BY ADELE CASANOVA
Salem Baptist Christian School in Winston-Salem challenges students to achieve in an academically excellent environment while nurturing their love for, and service to, God and others. The school, founded in 1950, is one of the oldest private Christian schools in North Carolina and strives to offer an affordable, high-quality, Christian-based education. Head of School, Mr. Dwayne Carson, formerly Pastor of Liberty University, states, “We seek to integrate family, church and school, the tripod of education.”
Salem Baptist Christian School serves 375 students from preschool through high school. The students represent seven Triad counties and over 150 different Christian churches of all denominations. The student body consists of a diverse population, and the goal of the educators is to discern each student’s learning style and encourage every student to meet his or her potential. This includes students with learning differences who are counseled by specifically trained educational therapists to become successful academically through the Discovery Learning Program.
Salem Baptist Christian School embraces the concept, “Grow the Way Jesus Grew,” which promotes growth academically, spiritually, socially and in physical stature and health. This is achieved by integrating Biblical teaching into each area of education, including academics, the arts, sports, and social activities.
Self-confidence and spiritual growth are fostered in the students by encouraging service to others. Currently, Mrs. Dana Wallace, Elementary Principal, oversees the “Build Each Other Up” initiative which recognizes elementary students each month for specific acts of service to others. Students in lower school complete service projects during the year and all middle and high school students are required to complete ten hours of community service each school year, thus teaching the students that there is a “world beyond themselves.”
As a Member of the North Carolina Independent School Association, SBCS fields varsity teams in cross country, golf, softball, swimming, cheerleading, baseball, volleyball and both boy’s and girls’ soccer and basketball. Students are also encouraged to participate in activities such as the student council, choral music, band, yearbook publishing and Delta Theta Chi (the student service club). Middle and high school students enjoy faculty-led field trips to such destinations as Florida; New York; Washington, DC; Charleston, SC; and the coast of North Carolina.
Academic achievement at Salem Baptist Christian School is a primary focus of the faculty, with the goal of post-high school success for each student. SBCS is a college preparatory high school with one-half of the upper-class students participating in Advanced Placement and Honors Classes. Outstanding student achievement is rewarded by inclusion in the Principal’s Honor Roll, the National Honor Society, and The Beta Club. The school is accredited by both the Association of Christian Schools International (ASCI) and AdvancED, a non-profit organization that accredits primary and secondary schools internationally. SBCS alumni have attended over 75 different colleges and universities, with eighty-five percent maintaining a 3.0 or higher GPA during college.
Family involvement is valued at Salem Baptist Christian School. Parents donate thousands of hours of volunteer time in the classroom, office, and cafeteria. Parents are also encouraged to participate in committees for classroom events, Fall Festival, and as athletic boosters. Parents and students look forward to “Spirit Nights”—special evening events held in various local venues and restaurants where parents, students, and faculty can socialize in a fun, unstructured environment.
A family atmosphere within the school is encouraged, and Mr. Mark Baker, Secondary Principal and Assistant Head of School, states, “In alumni surveys we often hear that not only did SBCS prepare the students academically, but they also appreciated the family atmosphere at the school, especially the mentorship from the teachers who were involved in the students’ extracurricular activities.”
Since offering an affordable, quality, Christian-based education is a primary goal of the school, SBCS does conduct fundraising activities in order to offer scholarships. Additionally, about one-quarter of the students at SBCS are attending through the Opportunity Scholarship Program through the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority.
Interested parents of potential students can attend a Friendly Friday, an informational tour offered on select Fridays throughout the school year. Please visit www.salemvikings.org for upcoming dates, and to learn more about the school. You can follow the school on social media through Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Salem Baptist Christian School is located at 429 S. Broad Street in Winston-Salem, NC 27101, and can be reached at 336-725-6113.
