The Christian Brothers Academy is well known for having an incredibly high standard of academic excellence. Their curriculum is based on Roman Catholic values with a heavy emphasis on military-style leadership development. Their athletic program is top notch, and their basketball team has multiple championship wins. The rich heritage of the Christian Brothers Academy inspires a sense of pride and responsibility in young students.

THEIR MISSION

Christian Brothers Academy, a college preparatory Catholic school in the Lasallian tradition, provides young men in grades five through twelve with a balanced education through challenging academic and broad co-curricular programs in a safe, faith-filled environment. Sponsored by the Brothers of the Christian Schools, CBA is committed to meeting the needs of the individual, developing his full potential and guiding him toward his role as a successful member of society. The teachings of the Catholic Church, the traditions of the Brothers of the Christian Schools and the principles of American citizenship form the foundation of the school’s educational philosophy.

Academics

The Christian Brothers Academy is a perfect choice for students who thrive in a highly structured environment. The military structure allows students to focus on their academic achievements. In addition to traditional classes, students also study theology, fine arts, music and foreign languages. The Christian Brothers Academy has accreditation through the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and the New York State Board of Regents. In addition, they are also recognized for their Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) program by the United States Department of the Army. The Christian Brothers Academy is distinguished as an Honor Unit with Distinction. Finally, the school boasts a 100 percent college acceptance rate since 1980.

Athletics

The Christian Brothers Academy also offers team sports to interested students. They emphasize good sportsmanship, teamwork and self-discipline to all students who are participating in organized sports.

The “Class AA” school offers football, basketball, cross country, hockey, wrestling, soccer, swimming, skiing and even lacrosse. Their basketball team has won multiple championships in recent years.

History and Tradition

In 1854, the De La Salle Christian Brothers opened up an orphanage for boys in the state of New York. It wasn’t long before the orphanage became an all-boys boarding school. The Academy has undergone many changes through the years, but the high academic standards have never changed. The Academy has always had a religious focus, but it wasn’t until 1892 that military training was introduced to the program.

AJROTC: Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps

The Army Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps program is optional at the Christian Brothers Academy, but all students are currently enrolled in the program. The Army JROTC program is designed to give students leadership positions. There is also a great emphasis placed on community service and character development. Students get the chance to develop their skills by holding actual leadership positions.

Admissions Process

This prestigious institution has a lengthy admissions process. Students should begin putting their application packets together as soon as possible. In addition to the application forms and current report cards, students also need to submit their standardized testing scores and at least two recommendation forms. All of this information can be downloaded at their website. Parents and students are encouraged to schedule an appointment to visit the campus. Parents should also consider researching Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) to find out more about great financial aid opportunities. Staff members at the Christian Brothers Academy are happy to answer any questions about tuition and financial aid.

According to the Academy…

Academic achievement stands at the center of our mission. Perhaps that’s why all of our boys over the last 30 years have been admitted to some of the greatest colleges and universities in the world.

We challenge our boys with a rigorous college-preparatory curriculum that engages them and makes them think. We offer honors courses, as well as Advanced Placement and various college credit courses to help them get a jump start on their college degrees by earning credit now. CBA is a Middle States Accredited school, an achievement made possible by our talented educators.

HONORS PROGRAM

Our Honors Program courses are available to qualified students in middle and senior high school. Honors students in 8th grade are permitted to study 9th grade math and science. The high school program offers students the opportunity to take honors-level courses in all of the core disciplines (math, science, social studies, English and foreign language) through a combination of Advanced Placement offerings and regularly scheduled courses.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES

The College Board offers the Advanced Placement program to give high school students the opportunity to pursue college credit in specific disciplines. CBA offers Advanced Placement courses in United States history, World history, English, biology, chemistry, and calculus. Students who wish to enroll in AP courses must meet all prerequisites for the Honors Program. Additionally, students enrolled in AP courses are required to sit for the AP exams scheduled in May and pay all course fees.

COLLEGE CREDIT COURSES

Christian Brothers Academy offers College in the High School (CHS) courses through Hudson Valley Community College and University in the High School courses (UHS) through the University at Albany as opportunities for students to earn college credit while attending CBA. CBA offers CHS/UHS courses in math, business, music, computer science and social sciences. All courses in the CHS/UHS program are college-level courses, and students are required to pay a reduced HVCC or University at Albany tuition for each class.

MIDDLE SCHOOL CURRICULUM

Middle school students (grades 5 through 8) complete a challenging curriculum consisting of theology, English, history, math, science, Spanish, fine arts, music, and health and physical education courses. Honors Program classes are available to qualified 8th grade students.

HIGH SCHOOL CURRICULUM

The course-selection process is an important part of a student’s progress toward academic success, educational fulfillment and readiness for college, the military and/or employment. In accordance with our academic requirements, all students are required to complete at least 29 credits to be eligible for graduation.

PROJECT LEAD THE WAY

Project Lead the Way (PLTW) is a program that provides challenging and innovative curriculum for use by schools in the areas of science, technology, engineering and math. According to PLTW it exists “…to prepare students for the global economy through its world class curriculum, high quality professional development and an engaged network of educators, students, universities and professionals. The hands on project based program engages students on multiple levels, exposes them to areas of study that they typically do not pursue…”