School Accreditation
Blue Ridge Christian School is fully accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and by the North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement (NCA-CASI). 

We have graduated 918 students in 30 classes of seniors who have successfully continued their education in a variety of Christian, private, and public universities, including the Air Force Academy and the Naval Academy.  Over 95% of our graduates go on to further their education.

Educational Philosophy

The educational philosophy of Blue Ridge Christian School is based upon the Word of God (II Timothy 2:15, 3:16-17).  The primary objective and purpose of the school is to work together with the parent and their local church to train the student in developing his/her personal relationship with Jesus Christ and to inculcate a biblical worldview through the educational process.     

The academic program, through the traditional approach, is developed to provide students with the best possible program of study.  There is emphasis on the mastery of the fundamental material necessary for satisfactory achievement in each area.  Along with the acquisition of facts and concepts, stress is placed upon the development of critical thinking skills.  Proven methods of teaching are utilized with a constant search for more effective methods.      

Character training is an important part of Blue Ridge Christian School.  We believe that the heart of character training is obedience - first of all to God, then to parents and authority in general (Ephesians 6:1, Hebrews 13:17).  This will eventually cultivate an inner self-discipline essential to the emotional, physical, social, and spiritual well being of the student. The teacher is the authority in the classroom.  Discipline is administered firmly, but fairly.  To obey, to do right, and to love God are attitudes we strive to instill in each student, thus equipping him/her for the role he/she will have in God’s plan (Micah 6:8).    

Teachers' Credentials
In accordance with our school's accreditation, all the core teachers are certified in the subject/grade level in which they teach.  Certification from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) is mandatory.  This ensures that each teacher is thoroughly versed in the Word-centered philosophy of Christian school education and have college hours in Bible.

Elementary 
The elementary division consists of kindergarten through 6th grade.  Each of these classes are self-contained with students leaving their primary teacher for classes in music, physical education, computers (grades 3 - 6), and band (grades 5 - 6).  The students enjoy a chapel service weekly.  All of the subjects are taught from a thoroughly biblical worldview.  Daily Bible lessons and scripture memory are a vital facet of the school's educational program.  Class sizes vary, but do not exceed 24 students per class (20 for kindergarten).


A variety of publishers are used for the elementary curriculum including ABeka (K-2 reading, history, and science), ACSI (spelling and Bible), and Bob Jones (reading and language arts for grades 3 - 6).
We also use Wordly Wise, published by Educator's Publishing for vocabulary development.

Middle School
Students in grades 7 - 8 make up the middle school division.  These students move from class to class with a different teacher for each subject.  Following are subjects taught:

7th Grade:
Bible - Lifeway Press - CharacterQuest - studies character qualities like maturity, discernment, purity, wisdom, thankfulness, etc. through the lives of various Bible characters.  Scripture memory is also part of the course.

Bible - Lifeway Press - CharacterQuest - studies character qualities like maturity, discernment, purity, wisdom, thankfulness, etc. through the lives of various Bible characters.  Scripture memory is also part of the course.

 

History - American Republic  - Bob Jones University Press - American History

 

Science - Earth Science - Bob Jones University Press 
 

Math - Houghton Miflin - Pre-Algebra

 

English - We use Wordly Wise, published by Educator's Publishing for vocabulary.  Holt is used for grammar and ABeka is used for literature.

Eighth graders also take a semester of Study Skills/Library Skills and a semester of Art.

They can choose, as electives, to take choir, band, Junior High Sports, and Study Hall.

High School
The high school division offers a full range of courses.  Following are the graduation requirements:

Each high school student will be required to complete a total of 25 units, which exceeds Missouri law.  Each student must have the following credits:

               
            Bible                            4 credits          Physical Education                1 credit                        
            English                         4 credits          Fine Arts (music, art, drama) 1 credit    
            Math                            3 credits          Computers                          1 credit

            Social Studies                3 1/2 units      Electives                             3 1/2 credits

            Science                         3 units            Christian Ministry                 1 credit

Students are required to be enrolled eight semesters in high school after 8^th grade to graduate, even though some students will complete credit requirements for graduation in a shorter time.  Home school students must attend and satisfactorily complete their junior and senior years at BRCS in order to graduate from the school.

DUAL CREDIT CLASSES:  BRCS has a strong partnership with Central Christian College of Kansas (McPherson, KS).  College credit is available for several classes:

American Literature - 3 semester hours/1 semester long course course
British Literautre - 3 semester hours/1 semester long course
English Composition 1 - 3 semester hours/1 semester long course
English Composition 2 - 3 semester hours/ 1 semester long course
Worldviews (12th grade Bible) - 3 semester hours/ 1 year long course
Principles of Speech - 3 semester hours/1 year long course

At the high school level, a student can take:
Math - Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra II, Trig/Pre Calculus, and Calculus 

History - Cultural Geography, American History, Government, Economics (dual credit)

French - (up to 2 years)
 
Music - Choir, Ensemble, Handbell Choir, Band, Pep Band

Computer Science - Applications, Advanced Applications, Digital Photography, Yearbook, Journalism

Art - using various mediums including painting, drawing, ceramics, etc.

Drama - Drama as a Ministry, Principles of Speech (dual credit)


Building Relationships through Extra-Curricular Activities
We believe that extra-curricular involvement builds character.  Activities outside the school day, such as athletics, music ministry, drama, etc. all provide an excellent venue for challenging students in many areas of biblical character development.

Athletics
Students may be involved in athletics beginning in grade 5.  Elementary students may participate in boys' soccer, basketball, and track. Elementary aged girls may participate in volleyball, basketball, and track.  Practices are held during the school day.  Games are held after school and on Saturdays against other Christian and private schools in the greater Kansas City area.

At the junior high level, boys may participate in soccer, basketball, and track.  Girls may pariticpate in cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, and track.  Practices are held during the school day.  Games are held after school and on Saturdays against other Christian and private schools in the greater Kansas City area. 

High school students may participate in junior varsity and varsity athletics.  For boys, sports includes soccer, basketball, track, and golf.  Girls participate in cheerleading, volleyball, basketball, track, and soccer.  Practices are held outside the school day.  Games include competition against other Christian and private schools in the greater Kansas City area as well as in locations around the tri-state area.  The school is a member of the Tri-State conference, competing against other Christian schools in Missouri, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

The athletic handbook may be found in the back of the Parent/Student Handbook.


Music
The current junior high and high school music teacher is beginning her 33rd year of ministry at the school.  Her longevity has enabled the music program to mature, producing award winning choirs, handbell choirs, vocal ensembles, and bands.  Attention to technique with a focus on ministry are hallmarks of the music program.   At this level, involvement in music is an elective.  Generally, the high school choir has 40 - 50 members.  Concerts for the various groups are held throughout the school year.

A music missions trip is scheduled approximately every third year.  This trip includes the senior handbell and vocal ensemble.  In the past, the groups have ministered in Mexico, Eastern Europe, Germany, and the Canary Islands.

At the elementary level, music classes are held twice a week for each grade.  These classes include music appreciation, music theory, and learning songs for the various programs held throughout the year.  Band instruction begins in grade 5.

Drama
Blue Ridge Christian School is well known for its excellent drama department.  The drama department does a full musical production each spring, usually involving nearly 70 students.  In past years, productions included Annie, Fiddler on the Roof, Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, and The Wizard of Oz, among others.  The production for the spring of 2010 is Charlotte's Web.  Performance dates are March 25 - 27.  Call the school office for tickets at 358-0950.  In addition, the students in the drama department minister in elementary and secondary chapel services.  Students also compete in the annual Midwest Christian School Academic and Fine Arts Festival.

Student Council and Other Leadership Opportunities
High school students may be involved in various leadership opportunities such as serving as a class officer or on the school's student council.  The student council (STUCO) hosts fellowship activities for the high school student body throughout the year.

Chapel Services
Each school division has a chapel service each week, usually on Wednesdays.  Chapel is not considered an extra curricular activity, as it is an integral part of the school's program, but it is listed here because there are opportunities for students of all ages to practice leadership by leading pledges, reciting Scripture memory verses, ministering in special music, and leading worship.