The University-Model School®
Believers Academy: a new model of excellence
Believers Academy has been providing excellence in education for over 25 years. Motivated by a desire to produce disciples and not just graduates, our ASCI qualified staff along with our many volunteers focuses on both teaching our students as well as training them to pursue a life of excellence once they leave our campus. We believe in a holistic approach to education that addresses not only the training of the mind but also of the body and spirit as well. For that reason we encourage our students to engage themselves beyond the classroom by participation in athletics, organizations and community service.
We begin with a philosophy of education
Everything we undertake to accomplish with our students at Believers Academy is built upon an underlying philosophy of education that has at its root three main tenets. First, we believe that all knowledge and understanding originate in God and are best learned in an atmosphere that recognizes His pre-eminence in life. Second, we believe that each student is unique in his gifts and abilities and in the purpose for which he was created and therefore resist a “one size fits all” approach. Third, we believe God has given parents the principle role in overseeing the education of their children, and our role is to assist them in doing so.
A new model of excellence
A recent development at Believers Academy has been the adoption of the University-Model School® (UMS) format for our upper level grades 7 through 12. A unique system of delivering education, the UMS is seen as an enhancement to our pursuit of excellence in education. Specifically, we believe the UMS will afford us an advantage in equipping our students to 1) develop a biblical worldview, 2) grow in Christ-like character and 3) better develop their God-given potential in both academics and life skills.
What does UMS mean for students?
Under the UMS model, students in grades 7-12 will attend classes on a Monday, Wednesday, Friday schedule. Each class will typically be 10 minutes longer than under a traditional model, and assignments will be slightly more encompassing. A central difference compared to traditional models is the out-of-class time allowed for assignments. Having two days of non-class time along with his normal evenings allows the student more freedom to steward his time and even pursue other educational opportunities.
What does UMS mean for parents?
The benefits of UMS for the parents are principally twofold. One, with planning, the student should be able to participate in family life much more intimately and consistently than with traditional models of education. Two, a parent is more involved in training his child in life skills such as time management, course selection and personal development.
What does UMS mean for the school?
Principally, the UMS model allows the school to operate with more focus and with more efficiency. Teachers bring more content to the classroom. Facilities are utilized more efficiently. Even activities such as athletics, club meetings and community service can interface with scheduling in a less stressful manner.
A future of excellence
Throughout the past 25 years, Believers Academy students have excelled not only in the classroom but also in athletics, music, drama, speech, mathematics and many other areas of endeavor. Nearly 1 in 9 of our high school seniors has participated in some level of the National Merit Scholarship Program and more than 50% of those pursuing college receive some degree of scholastic award. The various teams, be they athletic or otherwise, frequently compete and succeed at the state level.
Our pursuit of excellence is an evolving journey whose main goal is to impact our world by producing disciples who embrace a relationship with Jesus Christ and a biblical worldview and who are prepared in all aspects of education to continue a lifetime of learning.