CBA seeks to kindle community change in Charleston by uniting and leveraging diverse families through providing developmentally appropriate, project-based, language immersion education.  

 

CBA students learn to live in at least two languages, simultaneously making friends from many cultures, all the while being saturated with the great love and truth of the Triune God. In this setting, we develop children linguistically, cognitively, socio-emotionally, and physically by equipping children to navigate cultures and languages, while learning and experiencing the love of the Triune God. Beginning with play-based learning in Early Childhood and then project-based learning in Grades 1-9, students learn through collaborative projects, creative problem solving, use of technology.  CBA students do real work to solve real problems for real people—becoming creative thinkers, confident communicators, courageous leaders, and world changers for Christ.

 

Early Childhood Education (2-year-olds – Kindergarten)
CBA’s Early Childhood Education program 

·      Play-based classes led by highly qualified, native Spanish-speaking teachers. 

·      Children experience full Spanish immersion—not as a separate class, but as the natural language of instruction, play, and interaction. 

·      Through creative play, arts and crafts, socialization, and recess, students build foundational language, literacy, and number concepts. 

·      Students engage with Bible stories, songs, and hands-on activities that nurture early skills in phonics, pre-writing, numbers, shapes, colors, life cycles, and more.

·      Experiences cultivate student’s social, emotional, physical, and spiritual growth while laying the groundwork for creative thinking, problem solving, and a love of learning in Spanish.

·      Time:

o   2 year-old – 4 year-olds: 8:30am-11:55pm, (optional Lunch Bunch from 11:55am-12:25pm for an additional cost); two,three, and 5 day options avialable. Licensing requirements are reviewed regularly. In accordance with DSS regulations, CBA’s “faith-based” EC program operates 4 hours daily, and CBA is exempt from DSS supervision.

o   Kindergarten (must be 5 years old on or before September 1) 8:15 – 12:45 with an afternoon program available until 3:15, M – F.

Elementary School (Grade 1 – 5)

·      Learning is project-based and inquiry-driven. 

·      Teachers integrate science, social studies, and Bible with core language arts instruction as students develop age-appropriate skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and thinking. 

·      Small group instruction supports differentiated learning, with systematic phonics and rich literacy experiences at the heart of each lesson. 

·      Lessons are designed to spark curiosity and wonder as students read, explore, create, sing, and investigate the world together. 

·      Math instruction follows the Singapore Math model, promoting deep understanding and problem-solving ability. 

·      All lessons are thoughtfully aligned with benchmarks based on Common Core Standards.

·      Time: 8:15 – 3:15, M – F

·      Afterschool activities available 3:30 – 4:30 at additional fee.

Upper School (Grade 6 – 12)

·      Students grow as thinkers and discerning leaders. 

·      Students deepen their understanding of the why’s and how’s as they practice logic, detect fallacies, and learn to debate with grace and truth. 

·      Writing and speaking skills are honed to encourage persuasive, winsome, and original communication. 

·      Students engage in internships and mentorships locally and abroad as they begin to specialize in areas of interest, preparing for a life of service to God and others using their unique gifts.

·      Time: 8:15 – 3:30, M – F

Other:

·      CBA Bridge Program – Students in the CBA Bridge program study intensive Spanish immersion for beginners before being fully immersed into the CBA elementary/upper school program for an additional cost. 

 

·      Mandarin: For the 25-26 school year, CBA will have a Mandarin cohort for grades 2-3 and grades 5-6 . Students attend classes in Spanish half a day and Mandarin during the other half of the school day.  Families of students studying Mandarin must commit to learning English on their own at home and maintaining a designated level of proficiency.  

o   There is an additional tuition premium for students in the Mandarin program.

o   CBA offers an after school Mandarin Club that meets from 3:30-4:30pm two days/week to interested students in grades 1-4.  

o   Note: Mandarin is NOT guaranteed every year.