About FBA

History
First Baptist Academy opened its doors on September 5, 1972, with 127 students in grades K-7. It was founded as a Biblically-integrated, college preparatory school located in downtown Dallas and was the realization of a twenty-seven-year-old dream of Dr. W. A. Criswell, then Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Dallas. Grades were added each year until 1977 when FBA graduated its first senior class.

Current total student enrollment is 619 students. These students are 29% diverse, represent 110 zip codes, and attend over 210 churches in the metroplex.

Mission Statement
First Baptist Academy of Dallas cultivates a Biblically-informed view of life in its diverse K-12 students through a rigorous, college preparatory education, challenging all to attain their potential in mind, emotion, body, and spirit for the glory of Christ and the advancement of His kingdom.

Accreditation
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Accrediting Commission of the Texas Association of Baptist Schools.

Member of The Association of Christian Schools International

Motto
Since 1972...education of distinction with an eternal perspective.

College Enrollment
FBA graduates attend colleges and universities throughout the United States. Out-of-state institutions accepting students from the Classes of 2007 – 2009 include:

Arizona State University, Auburn University, Belhaven College, Belmont University, Biola University, Bradley University, California Polytechnic University at Pomona, Carson-Newman College, Cedarville Universty, Chapman University, Clemson University, College of Santa Fe, Colorado Christian University, DePaul University, Dordt College, Drexel University, Elon University, Evangel University, Florida Gulf Coast University, Florida International University, Georgia Institute of Technology, Harding University, Harrington School of Design, John Brown University, Kansas State University, Liberty University, Louisiana State University, Louisiana Tech University, Loyola University, Lyon College, Marymount Manhattan College, Michigan State University, Mid-America Christian University, Mississippi College, Mississippi State University, Northern Arizona University, Northwestern University, Oklahoma Baptist University, Oklahoma City University, Oklahoma State University, Oral Roberts University, Ottawa University, Otterbein College, Ouachita Baptist University, Pace University, Paul Smith’s College, Pepperdine University, Pennsylvania State University at York, Purdue University, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rollins College, Savannah College of Art and Design, Southern Nazarene University, St. John’s College, State University of New York at Binghamton, Temple University, The Citadel, Tulane University, United States Air Force Academy, United States Military Academy, University of Alabama, University of Alabama – Birmingham, University of Arkansas, University of Colorado, University of Florida, University of Georgia, University of Idaho, University of Kansas, University of Miami, University of Mississippi, University of Missouri, University of Montana, University of New Mexico, University of Notre Dame, University of Oklahoma, University of the Ozarks, University of Southern California, University of West Virginia, Vanderbilt University.

[90% of graduating seniors attend 4-year colleges]

Destinations of the top 10 students in 2009 include:
Baylor University, Oklahoma State University, Texas A&M University, Texas Christian University, Trinity University, University of Houston, University of Oklahoma, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas

Class of 2009 College Acceptances

Upper School Honors/AP Course Offerings
Courses offered include: Honors English 9-10; AP English 11-12; Honors Algebra II; Honors Geometry; Honors Pre-Calculus; Honors Math Analysis; AP Calculus AB; Honors French III;
Honors Spanish III; Honors Art III; Theater Arts III; Honors Chemistry I; Honors Forensic Science, Biology, Physics, World History.

Facilities
The downtown campus is located in three buildings adjacent to First Baptist Church Dallas. School plays are performed in a Peter Wolf designed theater. The lower school received a weather station that is used for weather reporting and for teaching in the science classrooms. The middle school features a state-of-the-art science lab and band room. The upper school has science, computer, and language laboratories and ceramic and photography studios. The students have access to two libraries with over 46,000 volumes and 5900 tapes and cds.

The Academy is centrally located close to the Arts District, and the students use the Dallas Museum of Art and the Morton H. Symphony Center as classrooms.

Other Programs
FBA accepts a limited number of students with diagnosed mild to moderate learning differences. These students must meet the admissions criteria of the school. Students are offered two programs to promote success in the classroom. The lower school provides the AIM (Alternate Instructional Methods) program as a support system for students in grades 1-5 and the middle and upper schools offer the Learning Lab and Test Center (LLTC) for students in grades 6-12. Alternative strategies may be used to help the student maintain satisfactory progress. The cost of the program is in addition to regular tuition.

Non-Discrimination Policy
FBA does not discriminate against any student or family based on race, sex, marital status, national or ethnic origin. All qualified applicants will receive consideration.