Blue Ridge Christian Academy

Blue Ridge Christian Academy was a private college preparatory Christian school in Landrum, South Carolina. In 2013, the academy was featured in nationwide coverage for administering a creationist science quiz. The academy closed for the 2013-2014 school year due to lack of funding.

Blue Ridge Christian Academy
School logo
Address
424 Highway 101

Landrum
,
South Carolina
29653

United States
Coordinates35°6′N 82°20′W
Information
School typePrivate
Motto"Equipping students to impact the world for Christ"
DenominationNon-denominational
Established2004
Closed2013 (Lack of funding)
AdministratorDiana Baker
GradesPreschool-12 (as of 2012)
Campus size30 acres (120,000 m2)
Campus typeRural
Color(s)Blue, Green, Yellow
AthleticsLadies' Volleyball, Cross Country, Boys' Fall Soccer, Boys' and Girls' Basketball, Boys' and Girls' Spring Soccer
Athletics conferenceBlue Ridge Christian Conference
MascotWarrior
YearbookThe Chronicle
Websitehttp://www.brca.us/

The academy was founded by Jill and E.J. Bird in 2004, and governed by a board of directors. It was accredited by Association of Christian Schools International and had classes for students ranging from Pre-kindergarten to High School level.

Controversies

The school offered a Christ-centered education, where kids were intended to be "prepared to impact the world for Christ." In Spring 2013, it was reported that a 4th grade science quiz administered at the school promoted Young Earth creationism.[1][2][3] The correct answers to the quiz stated that the Earth is not billions of years old, that dinosaurs did not live millions of years ago, that God created dinosaurs on the 6th day and included several additional questions regarding Bible content.[1] Diana Baker, BRCA Administrator, stated that she did not feel anything wrong was done and that the teacher will not be disciplined.[2]

Ken Ham, President of Answers in Genesis, stated on his blog that the quiz was based on a DVD produced by his organization.[4]

Closure

Blue Ridge Christian Academy announced that it would not be open for the 2013-2014 school year due to lack of funding.[5] The school had sought $200,000 to remain open, but had only received $15,000 in donations. On August 8, 2013, a public sale was scheduled by the school to sell its curricula, books, teacher resources, office supplies, school supplies, toys and bulletin board materials. The school's furniture and computers were not included in the sale. The proceeds of the sale were to go towards paying its debts, which included two months of teachers' salaries.[6]

  • Parents and kids huddle together after Field Day to form the letters: BRCA

References
  1. Barbara; David P. Mikkelson (April 2013). "Remains to be Seen". Snopes. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. Funderburg, Greg (1 May 2013). "Upstate school's science quiz sparks controversy". FOX Carolina. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  3. Overton, William R. (5 January 1982). "McLean v. Arkansas Board of Education". McLean v. Arkansas. TalkOrigins Archive. Retrieved 2011-05-10.
  4. Ham, Ken (30 April 2013). "Around The World with Ken Ham: Atheists Lash Out at a Christian School". Retrieved 2 May 2013. The questions on the quiz were based on an Answers in Genesis DVD that was shown at the school.
  5. Klein, Rebecca (2013-08-29). "School That Gave Controversial Creationist Quiz Is Closing". HuffPost. Retrieved 2020-08-11.
  6. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2013-08-20. Retrieved 2013-08-29.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
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