British American School: A new, and old, concept in the Ballantyne area

Ballantyne Magazine, Winter 2004

The British American School of Charlotte opened this fall. Ballantyne Magazine spoke with Headmaster Allan Strange.

Q: Briefly describe the British American School of Charlotte.
A: The British American School of Charlotte is a new private elementary school to provide the region with an international style of education. It is the latest school in the rapidly growing British Schools of America group.

Q: What curriculum do you use? How is that different from what the public schools or other private schools might use?
A: Our school follows the English National Curriculum and integrates it with the best practices from around the world. We have an international focus that permeates everything we do, from introducing foreign language instruction at a very young age to weaving an awareness about other countries and cultures throughout the school day. Known for high academic standards and traditional values, we begin formal reading and foreign language instruction (French) at age three.

Q: What grades and how many students?
A: The school started in September with 15 students ranging from 3 to 11 years old. The British American School of Charlotte operates an open enrollment system, which allows students to join the school when they turn 3, move into the area or even when they are experiencing difficulties in other local schools. We plan to extend the age range of the students each year. Eventually we will serve students in pre-school through middle school.

Q: Who are your teachers and what are their qualifications?
A: Our four classroom teachers are British and earned their bachelor's degrees in the United Kingdom. Two of our classroom teachers were recruited from the British School of Houston and so have experience working in the United States as well. Our music and French teachers are American citizens.

Q: Do you have a traditional school year?
A: The British American School of Charlotte operates on a British school year calendar. The aim of the calendar is to produce periods of learning that are similar in length and holidays that are long enough for students to relax but not so long that they undo their learning. Thus, the students start their studies in September and end in July. The year comprises of an autumn, spring and summer term. The winter and spring breaks are two weeks long while the summer holiday is around seven weeks. Each term is split into two half terms, which are separated by a further week's holiday.

Q: Do you have to be British or of British ancestry to attend?
A: Certainly not. When the first schools in the British Schools of America opened, they were targeted at the many families whose children had been educated in England. Very quickly, it became clear that American families were choosing to send their youngsters to our schools. Ninety percent of the students in the British American School of Charlotte are American citizens.

Q: Why was there a school opened in the Ballantyne area?
A: We realized that Charlotte - one of the fastest growing cities in the United States and one with a wide range of international businesses - was our kind of city. Typically our parents are young, intelligent, highly educated, forward-thinking individuals who want their children to haven an excellent start educationally while developing strong personal values. We chose the Ballantyne area because it is a convenient location for our prospective families. We're located near StoneCrest shopping center and the Ballantyne Resort. As a result, our school (the former All Saints Catholic School) is easy to access from 485 and other major South Charlotte thoroughfares.

Q: Any future growth plans?
A: British Schools of America has a long-term plan to open 10 schools in 10 years in the USA. At the British American School of Charlotte, we plan to move to single age groups next year and to have around 220 students by the end of our third year.

Q: What is the tuition?
A: Full-time placement costs, including all books materials and a promise that we will not return to parents for any donations or further fund-raising amount to $14,000 per year. We find that not having to get involved in ongoing or additional fund-raising is very popular with our parents.