First Baptist Academy

7898 Samuell Boulevard

Dallas, TX 75228

30 Reviews

School District
Grade

PK-12
Type

private

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Reviews

Submitted by parent on July 10, 2024

FBA is run by a very interconnected clique of people who all grew up with each other and graduated from the school and then came back to work here. Because of that reason, there is a lot of favoritism, and a lot of inside politics.Administrators have told teachers that enrollment has gotten big enough where they don’t need to waste time on kids with learning needs anymore. They have even kicked some of those kids out of the school and didn’t allow them to reenroll even though their siblings were reenrolled.The school has a large number of unqualified teachers who do not even have teaching degrees or experience, and that is reflecting in grades, test scores and how behind kids are when they leave the school. They also have a hard time keeping teachers because they pay them so low, even though some of the leadership is making well into the six figure range. That is known because, there is a lot of backstabbing and gossip even among the inner circle.I would advise families against bringing their kids to the school because if the parents don’t play the game and donate the money, the kids are the ones who pay the price.The mission stated for the school is unfortunately not how the adults there are leading and it shows the kids a really bad example of hypocritical Christians.Many people are leaving for other private schools because the academics and favoritism are so bad.
Submitted by parent on November 19, 2023

FBA is all about playing favorites. There are many staff children/grandchildren here and they are treated like only they matter. It’s a very unequal environment as well as sending a negative impact to all other kids.As well, the school leadership looks the other way on a lot of questionable behaviors but will crack down on a regular kid over the slightest thing. Very telling was how the school recently sent out a survey that purposely didn’t have any questions about how parents actually view the school leaders and staff. There was no place to write in answers and examples of what really goes on there especially in athletics department. Academics are mid not great and there is no real projects or hands on learning just a ton of memorizing.
Submitted by parent on March 18, 2023

This is a closed campus that doesn’t let parents past the reception desk in most instances. You won’t get to meet other parents unless your kid is an athlete and you pay to attend school games. It’s very small with just a few hundred kids K-12 so your kid may not get the social development available at larger schools. Middle school and high school students are overly scrutinized on conduct and the slightest infraction lands your kid in detention or worse. The academics are nothing special either. Look for better options. This is a last choice pick.
Submitted by parent on February 19, 2020

My experience at FBA has been amazing. I have four kids in the school and it has been a tremendous experience for them. The teachers genuinely care about the students and are willing to go above and beyond to help them. The academics are very rigorous and force my kids to work hard and they have excelled in that environment. The athletic department is top-notch. FBA has made my kids feel accepted, loved, appreciated and respected. They have challenged them both academically and athletically. We are so thankful that we found this school and for the impact, it is having on our kids lives.
Submitted by parent on February 13, 2018

The teachers try hard. The school is very disorganized and could use some help. Also, I think they lost their way and place a higher value athletics than education. The classes seem to excel at teaching math and reading. However, the school does not focus on any other topics that I can see and may not be well rounded.
Submitted by parent on December 30, 2017

FBA is definitely a strong family and Christian atmosphere. The school is in growth mode. To continue to grow effectively, hopefully the school will look outside it's small, interconnected staff and poll families who pay for their children to attend to find out what strengths and weaknesses they have from an outside perspective. The school is strong, but can be stronger and we pray the administration looks past just sports and considers all families and opportunities to strengthen technology, academics and the God-given talents of students.
Submitted by parent on December 16, 2016

Moved my daughter from public school. Great atmosphere. The teachers are amazing and the coaching staff is excellent. Best thing I ever did. Christ is the center of everything. They are moving out of downtown so that should help location issues. Although some love downtown.
Submitted by other on September 16, 2016

FBA exudes excellence in academics and servant leadership based on biblical Truth in every area to prepare all who are blessed to be a part of the FBA Family. Graduates are successfully attending A&M, Baylor, Mary Hardin Baylor, Texas State, Texas Tech, UTSA,...and in the militany affecting change for time & eternity!
Submitted by parent on August 06, 2016

I'm so surprised by those commenters who do not like FBA. From an academic viewpoint, practically every senior is accepted by the college of their choice - many with scholarships. From a spiritual viewpoint, each class is responsible for missionary work both in our community and in the world. From a social viewpoint, great friendships that last a lifetime are developed. I think those dissenters must have personal issues with the school - it can't be the quality.
Submitted by other on September 23, 2015

First Baptist is not worth the money. Like any school, there is both good and bad, but this one simply does not deliver on what it advertises. Whatever it might promise as a Christian distinctive, it delivers shallow moralism. Too many of the teachers are mediocre (there is the occasional gem). The administration turns a blind eye to rampant bullying, and there is more concern with image than with the individual. If you aren't comfortable with the public schools in your district, and you don't have a ton of money to spend on a private school, then this is at least more affordable than some of your other options. However, don't choose this school if you are hoping for academic excellence or strong spiritual guidance.
Submitted by parent on August 12, 2014

This school has diversity of race, zip codes, ages, faculty and church affiliations. The downtown campus fosters students to navigate an urban environment and is wonderful for families living or working near downtown or the Athletic Complex in far East Dallas. The small class size allows every child the opportunity to compete for sports teams, art programs and leadership experiences. The families bond to form communities that raise wonderful young men and women collectively starting with pre-K through graduation . The facilities are not as grand as suburban areas but consider the location and cost of real estate and downtown regulations, it's impressive once you enter the buildings. It's growing again after a few years of construction and other barriers. We are blessed to have FBA as partners in raising our children.
Submitted by parent on April 30, 2014

I would not recommend FBA. They only care about sports and have no values. Students lust in the hallways. How could a school support this? It seems that there is less emphasis on God and godly Christian values. The school only focuses on athletes rather than the needs of every child. I'm done with paying for an education that does not offer lasting results.
Submitted by other on November 26, 2013

The lower school and upper schools should be reviewed as two seperate entities. While the lower school is great, there are serious bullying issues in the upper school between the "Park Cities" set of students and those from more modest backgrounds. Those who do not fit into a very specific mold will not thrive at FBA as any individual identity is very much discouraged. As a Southern Baptist affiliated school, it also goes without saying that this is also not the place for GLBT students and their families, nor anyone who doesn't identify as strongly conservative or, obviously, Southern Baptist.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

We are proud parents of students that have the opportunity to receive a Christian education from First Baptist Academy. Glad to be a part of the culture, biblical teaching, & their college preparatory standards for our children. Good school!
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

The lower school is amazing. Great teachers that exhibit Christian leadership. Amazing principle that relates to the kids.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

Wonderful, Caring teachers and staff. Facilities are adequate. Class size is small and intimate. Great location for downtown working parents.
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

My son is in Pre-K at FBA. School has only been in session for 2 1/2 months and I'm already blown away but what my little one comes home talking about and the work that is sent home. One thing I love about his teacher is that she makes learning interactive and fun. Last week, they made a scarecrow from scratch! I can just hear all the kids talking about what a scarecrow is made of, etc. and learning about different colors, textures, sounds, etc. My son, would have never been able to do this with a classroom of 25 or more students in a public school. Ms. Carney is amazing with the kids and I feel like she loves them as much as the parents do. Can't wait to continue our journey at FBA!
Submitted by parent on October 31, 2013

First Baptist Academy Dallas is a school that cares greatly about the superior education of their students. They provide excellent teachers who invest their lives to the whole development of their students. The teachers are not only well educated, but provide support to their students by giving of their personal time and efforts. The families involved in FBA are very supportive to the whole school body by providing financial support and giving of their time and talents to the activities that accompany the full academic and social aspects of the educational experience for kindergarten through senior year. We love FBA and what it has meant to the overall development of our three children.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

First Baptist Academy is a great, small, private school that offers many benefits to it's students. Being located in downtown Dallas gives it a certain advantage over other private schools simply because of it's location to the busy "real life" work environment that surrounds the school and the new campus is definitely a plus. The classes are small so teachers can take the time to work with the entire class and individual students, if needed. The families that send their children are actively involved with the school and that definitely impacts the behavior and discipline of the children who attend classes. When you have good kids and active parents, you get GREAT results! My child has attended FBA since pre-kindergarten and is graduating this year. He loves it and is thankful that he got the opportunity to attend a school where it feels like "family" plus gave him the education required in the competitive world of advancing to college.
Submitted by parent on October 30, 2013

Our family has one grade of First Baptist Academy and one who is a freshman. Both girls have gone to school here since kindergarten. Putting our children here has been one of the best decisions our family has made. The teachers and staff care about the students as if they were family. Indeed, it is like a small town school in the middle of the city. The education, both biblically and academically, has been fantastic and just what we were seeking in a school when we enrolled our oldest. Our family would highly recommend FBA to anyone seeking a private school education for their children. It is the best!