) preferred – all scripture memorized in ESV
1-inch binder with clear cover (Sample binder – Amazon)
3 folders for binder (Suggested – Amazon)
5 colored one-subject composition notebooks (Suggested – Amazon)
Loose-leaf paper for individual use in each class
Pencil Pouch (preferred to fit in binder, not a box)
#2 pencils
Erasers
Glue sticks
Colored pencils
fine tip dry-erase markers
wired earbuds (will be labeled and stored for use at school)
1 large container of disinfecting wipes
3 large boxes of tissues
Book Bag (no rollies)
Optional:
Planner
Index cards
Locker shelf (Suggested shelf – Amazon)
Provided: (Please do not purchase)
Scissors
*Gym bag and luggage lock when participating in PE class or sports
**An art supplies list is available when taking Art Club.
***Please keep a protractor and ruler at home for student use.
Art Supplies (if applicable)
Get YourAnswer Here
What can I do at home to help my child be successful in middle school?
- Have a nightly routine.
- Make bedtime a priority.
- Have a homework space with necessary supplies.
- Review a little each night instead of long study periods.
- Praise progress and effort and not perfection – school is for practice!
How much homework can we expect each night?
The average middle school student can expect to spend between 50 and 60 minutes of work nightly. This overall time means that teachers attempt to limit the work from one course to 10-minutes of work. Again, this is for the average student Some students may finish early and others may take longer. This does not account for studying or long-term projects, such as research papers.
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 through your FACTS SIS (formerly RenWeb) portal 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.