COMMENTS FROM PARENTS OF BLACK FOREST ACADEMY GRADUATES
Country: Serbia
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Social needs,
academic needs – not able to meet in the location where we serve.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Gave great
opportunities for him to develop socially, given leadership opportunities,
great and
challenging academics, solid Bible teaching, allowing him to be the person God
created him
to be.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Enabled our son to have a great
high school experience that allowed him to grow in all aspects - physical, spiritual, intellectual, emotional
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Care
of the staff and teachers
Countries: Romania
and Germany
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Our daughter wanted to because she realized that the
American school system was better for her and a Christian school too.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
BFA
made her enjoy school again through which she discovered new strengths in her
life.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Through BFA the lives of two of our
girls were completely changed. One daughter ended up at Asbury College and the
other daughter also wants to attend a Christian college in the US (Huntington).
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
All
the staffs’ dedication, great organizational gifts, encouragement.
Country: Moldova
Why did your family decide to send your child to BFA?
We had reached the end of our home
schooling capacities. We needed a solid academic foundation and a strong
finish. We also needed a quality social environment for our daughters who were
living with us in an isolated situation. BFA has fulfilled all these needs with
excellence.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
The
entire program, academically and residentially has greatly exceeded our
expectations.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
It has given our daughters greater confidence in
themselves. It has brought out their strengths and corrected their weaknesses.
It has given them a well-rounded opportunity for development in many areas of
their lives.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
We have appreciated the broad range of course
selection and the fact that the school was able to give us credit for our home
school courses. We have appreciated the fairness and compassion of the faulty
and dorm staff. They’ve been willing to listen to the students’ opinions,
perspectives, and needs.
Country: Bulgaria
Why did your family decide to send your child to BFA?
Desperation! We wanted him to have
good preparation for university. I (mom) came to the school for the PBU extension
program and loved the place and people I met.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Very well! He has grown immensely in independence -
in cooperation – in organization – spiritually and in so many ways.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
It gave our son so much opportunity for academics,
sports, and friendships. It freed us to do the ministry God called us to do.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
The friendliness of the entire staff and teachers. I
never met a bad attitude in any dealings with them. The desire for discipleship
as a priority. *The staff has been tremendous! Our great thanks to God for
them!
Country: Mali,
Africa
Why did your family decide to send your child to BFA?
There was a war in Ivory Coast so
the school was forced to move to a new area in Senegal. The new area could not
take MKs from other missions. They would not guarantee our children a place.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
All three kids could be in the same school. They
have a relationship with God and values that have maintained.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
We have kids that have a heart towards ministry and
God. They are well prepared for university.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
The
quality of students. They are polite, intelligent, and Godly.
Country: Germany
Why did your family decide to send your child to BFA?
We like the ethos of BFA, the care
and support that the students get. BFA encourages students to give their best
and brings out their gifts and talents.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
We saw how our son developed and matured as a person
and how he took responsibility for himself and others.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
It was a very positive experience for all of us. It
also gave us the opportunity to stay in ministry.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
-
The support of the dorm parents and RA’s (HBR
dorm)
-
How the spiritual aspect of BFA shapes the
students
-
The holistic approach to education.
Country: Slovenia
Why did your family decide to send your child to BFA?
Our
daughter needed a social environment in which to learn that home school alone
could not provide.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Our daughter thrived in the dorm environment and
found a place in athletics. Her academic needs were met as well as the social
needs and desires. She was discipled spiritually and grew through small groups.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
We’ve been able to stay on the field in Slovenia
because of BFA. There is no high school in the place we serve, and our daughter
needed the “school” environment in order to survive. Our daughter blossomed at
BFA.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
The mentoring relationships have
been most valuable. The dorm life is a blessing. People are BFA’s greatest
asset.
Country: Slovakia
Why did your family decide to send your child to BFA?
As we weighed out the pros and cons
of boarding school, we knew that for our daughter’s needs we could entrust her
to the academic, social, and spiritual values BFA offered.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
In the primary areas mentioned above, BFA exceeded
our desires for our children. They were challenged, encouraged, and given very
abundant and creative outlets for the “Image-bearer” to be nurtured.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Recently one of our daughters thanked
us again for sending her to BFA. They’ve made lasting friendships (maybe a
spouse!) and, frankly, dorm parents took some of the “heat” that often
accompanies adolescence. We were enabled to focus on our ministry and can
honestly recommend BFA to our concerned colleagues who need to provide a good
educational option for their children.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Godly adults who reached out to our
children, to bridge those occasional gaps in crucial, critical moments of their
lives. BFA has many who keep their eyes and hearts open. God has so blessed our
kids through these loving and caring staff members. Keeping standards high,
while being “real” has meant much to us and our children. We’d heartily
recommend BFA to others.
Country: Germany
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Our son was going through dark years and the two
options in the German school system weren’t appropriate for him. We knew of the
encouragement and care he would get at BFA and were so thankful that 1) he was
willing to come and 2) he got accepted!
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
The education is excellent AND motivating (he went
from failing grades to NHS!!); the teachers truly care for the kids and are for
them, the Lord used this atmosphere and the truth taught and lived to win our
son back to Himself.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
I have often joked about wanting to be a dorm mom or
choir pianist or do something here… maybe someday. It’s a place where my heart
is encouraged, and having our child so well cared for helps since we’re so far
away.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
All of the above! Our son has grown
in character, in his relationship to Jesus, he’s had more role-models than just
his dad and myself (in church planting the pickins are slim). I know BFA isn’t
heaven, but it’s a place where kids can mature and grow in Christ if they choose
to do so. His richest blessings to all who serve those great MKs!
Country: Burkina
Faso, West Africa
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Excellent reputation and wide opportunities for our
three sons during their Junior and Senior years of high school.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
We
were thankful for the excellent dorm experience and academic excellence for our
sons.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
BFA has met our sons’ need for college prep, SAT/ACT
exams, athletics, etc. It has freed us up for ministry in B.F.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
The
caring people and excellent academic excellence.
Country:
Congo/Switzerland
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We have always thought of the spiritual impact
before deciding where to send our children and BFA is the right place for this.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Our son got baptized at BFA and did
well academically as well. Two of our sons received the Lord at BFA.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
BFA has instored the spirit of leadership and
ministry in our son. BFA has helped us to focus on our ministry without
worrying about our son.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Love, care
give to our son.
Country:
Switzerland
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
The
public schools were not able to provide an education our kids deserved.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
The commitment to academic
excellence and the loving care for each student, coupled with a lot of fun and
diversity.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Seeing
our kids enjoy deep friendships in a foreign field, gave us much joy and
confidence.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Christ
centered quality education in the mission field we are called to serve.
Country: France
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We had newly arrived in France. Our
son spoke no French and was entering 11th grade. We had no viable
school option in Lyon where we were living. BFA was our only option for him to
complete high school.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
BFA not only met our needs but far
surpassed our expectations. My wife and I share our role as European
Coordinators for our organization. We travel constantly. We could not have been
able to carry out our ministerial duties without the possibility of our son
being at BFA. Our son has treasured his time at BFA.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Our son has grown spiritually, emotionally,
academically while at BFA. His athletic abilities have greatly improved. He is
leaving BFA with much greater maturity, a passion for God, and is well prepared
to transition to University studies. BFA provided exactly what he needed at
this stage in his life.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
We appreciate the DEDICATED staff at all levels.
When faced with issues regarding discipline, BFA responded with firmness bathed
in grace, allowing our son to face painful consequences but given a second
chance. As parents, this response reflected the character of BFA, standing for
truth extending forgiveness, and accompanying our son on his pursuit of
following Christ. We are grateful beyond words for all that BFA has done for
our son. THANK YOU!!
Country: Ukraine
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We allowed our daughter to go to BFA after eight
years of national schools. We felt that she needed to get in touch with her
American roots, to be able to function well with English as her academic mother
tongue, and to learn how to function in a setting where the values in society
are congruent with her parents’ values.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Additionally, we hoped that BFA
would be the bridge that our daughter could use to cross over from national
schools in Ukraine to University in America. BFA has met or exceeded our
expectations.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
BFA has given our daughter the
ideal situation to enable her to grow physically, emotionally, and spiritually
during the difficult teenage years. We, her parents, have been able to continue
in ministry unhindered by over-concern for our daughter’s well-being and with
the knowledge that she is in the best place she could be….the place which God
had prepared for her in this stage of her life.
Country: Poland
(US Military)
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
It was by far our #1 choice when
our daughters needed to be boarded during our assignment to Poland.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
They (BFA) exceeded the spiritual and academic
expectations for our daughters. They also provided an amazing professional and
emotional support network to see our daughters through a difficult transition
in Fall 2007.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
I can’t express adequately….but our children are
confident, well-balanced and strong Christians who will meet future challenges
– Bfa has “stoked” the fire of Christ in the hearts!!!
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Loving, caring, support for All
children. And administratively “top-notch” and flexible –- it made our jobs as
parents as easy as possible.
Country: France
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
I have got some information about BFA when I was in
USA as a research scholar from a former teacher of BFA.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
I’m really satisfied with school
curriculum and school policy. Teachers are very dedicated and give their all
effort to students.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
My
daughter has grown up with balanced of world view.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Encouragement
during hardship.
Country: Germany
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We
arrived on staff in 2002 and Bryce entered 6th grade at Sitzenkirch.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
After leaving a quality school, we
were thankful to find that BFA had a strong academic environment as well as a
good “family” feel.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
We have seen our son grow and mature both
spiritually and emotionally over his high school years.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Our son profited greatly from his
small group.
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
After having completed an analysis of schools from
Milan to Dublin, we concluded that BFA offered the best combination of
academic, social, and spiritual development for our student at a very reasonable
cost.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
All of our expectations were
exceeded and we witnessed the blossoming of our child in every sphere of life.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
BFA’s greatest impact has been in success in seeing
and taking our child’s potential and developing it. It has also provided a
broad third culture experience and support for our child and her friends.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
-
Relationships, Spiritual Emphasis
-
Committed teachers and staff
-
The extra curricular programs
-
The fine arts program
-
Positive academic in life context
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
The
Christian ethos, Christian friends, English speaking
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Our daughter had a wonderful experience here. She
absolutely loved the Art department. Those teachers so positively influenced
her life and future career goals and aspirations. She loved the small group she
was a part of and she loved her World Views class. I know that BFA has had a
far-reaching impact on her life and given her life long friends and mentors.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Our oldest attended BFA as a boarding student and
our youngest child plans to graduate from here. We have BFA as a family
experience now.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
I’ve appreciated the teachers, the open campus (for
parents too now that we’re moved here). There is a tireless devotion to the
kids (almost to a fault).
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We wanted a quality Christian education in English
for our daughter. We already knew that BFA was a quality school because her
older siblings attended here.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
It allowed us to continue our
ministry knowing that our daughter was receiving an excellent education in a
Christian environment.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Our
daughter grew as a believer through her interaction with faculty, staff, and
fellow students.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Our daughter’s small group leader was superb. She
went out of her way to help and befriend her. The Christian life lived out at
BFA is superior to what our other children discovered while attending Christian
colleges in the USA.
Country: Hungary
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
There
were no other Christian schools in Europe with dorm accommodations.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Beyond
expectations. It has been excellent for our child.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
It
has impacted us all very positively.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Our
daughter has matured and grown into a lovely lady.
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Moved
here with IMB for regional leadership work.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Personal
care; teachers truly care for student. Spiritual growth is high value.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Spiritual
growth, world view, friendships
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Spiritual
formation, academics
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We had home schooled both of our children and felt
they needed a couple years of school experience before returning to the States
and starting college. We wanted them to also have experience growing socially
with their peers.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
We are very pleased with both our
children’s experience at BFA, both have matured through this experience. We were
unsure at first what to expect but feel that BFA definitely met our
expectations and even more.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Both our children loved it and have grown through
this experience. They have become more independent, learned good study habits,
and organizational skills. Sending our children to BFA kept us on the mission
field longer. We had considered terminating before when our daughter started
high school but were able to stay in Italy.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
We have been so blessed to see how much each staff
member of BFA truly care about each student. The dorm parents and RAs take
their role seriously and really show love to each of the dorm students. It is
just a great community to be in!
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Our daughter had needs with slow
processing which the Discovery program could address. Also, the international
school in our capital city would have been too difficult. The spiritual emphasis
here is what we wanted for our daughter.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Our
expectations were far exceeded! Our daughter’s needs were fully met.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Given us a great appreciation for positive
relationships and fellowship. Reinforced our belief and faith in scripture and
God’s faithfulness.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Positive
encouraging atmosphere. Sports programs. Small groups. Discovery program.
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
We wanted the combination of good academics with
strong spiritual life. Two visits and info from other parents of students and
of grads filled in the details.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
1. there
were good academics (teachers syllabus and tests (assignments) that prepared
her well for US college (PTL for your teachers and their interest in the
students)
2. She
grew tremendously in her faith, both the content/understanding as well as the
experience and practice. (PTL for the whole staff!)
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
We have seen tremendous growth in our daughter
during her two years here. This has given us confidence about her readiness for
college and life in the USA while we continue to serve in overseas missions.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
The
head and heart balanced approach to Christian life and faith modeled and
exemplified by the entire staff. Christ is a passion and purpose that BFA takes
seriously.
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Educational
options were limited and poor.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
You
delivered a quality education and demonstrated incarnate theology.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
He
has grown in his faith and grown in his skills to live out his faith from his
heart.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Understanding
cross-cultural kids. Redemptive ministry. Environments of grace not law.
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
Highly recommended by our fellow workers with the
IMB. Our daughter graduated from BFA in 2007. We have three more children to
follow her and our son’s path!
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
In every way I’ve seen our son grow
these past two years. Spiritually in his small group I’ve seen huge steps.
Leading worship with his chapel band during chapel worship. Singing in the
choir also (something he hasn’t done since he was 9 at our last church that we
served Stateside). Taking leadership roles on in his dorm. Taking care of some
middle school boys in his dorm (French connection) Being a leader on his soccer
team et. Growth in every area!
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
My three younger children are counting the days till
they’ll be “allowed” to come. Mom and dad see the “nest” emptying too quickly.
Just knowing that our children are being encouraged/challenged in every aspect
of life lets us concentrate more on our ministry. This institution has also
helped our kids put one foot out the door in preparation for leaving the
continent and heading to the States for college. This experience has made them
so much more confident in life! Praise God!
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
The faithful obedient servants of
the Lord who “love” on our children is what makes this “sacred” place so
special!
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
-
Good balanced academic program that we did not
have in the field.
-
Good boarding possibilities
-
Many positive words from our older son.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
- We appreciate fully for balanced
education program in BFA; physically, emotionally, and
spiritually.
- We would like to ask you to give
additional attention to specific test schedules such as SAT
tests while you plan senior trip or class parties especially for Juniors
and seniors.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
With good academic care and personal and emotional
care at dorm. We have been able to focus on ministries in the mission field.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Parental devotion and loving care
of BFA staff. You have provided many good memories to our boys.
Country: Not Given
Why did your family decide to send your children to BFA?
BFA is an English language High School with Christian
foundations and international involvement. The attitude of teachers is to help
students learn and grow academically, socially, and spiritually.
How did BFA meet your needs and/or expectations for your
child?
Provided
a caring, supporting environment.
How has BFA impacted your child, family, and ministry?
Helped
my child to grow well and strongly. Good healthy environment.
What have you appreciated most about BFA?
Sporting opportunities – mentoring
– encouragement the child has received.
