Fort Bend Christian Academy
Location
Map
Sugar Land, Texas

United States
Coordinates29°37′48″N 95°36′55″W / 29.6301°N 95.6152°W / 29.6301; -95.6152
Information
Former namesSugar Creek Baptist Church School (SCBCS)
Fort Bend Baptist Academy (FBBA)
TypePrivate, co-educational, non-profit
Mottobelieve. achieve. lead.
Denominationnon-denominational Christian
OpenedSeptember 1987 (1987-09)
Head of schoolJoshua Gettys[1]
GradesPK-12
GenderCo-educational
Enrollment860
Student to teacher ratio10:1[2]
Color(s)  Green
  White
  Gold
Athletics conferenceTAPPS 5A
MascotEagles
NicknameFBCA
RivalsLutheran South Academy
AccreditationSouthern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)
WebsiteFort Bend Christian Academy

Fort Bend Christian Academy (FBCA) is a private PK-12 Christian school with two campuses in Sugar Land, Texas in the Houston metropolitan area.[3] With two campuses, the North Campus houses upper school (9th - 12th Grade) while the South Campus houses lower school (PreK - 4th Grade) and middle school (5th - 8th Grade).[4] FBCA pursues a mission "to equip students to thrive spiritually, academically, socially, emotionally, and physically" through weekly chapel, maintaining a 10:1 student-to-teacher ratio in the upper school and providing a wide variety of honors and AP courses. With 82%[2] of students participating in athletics, FBCA demonstrates a strong sports culture and combined with a competitive Fine Arts program the school has achieved a combined 26 Fine Arts and Athletic State Championships. Recognized as the "Best Private School" in Fort Bend County,[5] and through unique traditions and opportunities such as Eagle Week, FBCA is dedicated to holistic education for future leaders.

Academics

Upper School

All Upper School FBCA students graduate from either the recommended or distinguished degree program, with 100% of graduates pursuing post-secondary education or military service.[6] The average class size in FBCA's Upper School is 14 students, allowing for significant educational benefits.[7] Course offerings include a variety of unique honors and Advanced Placement-level courses, fostering academic rigor and enabling students to excel. Drawing on the diverse community of the surrounding area, the Upper School boasts 40% racial diversity.[6]

FBCA alumni have included National Merit Finalists,[8][2] Semifinalists[9][10] and Commended Scholars[11][12] and have gone on to study at a variety of Ivy League schools including Brown University,[13] Columbia University,[14] Cornell University,[15] and Princeton University[16] as well as elite institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology,[17] Stanford University,[18] The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, Baylor University, Rice University and the University of California, Berkeley.

Lower and Middle School

Serving as a foundation for a college-preparatory education, the Lower School curriculum combines a "traditional academic program rich in mathematics, science, literature and social studies with a diverse offering of courses in Spanish, computers, music, art, science and physical education."[19]

In 2020, a STEAM Lab was opened for the Lower and Middle School[20] focused on Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics. Students engage in STEAM enrichment classes beginning in PreK, developing skills to code and program robots, learn about science fundamentals such as states of matter, and work on engineering projects designed to teach and engage students on fundamental engineering and physics principles.

In Middle School, "the traditional academic program offers a rich selection of classes within arts, world languages, technology, creative writing and leadership opportunities. Students participate in weekly chapel and dive deeper into daily Bible classes"[19] designed to develop servant leaders.

Students from the Lower and Middle Schools have a variety of opportunities to compete in various academic competitions including the Private School Interscholastic Association (PSIA) state competition, where FBCA has repeatedly excelled.[21]

Athletics

Fort Bend Christian Academy sports teams are known as the Eagles; their colors are green and white with gold accent. They compete as a TAPPS Division II/5A[22] school with 26 varsity and junior varsity upper school athletics teams. Multiple sports are offered in each sports season, including cheerleading, dance team, cross country, football, and volleyball in the fall; basketball, cheerleading, dance team, soccer, and swimming in the winter; and baseball, golf, softball, tennis, track and field in the spring.[23]

Recently named "Best Private School" in Fort Bend County,[5][2] FBCA offers students opportunities to play multiple sports at a competitive level with a substantial 82%[2] of students participating in competitive sports annually. The objective of the FBCA athletic department is to "glorify God while developing student athletes and mentoring them in blending a competitive spirit in the athletic arena while attaining excellence in their spiritual lives, academic endeavors, and social responsibilities."[24]

On February 11, 2019, FBCA named world-record setter Deon Minor Head Track and Field coach.[25]

On February 15, 2019, FBCA named former University of Notre Dame and former NFL player Jordan Black as head football coach.[26][27] Coach Black has since completed his Master of Theology from Houston Baptist University in 2021 and was named Private School Coach of the Year in 2022 by the Touchdown Club of Houston.[28]

On July 19, 2023, FBCA named former Rice University Quarterback and NFL Wide Receiver Bert Emanuel as the new director of athletics.[29]

Notable Athletic Achievements

With a combined 26 Fine Art and Athletic State Championships, FBCA has won numerous athletic awards including most recently:

Fine Arts

Fort Bend Christian Academy offers a comprehensive fine arts program that caters to students across different grade levels, starting from lower school enrichment classes in music and art, which gradually expand to include band and theatre opportunities during middle school.[44]

At the upper school level, the visual arts program provides a diverse range of courses in the visual and performing arts and media. With an impressive selection of more than 20 Honors and AP-level art options, students have ample opportunities to explore and develop their artistic interests. The course offerings encompass various disciplines, such as "choral music, orchestra and band, drumline, pep band, painting and drawing, 2D and 3D art, printmaking and textiles, ceramics, sculpture, photography, speech, theatre, [and] video production".[44]

In the performing arts, students have the opportunity to perform in multiple school plays and musicals per year including student-directed musicals in the advanced Production Theatre class. Past performances have included Godspell JR, Beauty and the Beast,The Addams Family, Matilda, and The Sound of Music. Additionally, middle school and upper school praise teams lead weekly chapel/worship every Wednesday morning. Furthermore, the FBCA Theatre and ASL departments have worked together on a number of plays and musicals in order to present performances for the hearing-impaired community including The Taste of Sunrise[45] and Godspell JR.[46]

Throughout the academic year, students actively participate in TAPPS competitions and various performances, showcasing their talents and skills acquired through the fine arts program. This participation allows students to further enrich their artistic growth and gain valuable experiences in a competitive and collaborative setting.

Notable Fine Arts Achievements

FBCA has built an immensely strong visual arts program with 10 TAPPS State Championships in the visual arts including a wide variety of visual art mediums including "drawing - black & white & color, communication design, computer rendered art, painting, printmaking, 2D mixed media, photography black & white & color, sculpture, 2D relief, fashion design, textile arts, applied/industrial design, pottery, ceramics, senior portfolio, art history, on-site drawing seek and sketch - black and white & color, and short film (narrative, documentary, animation)."[47]

The Upper School Production Theatre troupe was honored with a JTF Outstanding Production award for their performance of Godspell JR[48][46] on their first trip to JTF Atlanta, an annual theatre festival with almost 6,500 attendees and 125 troupes and was later featured by KHOU.[49] Additionally, the theatre department has won District Champion, Best Actor, and Best Actress on multiple occasions.

Notable Visual Arts Achievements

Notable Performing Arts Achievements

Notable Other Arts Achievements

Foreign Language

The Upper School offers a variety of foreign language options including Spanish I-IV and ASL I-V. FBCA has a robust American Sign Language (ASL) program that enriches the community through student performances,[45] works with the theatre department to incorporate ASL into musicals,[46][57] and even incorporates machine translation of sign languages using SignAll technology to allow students to "practice, learn, and get immediate feedback on their American Sign Language skills in real time."[63]

Traditions

FBCA encourages a variety of traditions to "encourage participation, build community and provide families with fond memories of their time spent on campus."[64] These traditions range from more common activities such as Homecoming and Rodeo Day to unique opportunities to build community such as:

History

Map
[Interactive fullscreen map + nearby articles]
Campuses in Sugar Land

The school first opened in September 1987, with seven kindergarten students, as Sugar Creek Baptist Church School (SCBCS). The school, on the property of Sugar Creek Baptist Church, had one teacher in its initial year, and 1988 it had 14 students with first grade included. The school moved to the property of the First Baptist Church of Sugar Land and changed its name to Fort Bend Baptist Academy (FBBA) in Summer 1992.[8] At the time of the move the school became non-denominational and it was no longer affiliated and no longer received support from the church. The word "Baptist" remained in its name even though it became a non-denominational school with no support from any particular denomination.[4]

The 7th and 8th grades opened in the 1993–1994 school year.[8] In the following year the FBBA's high school division opened.[4]

Its current name (Fort Bend Christian Academy) was adopted in the summer of 2011.[8] The board adopted a name indicating the school's non-denominational status in order to compete with area private schools and increase enrollment. The school mascot, colors, and scripture verse remained the same. The school hired a marketing company to establish a new brand along with the new name.[4]

Campus & Location

Located in the diverse and fourth fastest-growing county in USA, Fort Bend County,[66] FBCA facilities are adjacent to one another across the large 35-acre campus with multiple facilities including the South Campus, North Campus, 7,000 sq. ft. Visual Arts Pavilion, baseball stadium, athletic complex, field house, track, soccer field, weight room, training facility, and football field with new shock pad system, cooler infill, and artificial turf surface.[67][68]

The campus consists of three main facilities:

North Campus (Upper School)

1250 Seventh Street

Sugar Land, TX 77478

South Campus (Lower/Middle School)

1201 Lakeview Drive

Sugar Land, TX 77478

Athletic Complex

1207 Seventh Street

Sugar Land, TX 77478

References

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  2. ^ a b c d e "FBCA Admissions Brochure by FBCA Communications - Issuu". issuu.com. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  3. ^ Home. Fort Bend Christian Academy. Retrieved on January 4, 2017. "North Campus | 1250 Seventh Street, Sugar Land, TX 77478 South Campus | 1201 Lakeview, Sugar Land, TX 77478"
  4. ^ a b c d Stottlemyer, Cory (2011-06-22). "What's in a name: Fort Bend Baptist Academy now Fort Bend Christian Academy". Houston Chronicle. Sugar Land Sun. Retrieved 2017-01-05.
  5. ^ a b Womack, Justin (2023-08-01). "2023 Best Of Fort Bend County Readers' Choice Winners". Living Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  6. ^ a b "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Upper School". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  7. ^ Berger, Eric (August 29, 2022). "Does Your Child's Class Size Matter?". U.S. News & World Report.
  8. ^ a b c d "History." Fort Bend Christian Academy. Retrieved on January 4, 2017.
  9. ^ "Congratulations to the Two FBCA Semifinalists in the 2023 National Merit Scholarship Program". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  10. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Senior Kelsey Brown named National Merit Semifinalist". fbindependent.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  11. ^ Menslage, Joseph (2021-10-28). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Seniors Named National Merit Commended Scholars". Katy Christian Magazine. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  12. ^ Birch, Sheryl (2020-10-06). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Seniors Named National Merit Commended Scholars". The Katy News. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  13. ^ Kuhlmann, Landan (2022-08-14). "HS Sports roundup: FBCA two-sport standout commits to Brown". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  15. ^ a b "Athlete Signs to Play Basketball at Ivy League School". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  17. ^ "Meet the Class of 2019 Val & Sal". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-04-23. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  21. ^ "FBCA Students Have a Great Showing at PSIA State Competition". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-05-24. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  25. ^ "World Record Setter Deon Minor Named Head Track and Field Coach". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-02-11. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  32. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Track Wins TAPPS 5A State Championship | Fort Bend Focus Magazine". Retrieved 2023-08-04.
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  34. ^ "STACKED: Concordia Lutheran's Harless commits to DBU ahead of ensuing season - VYPE". www.vype.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  37. ^ Marrion, Jack (December 6, 2021). "State champion Fort Bend Christian earns all-state honors". Houston Chronicle.
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  40. ^ Marrion, Jack (April 16, 2019). "Fort Bend Christian captures TAPPS girls state tennis title".
  41. ^ "Cheer Earns State Championship Title". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2019-01-14. Retrieved 2023-08-09.
  42. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Softball Wins Third State Championship in a Row". fbindependent.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  45. ^ a b Kuhlmann, Landan (2021-05-11). "Fort Bend Christian Academy hosting shadow play for hearing-impaired community". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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  47. ^ "FBCA Visual Arts Program Wins Tenth TAPPS 5A Art State Championship". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-05-17. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
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  50. ^ "2023 5A Art Results to Post - Google Drive". docs.google.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  51. ^ "Art 2023 | TAPPS". Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  52. ^ "2023 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo Art Competition Recognizes 25 FBCA Students". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2023-01-26. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  53. ^ Staff reports (2023-02-16). "FBCA student Joana Liu named 'Top Young Artist' at Houston Rodeo". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
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  55. ^ "Art Awards 2019-2020 | TAPPS". Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  56. ^ Vype, Fort Bend Christian Academy (2020-08-05). "FBCA Magazine Feature: A life in the Arts". KPRC. Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  57. ^ a b Staff reports (2023-02-01). "Fort Bend Christian Academy performers take home Outstanding Performance Award". Fort Bend Star. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  58. ^ a b thekatynews (2019-12-20). "Fort Bend Christian Academy Sweeps Top Awards at District TAPPS One-Act Play Competition Again". The Katy News. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  59. ^ Staff Report (Jan 21, 2020). "Fort Bend Christian Academy sweeps top district TAPPS awards". Houston Chronicle.
  60. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Theatre Department's Historic State Win | Fort Bend Focus Magazine". Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  61. ^ "FBCA Students Represented at TPSMEA Southern Region Honor Choir". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2022-11-17. Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  62. ^ "Meet Kolton Kaminski | Fort Bend Focus Magazine". Retrieved 2023-08-06.
  63. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy American Sign Language Program Pilots New Technology | Fort Bend Focus Magazine". Retrieved 2023-08-08.
  64. ^ a b c "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Traditions". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  65. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy | A Private Christian school in Sugar Land, Texas Student Leadership". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  66. ^ Grieder, Erica (Dec 2, 2022). "Fort Bend County is becoming an economic powerhouse. Does it even need Houston?".
  67. ^ "Mission, History, Accreditations". www.fortbendchristian.org. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
  68. ^ "Fort Bend Christian Academy Installs State-of-the-Art Football Field". Fort Bend Christian Academy. 2020-07-15. Retrieved 2023-08-05.

External links

Sugar Land, Texas
Education in Fort Bend County, Texas
Private schools in the Houston metropolitan area
Religion in the Houston area
Houston Area Independent Schools
TAPPS 5A (2022-2024)
Categories