As we look back on Berean Academy’s 77th year of operation, we are once again overwhelmed with thankfulness for the many ways God has provided in the past twelve months and all He has accomplished through the academy. The faculty and staff have continued to fulfill the vision of Berean Academy by “equipping students with an excellent academic foundation, knowledge of the Scriptures, and a Christ-centered, Bible-based worldview, which enables them to glorify God through Christ-like character and service.” We consider it a great joy to represent Jesus Christ to the students every day in this way.
The administration emphasized the theme of hard work during the 2022-2023 school year with our theme verse, Colossians 3:23: “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men” (NKJV). The students were reminded of this theme during chapels and when they saw Arleta Wiebe’s paintings of honey bees hard at work. They were also reminded when entering the library when they saw the phrase, “Even school work can be an act of worship.” Throughout the year, we encouraged students and staff to do their very best to please God, not men.
We praise the Lord for the enrollment of 337 students to start the 2022-2023 school year. This was an increase of 15 students from the previous year. We had 146 elementary students, 70 junior high students, and 121 senior high students. We thank the Lord for each student and family those numbers represent and the 52 dedicated staff that served them. We are also encouraged to see our enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year climb to 348 students.
On May 13, the 28 members of the Class of 2023 graduated from Berean Academy. The keynote speaker was Miss Megan Wiebe, a Berean secondary math teacher. Please continue to pray for our seniors as they seek to faithfully follow and serve the Lord in the years ahead.
School Improvements
1. A new security camera system was installed.
2. The track was resurfaced with new lines.
3. An irrigation system was installed for the soccer field.
4. A concrete pad was poured under the soccer field bleachers.
5. A new bell/intercom system was installed.
6. A row of new trees was planted south of the gravel parking lot.
7. A building pad for the new elementary expansion was completed over the summer.
This has been another very successful year for Berean’s academic, athletic, and fine arts programs. We are grateful to the Lord for the students, teachers/sponsors/coaches who work so hard to excel for His glory. It is impossible to outline everything that happens over the course of a year at Berean, but I have provided some highlights.
Academics
With the Terra Nova Achievement Test being phased out, this was our first year using the Iowa Basics Skills Test in a digital, online format. Our students tested well in grades 1-9 with the following scores: 70th percentile in Reading, 70th percentile in Math, and 76th percentile in Language Arts. In addition, the average ACT score of our graduating seniors was 23.8, well above the state average of 19.9.
Sports
The boys’ cross-country team excelled again this year, winning the 2A State Championship.
The girls’ basketball team had an outstanding year, culminating in a 2A State Championship.
The Berean Scholars Bowl team competed at state.
The Berean golf team also returned to the state meet.
The boys’ track team placed 6th out of 41 teams, and the girls’ team took 11th place out of 41 teams; our students won 13 medals (top 8 finishes);
Arts
A large cast of high school students performed Pilgrim, a stage play based on John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. The play, with its emphasis on deep spiritual truths, was a resounding success.
The band department earned a I rating at the KSHSAA Large Group State Festival and ten I ratings at the KSHSAA Small Ensemble & Solo State Festival. In addition, Tayana Nord and Macy Mitchell participated as members of the KSMEA State Honor Band.
Both HS and JH choirs received I ratings at their spring music contests. The choir department had three junior high students participate in the KMEA All-State Choir. In addition, Atiera Langenberg was in the All-State Treble Choir, and Kaitlyn Schanbacher and Kate Roseberry were in the All-State Mixed Choir.
Four secondary students earned 1st place with their art at the HOA League Art Show, and three more students earned 1st place with their woodworking at the HOA Industrial Arts Contest.
We were blessed to have 567 Berean friends and family join us in March for the annual Praise and Celebration Banquet. Our keynote speaker, Mr. Jeff Keaton, the founder and CEO of Renewanation, spoke powerfully about the need for Christian education given the cultural shift in our country. In addition, we honored Joni Nord (10), Sarah Meisinger (10), Jason Wine (20), and Terry Tilson (50) for their many years of faithful service at Berean Academy! This year’s P&C Banquet raised over $270,658 towards the FEG and Kingdom Building Funds.
As we enter our 78th year of providing a Christ-centered education to our students, we continue to seek the wisdom and guidance of God as we serve Him in this important ministry to our community. Thank you for your ongoing prayer and financial support of the work at Berean Academy.