Bethesda International Academy has been dedicated to educating and challenging young people for Christian life and service. Our alumni lead and serve in Christian homes and churches, in business and industry, and in our communities and nation. They are a testimony to the foundation they have received at Bethesda International Academy. 

 

Bethesda Evangelical Lutheran Church first opened its doors to the West Ridge community in 1920. As the congregation grew, the church leaders saw the growing need for Christian education and voted to open a school. In 1952, Bethesda Lutheran School welcomed its first students with a focus on offering students a “Christ-Centered” education. While the school initially served the children of the parish, it quickly expanded to serve the needs of the community. 

In 1987, the existing Kindergarten through 8th-grade program was expanded to include an Extended Care Program. This additional offering fit the needs of families by providing after-school care for working parents. The program was further expanded in 1989 with the addition of a Pre-Kindergarten 4-year-old class, and once again in 1992, with the addition of a 3-year-old Preschool class. In 1993 the school once again expanded its programming to meet the needs of families, by extending the age three through five-year-old classes to full-day. On June 23, 2013, Bethesda Lutheran Church adopted a resolution that changed the name of Bethesda Lutheran School to Bethesda International Academy, a name that best reflected our multicultural ethnicity and emphasis on global leadership in the 21st Century. 

 

Bethesda International Academy continues to expand and update its academic program through the creation of learning communities at all levels of the school. Its students, parents, faculty, and staff continue to celebrate God’s good gifts and blessings. Bethesda continues a tradition of excellence measured not only by the exceedingly good academic test scores its students achieve, but more importantly, by the faithful supportive Christian communities found on campus, and in the kinds of vocations to which Bethesda students find themselves called.

 

Truly we have seen God’s faithfulness, provisions, and blessings during the last six decades and we look forward to seeing where He will lead Bethesda in the future!

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