“The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever” (Isaiah 40:8).

For Black Forest Academy (BFA), a Christ-centred school for grades 5 to 12, these words are lived truths rather than a verse to memorise. Scripture is opened alongside textbooks here and faith shapes culture, decisions and daily practice.

BFA’s USA-modelled curriculum— including Advanced Placement (AP) courses—prepares graduates for universities worldwide while grounding them in biblical thought, character and action. Beyond academics, music, drama, service and sports, co-curricular opportunities build teamwork and leadership.

“The measure of our work is not only in academic results but in the way students leave here with the courage to step into the world with faith and purpose,” says Dr. Phil Dow, Head of School.

Academic pathways at BFA are designed with both rigour and flexibility. All graduates meet core requirements, yet students can tailor their learning through various courses. AP classes provide globally recognised preparation for university but remain an option rather than a mandate. An 11th grader, for example, may choose between Grade 11 English or AP Language & Composition, ensuring each student finds the right balance of challenge and fit. Alongside core subjects, electives in art, music, drama and other disciplines invite students to explore creativity and showcase individual talents.

Serving students in grades 9 to 12, BFA’s boarding programme offers gender-specific and integrated boarding homes where students share meals, pray together and celebrate traditions that forge lifelong friendships. Each boarding house is guided by dorm parents and resident assistants who seek to create a nurturing environment where students are seen as individuals of eternal value.

“By the 2026–27 school year, all boarding houses will be within walking distance of the campus, but still apart from the school. This model creates healthy separation, as students can ‘go home’ at the end of the school day," says Dr. Dow.

Academic support reinforces the culture of care by helping to meet the needs of a diverse international student body. English language learning services help non-native speakers succeed in an all-English curriculum, while BFA’s Resource and Discovery programs support students with learning needs. The school is accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International and the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.

Kandern, at the edge of the Black Forest, offers the beauty of rolling hills and abundant opportunities for hiking and biking, while remaining close to a major city and international airport. Families appreciate the blend of safety, scenery and accessibility, making the town an ideal student home.

What families and students value most cannot be measured on a timetable or transcript. They speak of staff who invest deeply in each child, learning that extends beyond the classroom and a warm community where friendships run deep. BFA becomes the answer for many students who have lived across cultures and countries, often asking, “Where do I belong?” It bridges the gap between where they have been and where they are going, preparing them from a Christian worldview for life’s next steps.

For nearly seventy years, BFA has balanced preparation for what is next with grounding in what is eternal. Faith and learning come together and generations of students discover what it means to be shaped by truth that endures.