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PHILOSOPHY

Seventh-day Adventists recognize that God, the Creator and Sustainer of the universe, is the source of all knowledge and wisdom. We operate a global system of schools to ensure that our youth may receive a balanced, religious, intellectual, vocational, social, and physical education with God as the source of all moral values and truth.

Educational effort is directed toward self-understanding and the full development of all students’ abilities. A true knowledge of God, fellowship with Him in study and service, likeness to Him in character development is to be respectively the source, the means, and the aim of Seventh-day Adventist education.

Seventh-day Adventists believe that knowledge of God can never be derived by human reason alone. God has communicated His character and plans through divine revelation in the Bible, the writings of Ellen G. White and nature. Inspired by God, the Holy Scripture reveals His will for us. The church membership accepts the ministry of Ellen G. White as a special messenger to the Seventh-day Adventist church. In these respects Adventists accept divine revelation as the foundation of their philosophy of education. We further believe: “True education means more that the perusal of a certain course of study. It means more than a preparation for the life that now is . It has to do with the whole being, and with the whole period of existence possible to man, It is harmonious development of the physical, the mental, and the spiritual powers. It prepares the student for the joy of service in this world and for the higher joy of wider service in the world to come”. (Education p.13)

The Academy uses the guidelines of Biblical and Sprit of Prophecy injunctions in an academically competitive curriculum.

HISTORY

The history of this school is a story of how God has provided numerous blessings through struggles and endless sacrifice of the teachers and supporters of Baltimore Junior Academy.

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVE

The purpose of Baltimore Junior Academy is to provide an education that incorporates Christian values with a strong academic program. The curriculum is prepared and offered with the goal of providing students with a balanced program of intellectual, physical, religious and social training that will facilitate a growing relationship with God and the development of each student to his or her fullest potential as a responsible member of the church, the community, the country and the world.

As a school sponsored by the Seventh-day Adventist church, Baltimore Junior Academy supports the beliefs, standards, and ideals of its church. Each school day begins with devotion for students and teachers. Chapel services are held twice a month. Other assemblies are conducted at various times by pastors of Seventh-day Adventist churches, teachers, special guests and students.

Members of the Berea Temple Church (then known as the Third Seventh-day Adventist Church) along with Pastor P.G. Rogers saw the need for opening a school to provide Christian education to its constituents as well as members of the Baltimore community. In 1915, Baltimore Church School of the Third Seventh-day Adventist Church opened its doors on 1901 Druid Hill Ave. & Robert Street under the leadership of its first principal Gertrude Burgess. In 1927, the name changed to Baltimore Academy under the pastorate of Elder M.S. Banfield.  In the 1960’s “Junior” was added to its official name thus becoming BALTIMORE JUNIOR ACADEMY.  In 1975, Baltimore Junior Academy officially opened its doors at 3006 W. Cold Spring Lane.

Since its inception, BJA has educated approximately 12,000 students. Having been in eight different locations because of expansion, its current location has served many for the past 29 years.

Currently, BJA is home to 115 students. A typical school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:30 p.m. Each class begins with worship that is usually led out by the students in their individual classes. The school curriculum is organized by the North American Division and Columbia Union Conference’s education departments. Extra curricular activities that are offered by the school are basketball, karate, drama club, vocal choir, and sign language choir.

Many non-Adventists are drawn to the academy. The Adventist to non-Adventist ratio of students is 64 to 46 percent. In years past this has varied. When asked how non-Adventists are drawn to the school, many parents have told faculty members that it was what they saw outside of the school – “the demeanor of the students on the public transportation and on the playground.” Not being aware of their silent witness, current students have drawn non-Adventist clientele to the Academy by their behavior alone.