Wrapping Up Year 5: A Joyful Milestone for BAO!

As we officially close the books on the 2024/2025 school year, we’re celebrating not just another successful year—but five full years of God’s incredible blessings on Bibleway Academy Online! What began as a prayer over a need and a big dream has grown into a thriving, international online community of believers striving to provide a quality education and Christian learning environment for our children.

Over six years ago, Bro. Michael Rae flew in from Vancouver, I drove from West Virginia, and together with Bro. Barry and Mrs. Coffey, we spent an entire weekend deep in conversation—talking computers, curriculum, tuition, school names—everything under the sun. From breakfast through late-night brainstorming sessions, we poured our hearts into what we hoped would one day become a school that honored God and served students faithfully.

That same year, I taught a single 6th-grade student—our very first student and my little  “guinea pig.” We tested what worked and what didn’t in online education.  Meanwhile behind the scenes, we were writing policy, filling out tax forms, interviewing teachers, and laying the groundwork for the school to open. Right in the middle of the COVID-19 lockdowns, we began to spread the word about our new school—Bibleway Academy Online to open for the 2020/2021 school year.

In August 2020, BAO opened its virtual doors with 23 brave students and 10 newly hired teachers—most of whom had never taught or learned online before. Preparation was intense. Every day brought a new challenge. I still remember painstakingly preparing those first lessons—though I now secretly hope no one remembers them too well! For the families who joined us in those early days, thank you for growing with us. Hopefully, you’ve seen just how far the Lord has brought us in these five short years.

Fast forward to this past school year, 2024/2025–We welcomed 70 students and offered an whopping 43 courses! Our largest class topped out at 15 students, and our BAO community included students and teachers from five different countries. Throughout the year, we held 13 school-wide devotions, and in May, we hosted an in-person gathering of BAO families. Approximately 145 guests attended our Awards Ceremony and Graduation in Johnson City, TN, where we were honored to personally present diplomas to our 7 graduates.  They truly represented the geography of the school, coming from Canada, Arizona, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Ohio, and even New Zealand! It was a weekend filled with laughter, fellowship, and camaraderie, enjoyed by all.

Looking ahead to 2025/2026—BAO’s sixth year—we are thrilled about what’s coming next! We’re welcoming a new teacher and expanding our devotion schedule. We’re also hosting our first-ever interschool Bible Trivia Tournament with students from Bible Believers Christian School and Bibleway Christian Academy. Our courses continue to diversify, with exciting new offerings like Home Economics and Photography. One especially exciting development: we are on track to receive our official nonprofit status in the US this year—an important milestone that opens new financial doors for the future.

As we reflect on the journey so far, the Lord has truly guided and blessed every step. And if this is what five years of His faithfulness looks like, we can only imagine what the next five might hold! Here’s to year six—our best year yet!