A Badge with Purpose
Bethany Christian School opened its doors in the fall of 1969 with a clear mission: to provide a distinctly Christian education. In 1985, when Michael W. Harding became pastor of First Baptist Church of Troy, he appointed Juan Moreno as high school principal and charged him with cultivating a culture of excellence in every area of the school. From this vision emerged a new school crest—a shield bolstered by two crossed swords—symbolizing vigilant defense of the Truth and bold engagement in the causes we hold dear. Within the shield are four icons that represent the pillars of the student experience at BCS.
The cross above the open Bible proclaims our unwavering faith in the LORD. Since our founding, Bethany Christian School has been unapologetically Christian. We affirm one eternal God who exists in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—and we uphold the Bible as the inspired and authoritative Word of God. We believe that Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man; that He lived a sinless life, died as a substitute for sinners, rose bodily from the grave, and will return to establish His kingdom. Though humanity was created in God’s image, all have fallen into sin and cannot earn salvation. Redemption is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone. We affirm that God has prepared heaven for the redeemed and eternal condemnation for the unregenerate. We recognize the central role of the church in this present age and the obligation of all believers to uphold sound doctrine and pursue holy, separated lives.
The lamp resting upon the book of knowledge represents our commitment to academic excellence. While we are Christians first, we are also a comprehensive kindergarten through twelfth-grade institution dedicated to intellectual development. Bethany Christian School is one of only ten schools nationwide to be accredited by the American Association of Christian Schools while also receiving the additional honors of merit and distinction—designations reserved for institutions demonstrating the highest standards in academics and overall programming. At BCS, our greatest asset is our faculty. Each teacher is a trained Christian educator who combines subject-matter expertise with a genuine love for teaching. Through a carefully developed Christian curriculum and dedicated instruction, our graduates are not only admitted to respected colleges and universities but also thrive in their undergraduate studies.
The standing phorminx lyre symbolizes our dedication to the arts. Bethany Christian School is widely recognized for its strong music program, with the majority of students participating in band, choir, or orchestra—many in more than one ensemble. In partnership with the First Baptist Music Academy, students may also pursue private instruction under accomplished music faculty. Beyond music, we encourage growth in the visual arts through both classroom instruction and supplemental private lessons. Drama also plays a vital role in campus life. Our biennial school productions are full-scale theatrical performances, complete with cast and crew, demonstrating a level of excellence that distinguishes schools of our size.
Finally, the capital “B” encircled by a laurel wreath represents our commitment to athletics. The bruin is our mascot, and athletes are active year-round. During the summer months, our gymnasium and athletic fields host camps for each sport, and throughout the school year multiple teams compete across seasons, with opportunities beginning as early as fourth grade. The same spirit of excellence that defines our academics and arts shapes our athletic program. Student-athletes are expected to demonstrate discipline, punctuality, and perseverance. Numerous championship trophies stand as evidence of the dedication of our coaches and athletes. While Scripture reminds us that “bodily exercise profiteth little,” there is still value. For this reason, athletics remains an important and formative part of our school culture.