Mt. Bethel Christian Academy: First and Only Faith-Based K-12 School in East Cobb
As the freshmen Class of 2018 walked through the doors on August 7, 2014, Mt. Bethel Christian Academy became the first and only faith-based, K-12 independent school in East Cobb. The school’s expansion from a K-8 was made possible through the acquisition of a second campus, 33 acres near the corner of Post Oak Tritt Road and Holly Springs Road. The site had been owned by the Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta, which had operated it as a preschool and athletic recreation facility for several decades. Though nearly “ready made” for a school, aesthetic and functional renovations to the existing facilities are underway and will continue through late winter. The addition of the upper school is the final stage of a plan adopted nearly two decades ago. Mt. Bethel Christian Academy was founded in 1998 by Mt. Bethel United Methodist Church, a mainstay of the East Cobb community since 1840. Dr. Randy Mickler and founder Darren DeVore envisioned a Christ-centered, college-preparatory K-12 school on Mt. Bethel’s existing 44-acre campus on Lower Roswell Road. In its first sixteen years, Mt. Bethel Christian grew from a starting class of twenty-five kindergartners to 560 students in grades K-8th. And now, with the addition of an Upper School campus serving grades 9-12, the school is poised to grow further still. Enrollment growth at the Upper School is planned in two phases. Phase One, using renovated existing facilities, will allow for a total of 180 students. Phase Two, which will require the construction of new classroom space, will push enrollment to a maximum of 450 students - approximately 110 per grade level. College-preparatory in it’s approach, Mt. Bethel’s Upper 18 October 2014
School curriculum is designed to challenge students with honors and AP courses offered in all core subjects. Students are guided through the rigorous curriculum by expert teachers. The founding faculty of the Upper School are deeply experienced, certified educators who welcome the opportunity to form deep, impactful relationships with students. For students interested in athletics, the new Upper School campus abounds with opportunity. The expansive facilities include tennis courts, swimming pool, cross country course, indoor and outdoor gymnasiums, fully equipped fitness center, baseball field, and activity field. In addition, the campus features a two-acre pond, which will be used for recreation as well as experiential learning as it is incorporated into the science curriculum. Asked about the distinctives of the school, Head of School, Jim Callis, replies, “Over the course of a high school career, the typical student will spend nearly 5,000 hours in direct contact with teachers and coaches. Outside of their parents, these relationships may well be the most important in a student’s life. Mt. Bethel faculty take seriously their responsibility to be Godly role models for students who are being prepared academically, physically and spiritually to leave home, move on to success in college, career and community.” Campus tours are available and applications for 2015 enrollment are now being accepted for grades K-8 at the Main Campus and 9th and 10th grade at the North Campus. For more information, visit www.mtbethelchristian.org or call Jackie Grasty, Director of Admission, at 770-971-0245.
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