History
Luke 2:52 (KJV) And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man. From this scripture derived the model for the Zion Baptist Academy: “Developing children in wisdom & stature, in favor with God and man.”
The Zion Baptist Academy (ZBA), whose history we will sketch herein, opened its doors to students on Tuesday, September 4, 2007. It is owned, in total, by Zion Baptist Church, 165 Lemon Street, Marietta, Georgia 30060. The hours of operation are from 6:30 in the morning until 6:30 in the evening. ZBA is licensed by the Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning/Bright from the Start.
The sagacity for the Zion Baptist Academy began long before its inception. The pastor of Zion Baptist Church, the Rev. Dr. Harris T. Travis, is a visionary and career educator for more than twenty-eight years, and holds “learning” as crucial to life, and of particular importance to the spiritual growth of the people residing in the Zion community.
As Zion Baptist Church continues to grow and evolve demographically, it is immensely blessed to attract members who bring with them outstanding skills and knowledge that propel Zion as a pillar in the community and aid Pastor Travis in his vision for this Evangelistic and Missions oriented church. The Academy is integral to the vision.
During the year of our Lord 2006, Brother Thomas and Mother Doris Webster were approached by Pastor Travis requesting their leadership in conducting research into the requirements of the State of Georgia to make his vision of an early education facility into a reality. Pastor’s decision to approach these two individuals resulted from his knowledge of Mother Webster’s background in nursing and working with state and local regulatory entities, and Brother Webster’s business acumen. Also, Pastor had observed the cohesiveness of these Christians as a team which he viewed as advantageous to the request he placed before them. These two members of Zion Baptist Church enthusiastically embraced the request, conducted the research, as well as attended the applicable training to aid in making Pastor’s “vision” a “reality.”
During 2006, Zion Baptist Church was well into the planning and construction phase of its new Sanctuary. Congruent to the plans for the new sanctuary, the state requirements for a child education facility were incorporated. The research conducted by Mother Doris and Brother Thomas Webster, which included classroom furnishings and the playground, was timely over this period in Zion’s growth, and lent way to the success of the construction.
At the Tuesday, April 9, 2007, church conference, the structure for the Zion Baptist Academy Board of Directors was presented and implemented by majority vote of the church body. As a non-profit entity, a Board is crucial to the success and oversight of the organization.
On Sunday, April 15, 2007, the new Zion Baptist Church Sanctuary held its grand opening service. Members marched from the old sanctuary to the new one for the second service. At this juncture in Zion’s history, it was common knowledge that the Zion Baptist Academy was researched, licenses applied for, and scheduled to open its doors on July 2, 2007.
As processes continued to move forward, ZBA conducted its first formal Board of Directors meeting and elected officers on Thursday, April 26, 2007, at 10:30 a.m. in the conference room of Pastor Travis. Members of the Board included: Thomas Webster, Chairperson; Carolyn Rickards Williams, Vice Chairperson; Darlene George, Secretary/Treasurer.
The 2007/2008 premiere year for the Zion Baptist Academy was legendary with 104 enrollments. This number included the After School Program, Summer Camp, and seventy students from six weeks old through pre-kindergarten. Classes comprised 2-Georgia Pre-K/40; 1-Private Pre-K/12; 1-Young Toddlers; 1-Advanced Toddlers; 1-Infant; 2-Before & After School; and 1-Summer Camp. There were fourteen (14) permanent staff members: 2-Co-Directors; 3-Lead Teachers; 2-Assistant Teachers; 1-Infant/Toddler Teacher; 1-Toddler Teacher; 2-After School Teachers; 1-Administrative Assistant; 1-Evening Supervisor; 1-Assistant Director.
The curriculum ZBA utilizes is faith-based, has been researched, and is developmentally appropriate for infants, pre-school, and school-age children. Because of its biblical foundation, it is spiritually dynamic. At the onset of its opening, ZBA was selected by the United Way Organization to participate in the Light Generates Hope for Tomorrow (LIGHT) grant through Smart Start, an Early Reading First (ERF) program.
2008/2009 The ZBA’s Newsletter, “Kaleidoscope” made its début. This periodical highlights the curriculum, the students, and current events in early childhood education. Character Education was also integrated this year by means of a 4-H Project sponsored by the University of Georgia’s Agriculture Extension Program. Classes were held monthly and topics aligned with the academic curriculum of ZBA.
The 2009/2010 school year at ZBA had its first significant bout with growing pangs. There were twenty (20) applicants on a waiting list for the Pre-Kindergarten class. Weekly Chapel services began in 2009 for the three and four year olds under the direction of the Director of Christian Education for Zion Baptist Church (Rev. Beverly Sonnier). The Technology Center officially opened on the second floor of the Academy resulting from an excess property donation spearheaded by a Zion Baptist Church member employed with the Federal Government (Deaconess Connie Green). These used computers were refurbished before they were placed into use.
2010/2011 marks the four-year anniversary of the Zion Baptist Academy. ZBA advancements continue to proliferate as the Pastor and his flock faithfully pray for blessings upon the school and all who have and will use its services. This school year has realized technological progression in that it was awarded six (6) new IBM computers and several software programs as part of the Early Reading First Grant. Also new this year is the introduction of the Uniform Dress Code for Pre-Kindergarten 1 and 2 enrollees.
The ZBA Board added two Zion Baptist Church members to backfill the secretary position (Mother Carol Edwards and Deaconess Bernadette Keitt). Since inception, the Mission of the Zion Baptist Academy continues to be to provide a high quality curriculum, founded on academic excellence in a Christ-centered learning environment as outlined in Luke, chapter 2, verse 52.
The Goals include increasing each child’s capacity to reason and encourage a spirit of inquiry in a creative learning environment. Most of all, Zion Baptist Academy wants each child to know that he/she is a worthy person, acceptable and lovable just as God made him/her. To have a good self-concept and the opportunity to learn in a developmentally appropriate environment are gifts that last a lifetime.
Co-Founders Brother Thomas and Mother Doris Webster have created a safe Christian Learning environment that embraces the diversity and spirit of the community it serves. Their passion and commitment are evident by the success the community has enjoyed since the inception of the Zion Baptist Academy. These Christian brethren held fast to the words as they are written in Proverbs 22:6 (KJV) Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
The Zion Baptist Academy continues to grow and master the vision of the Pastor, Rev. Dr. Harris T. Travis, and embrace the legacy left by its co-founders (pictured below with actual students of the Zion Baptist Academy).
Brother Thomas Webster & Mother Thomas Webster
CoFounders
~ Historical Sketch compiled and authored by Deaconess Bernadette Keitt ~