LEONARD GRAY / L’Observateur / August 14, 1998

BOUTTE – Boutte Christian Academy, affiliated with Boutte Assembly of God Church, yet a non-denominational Christian school, enters their 20th year of operation this fall, serving pre-school to eighth-graders.

Administrator Kimberly Babineaux is anticipating a record 300 enrollment as the new school term begins Aug. 17. The school is located at 13271 U.S.Highway 90, behind the church.

“We have high standards of entry,” Babineaux commented, and pointed out, “We don’t have an ‘elite’ clientele. We know what parents are sacrificingto send their children here.”Costs to send students to Boutte Christian Academy have also been kept down, so as to provide the most parents with the most options. “We try tokeep our rates as low as we can,” Babineaux said. “We’re here to serve ourcommunity. We never turn any student away.”Boutte Christian Academy has many new changes as the school year begins but the most important thing hasn’t changed at all – the Christian-based education founded on spirituality, discipline and hard work. Students whocomplete the program at BCA are mentally and spiritually prepared for anything which may confront them in the future.

“Most of our graduates test into honors programs in high school,” Babineaux noted of the state-approved curriculum.

Quoting from Psalms 22:6: “Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it.” With that as a beacon, BCAtakes seriously their responsibility to give their students the best possible education, producing graduates who are knowledgeable, sound of character and able to make decisions for themselves, based on Bible principles.

New at BCA this year are a new library, an expanded computer lab with computers in every grade 4-to-8 classroom, several more classrooms to keep up with the booming enrollment and block-scheduling in the junior- high grades.

Most of the school’s 40 teachers have been serving their students for many years. Principal Linda Davis and Day Care Supervisor Pam White havealso each served in their present capacities for at least 14 years.

“Discipline is not an issue,” she also pointed out, and noted the school’s high expectations of their students. “A Christian school also adds anurturing environment,” she said. “We establish a good foundation.”Along with the school’s influence, the dedicated parent-teacher organization remains active in the day-to-day operation of BCA.

The school, in teaching reading, uses the A-BEKA phonics system, Babineaux indicated. “That’s the best foundation in reading. I reallyrecommend this phonics reading program.”Plans for the upcoming semester is an open house in October in recognition of the school’s 20th year.

Boutte Christian features supervised field trips, daily Bible lessons and weekly chapel, small classes and certified Christian teachers. BCAwelcomes all students, regardless of race, religion, national or ethnic origin.