Brentwood Academy Community Life

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT TEAM

JASON MATHEWS

Dean of Admission and Community Engagement

Jason Mathews leads our Community Engagement Team and Admission Office, working alongside school leadership to spotlight successes, identify problems, and reinforce the mission and goals of Brentwood Academy. Jason’s strengths include building relationships, increasing student retention, and connecting current and new families at Brentwood Academy. Jason also implements annual surveys, ensuring the voices and needs of parents, students, and faculty at Brentwood Academy are heard.

FREDDIE SCOTT Director of Christian Life

As the Christian Life Director, Freddie Scott works with a team of faculty to support the spiritual development of students at Brentwood Academy. Students engage in weekly chapel, develop relationships through our advisory group program, read scripture each morning, and have the opportunity to take Bible classes. BA focuses on integrating Biblical teaching and worldviews into existing college preparatory curriculum. The faculty work alongside the Christian Life Department to help students better know God’s word and His heart.

Freddie Scott also works in cooperation with Jason Mathews in the Community Engagement Department. With Freddie’s unique skill set and training in conflict resolution, mental health aid, and leadership, he provides meaningful collaboration by bringing departments together for the benefit of the students.

TO THE GLORY OF GOD

LIFE AT BA

Campus life at BA is centered around strong relationships and close-knit community. Students, as well as parents, have multiple opportunities to get involved and support one another in extracurricular activities, service, and fellowship.

Students at Brentwood Academy will experience a Christcentered community committed to advancing knowledge and developing character as they discover who God made them to be, all in a nurturing and challenging environment.

“At Brentwood Academy, our children have been provided with opportunities to grow and be challenged, to explore their gifts, and to be a part of something greater than themselves. BA is more than a school, it is a community where your family will be known, valued, and seen. Taking advantage of the opportunities to invest in this community has been an invaluable gift to our family over the last five years.”

Darci Belville, Brentwood Academy Parent Association President

STUDENT LIFE

What is it like to be a Brentwood Academy student? The answer can be found on the faces of students engaged in all aspects of student life—learning both inside and outside the classrooms, visiting with friends in the hallways and around the campus, participating in athletic events as a team member or fan, sharing small and large group devotions and Bible study, or enjoying the varied fine arts opportunities.

BIG BROTHER/BIG SISTER PROGRAM

This student-led program exists to acclimate all new 6th and 7th grade students to Brentwood Academy and to guide them in the philosophy and atmosphere of the school. This group is open to all 11th and 12th grade students who want to take part. New 6th and 7th grade students are assigned a junior or a senior to serve as a Big Brother or Big Sister. The intention of this program is for our Big Brothers and Sisters to form families with their friends and their little Brothers and Sisters as a way to facilitate interaction and community prior to the start of school. The Office of Admission serves as advisors to the Big Brother/Big Sister Program.

GRADE BUDDY PROGRAM

The grade buddy program is designed to serve new 8th-12th graders in their transition to Brentwood Academy. Each new student is paired with a current BA student in his or her grade who serves on the Student Leadership or the Student Ambassador team.

ADVISORY PROGRAM

The Brentwood Academy advisory program is a dedicated time for students to work toward fostering meaningful relationships. Students and their advisors meet weekly in small groups with the intention of cultivating a sense of belonging, feeling of community, and connectedness to their school. BA aims for the advisory experience to produce opportunities for group bonding, faith building, and character development.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Brentwood Academy’s school counselor, Mrs. Alyssa Hall, works collaboratively with BA teachers, coaches, and administrators to provide emotional and social support to BA students and faculty. In addition, student and parent resources are available for BA families, providing a collective approach for meeting the needs of each whole student.

By providing proactive learning, we believe our students will enhance their ability to become resourceful, resilient young men and women when faced with the challenges of adolescence. The school counselor is available and ready to respond as student needs arise, and is committed and passionate about our BA students and families.

MEET WINSTON!

Walking through the school, you will likely see Mrs. Hall, accompanied by one of the most beloved members of the BA family – Winston! Winston joined BA in 2021 when he was matched as a facility dog to Brentwood Academy. Winston was trained specifically to be a part of the BA community and has a calming and loving presence that is a big asset on campus. Whether he is picking up trash during clean-up, giving people “hugs” in the hallways, providing comfort in a counseling session, or showing off his cool handshake, he puts a smile on everyone’s face!

STUDENT LEADERSHIP TEAM (SLT)

The Student Leadership Team (SLT) is an elected group of model students who act as liaisons between the student body and the leadership, internally supporting the mission and ministry of BA. Following the school’s triangle philosophy, the SLT focuses on building school spirit, developing student leaders, and fostering care, concern, and compassion for BA students, faculty, and staff.

STUDENT AMBASSADORS

The Student Ambassadors are a select group of students, embodying the ideals of Brentwood Academy and representing the institution as official hosts and hostesses to the community. The goal is to nurture strong relationships between prospective families, alumni, donors, and community members. This is accomplished through events and programming that foster opportunities for students to demonstrate support for the school. These students serve event needs of the entire campus under the direction of the Admission Office.

CHRISTIAN LIFE & SERVICE

Our approach to Christian Life is simple. Our goal is to make Jesus relevant in the lives of our students and to answer their questions and address common problems students face daily while making the Bible both integral and applicable.

First and foremost, we want every student to know the depth of God’s love for them, and to develop a Biblical worldview that empowers them to engage and transform the world around them to the glory of God.

DAILY SCRIPTURE READING

Each day at BA begins in the Word. We believe there’s no practice more important than saturating our minds with the truth of God’s Word. In the middle school, at the start of first block, each class reads from the Action Bible, with the goal of reading through the entire book during the school year. In the upper school, a daily scripture verse is read and discussed as first block begins. The scriptures chosen are intended to continue supporting topics discussed in weekly chapel. Our goal is to develop greater Biblical literacy so students can better understand who God says He is and who He calls them to be.

CHAPEL

We want every student to have the opportunity to experience God in an impactful way. Once a week our middle school and upper school students gather for separate chapels. Students experience engaging speakers, impactful and age-appropriate messages, and elements of corporate worship. The purpose of chapel is to bring the Word of God before students in a way that is applicable and practical for their lives.

SENIOR THEME VERSE RETREAT

One of our most important traditions at BA is the Senior Theme Verse Retreat, hosted by the Christian Life Department. Before each school year begins, the senior class gathers to spend time strengthening relationships and selecting the school-wide theme verse for the upcoming year. The chosen verse is memorized by all students, faculty and staff at BA. It is displayed on campus and serves as a guidepost for the entire school for that year.

SERVICE

During the Senior Theme Verse Retreat the class also selects a service partner for the coming year. We foster a close relationship with the selected partner organization throughout the year and focus our fundraising and service opportunities there.

Twice a year, BA participates in Joe Campbell Service Day, a day named in honor of a former BA faculty member. Students leave campus to serve in the community working alongside local non-profits and ministries. Middle school students also have the opportunity to participate in the Operation Christmas Child shoebox campaign through Samaritan’s Purse. Local service organizations visit campus to share a myriad of opportunities to serve, love, and support those in our own community. While no “service hours” are required for graduation, Brentwood Academy hopes to foster a deep love for people and a desire for our students to serve others.

TRAVEL OPPORTUNITIES

WINTERIM

For three days in January, the upper school takes a break from the normal school schedule in order to challenge students through various non-traditional, experiential programs called Winterim. These experiences can include international and domestic travel, along with local and on-campus experiences. Winterim provides opportunities to fulfill the school’s mission through exploration in academics, arts, outdoor activities, and athletics. Enrichment opportunities are also offered through cultural exchanges, community service, and internships.

MIDDLE SCHOOL GRADE-LEVEL TRIPS

Middle School students have a variety of opportunities to travel and have new experiences with their teachers and classmates. These are wonderful opportunities for students to deepen their relationships while creating lasting memories.

Available trips will be announced annually.

SENIOR TRIP

Brentwood Academy seniors take a grade-level trip to Destin, Florida in the final days of their senior year. They invite faculty members that have made an impact on their BA experience. It is a meaningful time of reflection and preparation for their college journey ahead.

PARENT OPPORTUNITIES

BAPA AND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

BRENTWOOD ACADEMY PARENTS ASSOCIATION

The BA Parents Association (BAPA) furthers the mission of Brentwood Academy by supporting academic and community-building programs through volunteerism and school events. Parents are encouraged to get involved in the life of the school with volunteer opportunities offered throughout the year.

Through fundraising efforts, BAPA provides financial support for “wish list” needs for teachers and coaches. The BAPA Advisory Board is comprised of parent volunteers who accept a three-year term to oversee assigned BAPA activities – including support for communitybuilding events, student retreats, dances, concessions, and Admission Days. BAPA also funds many activities that enrich the student experience, including Senior Breakfast, Homecoming activities, special occasion planning, and more. Parents automatically become members of BAPA when they enroll their child(ren) at Brentwood Academy.

BAPA also coordinates volunteers for a myriad of events and opportunities throughout the year. Many of these opportunities offer a chance to add our parents’ distinctive talents and personality to the school’s mission and ministry while serving families. If you’re looking for ways to get plugged in and connected to Brentwood Academy as a parent, BAPA is a great place to begin.

PARENT AMBASSADORS

The Parent Ambassadors program is an extension of BAPA and is comprised of current BA parents who are committed to advocating for Christian education, strengthening relationships, forming partnerships, and sharing their experience at Brentwood Academy. Parent Ambassadors are champions of BA and are dedicated to improving the quality of the Brentwood Academy experience for students and their families.

GRADE-LEVEL PARENTS

The BAPA board helps to further support BA’s mission by identifying and working with gradelevel parents. Each grade level has two to four grade-level parents. These parents serve as liaisons between the school and the families, acting as a primary point of contact for all families within that grade, communicating about important events, answering questions, and facilitating grade-level activities. They are integral to the success of our school, and their time and effort are greatly appreciated by the students, faculty, and other parents.

PARENT ED

We value the impact your parenting has in the lives of our students. As part of BA’s dedication to supporting our families, we want to provide educational content that contributes to your parent journey.

Parent Ed is a video series of experts speaking directly to BA parents as their audience, address ing a wide range of relevant topics to help develop each whole person.

MOMS BIBLE STUDIES

Each year, mothers of students at BA are given the opportunity to gather together to study the Bible and to enjoy fellowship with one another. All moms are welcome to attend. These groups are created for each grade level, and the experience includes teaching, small group discussion, and prayer time. There will also be opportunities for group service projects and other times of connection. This Bible study is a great way to connect with other Brentwood Academy moms while growing in your relationship with God.

BA DADS

Dads of our students are invited to join us weekly for the BA Dad’s Coffee Stop. On Friday mornings from 7:30 AM - 8:15 AM, the coffee stop is open to all dads. It is a great opportunity to connect with other fathers for a time of fellowship. Stay for the whole event, or just stop by to grab a cup of coffee after dropping off your student. BA Dads meet under the tent in the soccer field parking lot. In the case of inclement weather, the event is moved to the Fine Arts Center lobby.

CHRISTMAS IN BRENTWOOD

Christmas in Brentwood takes place on the first Sunday in December. This community-wide celebration is a festive way to ring in the Advent season. This free event features family-friendly Christmas activities and performances, culminating with the lighting of the BA Christmas Tree.

ENCOURAGER CAMPAIGN

Brentwood Academy has a much-loved tradition of inviting our BA Grandparents to write notes of encouragement to their students as they prepare for their first semester exams. Additionally, BA hosts a special day to invite and honor grandparents on campus. For students without grandparents, we encourage them to invite a special mentor or guest who plays a similar, meaningful role in their lives.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Brentwood Academy is active on a variety of social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn. We invite you to follow us and engage by sharing your memorable BA experiences!

“BA was a great experience because of the intentionality the school places on relationships and community, and that intentionality extends far past your graduation year. Some of my closest friends that I still talk to daily were friends that I made at Brentwood Academy. It’s been a fun experience to return to the school community with my kids in camps and for sporting events and see the same teachers that I had still teaching and interested in where life has taken my family.”

Elizabeh Webb, Class of 2006

Brentwood Academy

Academy

Brentwood Academy

Campus Tours Available Daily

Get the Brentwood Academy experience firsthand and see if our community is right for you and your family! Tours are available by appointment. Each tour is about an hour in length and is offered at 8:30 AM, 10:00 AM, and 12:30 PM on weekdays.

Admission Day

November 12, 2022 or February 4, 2023

Admission Day is a great opportunity for families to learn more about what BA is like from the students, parents, and faculty who know it best. Register online at brentwoodacademy.com/starthere.

Brentwood

Academy Office of Admission

219 Granny White Pike | Brentwood, TN | 37027 (615) 523-0611 | brentwoodacademy.com