Since the General Church and Academy believe that a fruitful field of evangelization is through educating children of New Church parents, all students who have been baptized into the faith of the New Church are eligible for consideration. We accept baptism as a sign of faith on the part of the parents and, therefore, of their willingness to cooperate with the Academy in the instruction that is given in the Academy schools.

We recognize, however, that others are also deserving of consideration. What follows are the rationale, guidelines, and steps for admission of a student from a family who has had limited or no prior connection with the Academy or General Church organizations. 

The most critical issue is for families to understand the religious orientation of our school.  Because we believe deeply in General Church teachings, we try to organize our school in such a way that they are honored in word and deed: We teach them as the truth in our classes and expect those who attend to listen and question affirmatively.  We have established our principles of social life around them and particularly around those teachings which honor the bonds of marriage.  For example, our students are taught to have friendships with the opposite sex, but physical displays of romantic affection are not allowed in our school.  In our disciplinary actions, we try to deal with our students from Divinely revealed principles.  We have a sports program for the purpose of practicing the moral virtues which are critical to spiritual development.  We also require attendance at some of our church services, and students are required to attend a brief morning chapel service on a daily basis. 

The Academy and General Church believe deeply in religious freedom.  We do not want to force our beliefs on anyone, yet we also want to have the freedom to teach our students the things we believe are true without interference.  Parents sending students to our school must understand this.

We do not believe that it is good for students to be torn apart by conflicting beliefs in the school and the home.  If parents are uncomfortable with the religious teachings of the school, the student is caught between two sets of people, both of whom he or she respects and who represent conflicting beliefs on the deepest issues of human life.  We will not be party to such a harmful conflict on young, growing minds.

In consideration of all these things we have put the following guidelines and steps in place. In this way we hope to assure families that we are not in any way misleading them about the attitudes, beliefs, customs and expectations of the school. 

1. Family Tour and Religious Orientation

Interested families (at least one parent or guardian and the potential applicant) must meet with an Admissions Officer for a tour of the campus and overview of the programs.  If the family likes what they see and hear, and wish to continue the admission process, the parents or guardians must attend a religious orientation session.  An ordained minister from the Bryn Athyn Society of the General Church will lead the orientation process.  The Admissions department will not  review an application until the family has completed the orientation process.

Please contact the Rev. Chuck Blair for the next scheduled parent orientation.

2. Student Visit

We require a full-day visit so that the applicant can get to know us and become familiar with the school setting.

3. Meeting with the Principal or Other Administrator

The Principal and/or an Admissions Officer will meet with the family some time after the tour, orientation, and school visit.   In the dialogue, the Principal will emphasize the responsibilities of students who attend the Academy.  This gives the school and family a final opportunity to ask and answer any questions. 

4. Testing-

We ask the applicant to take the Iowa tests, a set of standardized evaluations that all our students take near the end of each school year.  (We will accept the PSAT, SAT, and ACTs in place of the Iowas, and we may also except other forms of standardized test scores.)  We are looking for applicants to score at the 60th percentile or higher on each section of the test.  Applicants scoring below this level will likely find our curriculum to be overly taxing.  (Our average student scores at approximately the 80th percentile.)  

5. Records and Recommendations

Before we can accept an applicant we will require three other pieces of information: a transcript from the current school; and a written recommendation from the applicant’s current English and Math teachers. (We are looking for a minimum of a B average.) 

Families must understand that the Academy is not a remedial school.  We are looking for  self-motivated students who are interested in a solid secular and uniquely Christian education.  Because we are a small private school with limited resources, we cannot support and therefore admit students with difficult emotional, motivational, and behavioral challenges.

Note: Preference for spaces is given to children of General Church members and Academy alumni/ae within the set Admissions timeline.  

Please join us for our Open Houses:

Sat. October 13th      10:00 AM – 12:00 PM*

Sat. December 6th     7:30 PM – 8:30 PM**

Sat. January 19th     2:00 PM – 4:00 PM*

Sat. April 12th           10:00 AM – 12:00 PM***

We warmly invite parents to tour our beautiful campus. 

Please contact the Rev. Chuck Blair to arrange a campus visit

or call 267-502-2539