Mission Statement

The mission of Brainerd Baptist School is to provide a high quality, comprehensive academic program in a loving Christian environment. The school is dedicated to the belief that young people need both strong educational and spiritual guidance to grow into adults who will be positive contributing influences in the community and world.
We realize that our parents have a choice for private education in the Chattanooga area.  It is truly our desire to "Partner With Our Parents For A Lifetime Of Achievement"

Our Beliefs:

• Student learning in a Christian environment is the chief priority of the school.
• All of our student’s needs should be developed to his or her potential academically, physically, socially, emotionally, and spiritually.
• An exceptional academic program which features small classes, a family-like atmosphere, and a strong foundation based on love of God and country should be provided for each student.
• Each student’s intellectual curiosity and critical thinking skills should be encouraged and stimulated.
• The curriculum should present clear goals with high expectations for student achievement through instructional strategies and learning activities.
• Students need to demonstrate their understanding of essential knowledge and skills, as well as be actively involved in solving problems and producing quality work.
• Character traits such as integrity, responsibility, kindness, diligence, and service to others should be emphasized across the curriculum.
• The commitment to continuous improvement is imperative if our school is going to enable our students to become confident, self-directed, lifelong learners.
  

 Brainerd Baptist School - A brief history

Eisenhower was president and Miller Bros. suits were selling for $29.95 when Fonza Swafford Miller Barkley started canvassing the Brainerd area for youngsters to attend the Brainerd Baptist Church Kindergarten.  “I drove up and down the neighborhood, and at every house that had a tricycle or a swing set outside.  I’d stop,” said Ms. Barkley who for more than 30 years taught and directed the Baptist kindergarten, one of the only few church-affiliated kindergartens in the Chattanooga area.  The state had no public-school kindergartens in 1953. 

In 1953, under the leadership of the pastor, Rev. Connie A Dabney, our kindergarten was organized under the guidance and direction of our dedicated director, Mrs. Willard (Fonza) Miller.  The kindergarten began in September 1953, with 53 children enrolled, including four and five year olds as well as a few three year olds and one 2 ½ year old.  The kindergarten was located in the Nursery Building, 2^nd floor, then moved to the ground floor (where it is now located).  When Fonza Miller retired, after having served 31 years as director, our kindergarten committee retired with her, leaving the leadership to Mrs. Mary Standard in 1985.

In early 1972, Brainerd Baptist Church established Brainerd Baptist School as a mission of the church.  The school was establsihed under the leadership of Dr. J. Ralph McIntyre, pastor of Brainerd Baptist Church.  In August, the School Board announced the appointment of four teachers and the principal for the 1972-73 school year.  Mrs. Lanier Cain was appointed principal and teacher of the fifth and sixth grades.  The first School Board of Brainerd Baptist School was led by Mr. Glenn Stophel, Chairman; Mr. Bill Cambron, Vice Chairman; Mr. John Steinman, Ex Officio; Mrs. Shirley Downs, Miss Ruby Duncan, Mrs. Fonza Miller, Mr. Harold Ashworth, Mr. Clifton Ward, Mr. Don Bowman, Secretary; Mr. Norman Willie, Ex Officio; and Dr. J. Ralph McIntyre, Ex Officio.
The school began on September 5, 1972 and offered classes in grades 1 – 6.  The school year began with an enrollment of approximately sixty students.  Although grades 1 – 6 began in 1972, there was already a kindergarten program in place since 1954. 

Brainerd Baptist continued to operate as a K-12 school until 1989.  Lack of high school enrollment forced the school to return to kindergarten through sixth grade, and the school continued that way until 1999. In 1999, Brainerd Baptist School expanded and started Brainerd Baptist Middle School.  The middle school was located in modular classrooms on the schools lower soccer field and consisted of 34 students in sixth and seventh grade.  In 2000,  a third building was added to house the eighth grade and enrollment grew to over 70 students. The Brainerd Baptist Middle School began to look for property to expand the school through twelth grade.  In the summer of 2001 property came available on Igou Gap Road and was purchased for the continued expansion of the middle and high school.  On October 4th, 2001, David Brainerd Christian School was born!  In their first year on the new campus, DBCS had grades six - nine.  The school continued to add a grade each year, having their first graduating class in 2006.

Currently, Brainerd Baptist School enrolls 301 students in pre-K3 through fifth grade. We have been accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools since 1987.  The school is also a member of Southern Association of Independent Schools. In the fall of 2008, BBS will become dually accredited by both SACS and SAIS.  Below are other facts about our school.