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Germany, Kandern
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Black Forest Academy began as the Janz Team School and moved from Basel, Switzerland to Kandern, Germany. In 1981 it relocated to Kandern, renting space in the Medima property that became the current campus; the building was purchased in 1984. Grades 10–12 are in Kandern while grades 1–9 are in Sitzenkirch, and Landhaus Liel was added as a fifth dorm. The school earned accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International in 1989 and expanded with the Blauen and Maugenhard dorms in 1990 and 1994, respectively. In 1997–1998 Project Nehemiah funded a new auditorium and gym, a curriculum change followed in 1998, and Internat Hirschen opened in 1999; later renovations and partnerships supported boarding changes, unified campus, and new dorms, with plans for a triple dorm announced in 2023.
Life at BFA is anchored by a broad community of parents, volunteers, locals, and ministry partners who support students and staff in prayer and daily life. The school emphasizes spiritual life with weekly chapel, small groups, 1:1 mentoring, service projects, and local ministry opportunities. Licensed counselors are on staff to offer free individual and family counseling. Asian care is a dedicated effort to support the large Asian student demographic through staff guidance, cultural events, and help with education options and translation.
Located in the picturesque town of Kandern, Germany, Black Forest Academy serves middle and high school students in grades 5-12. The school follows an American curriculum offering a U.S. High School Diploma alongside numerous Advanced Placement (AP) courses. BFA integrates a biblical worldview into its instruction and features strong visual arts, music, and athletic programs. Students participate in unique educational experiences, utilizing close access to historical locations across Germany, Italy, France, and Switzerland as an extension of the classroom. As a Christian boarding and day school, BFA stands out for its family-style integrated boarding program across six dormitories in the local community, allowing siblings to live in the same house. The campus includes dedicated facilities like the Janz Building, which provides art studios, music suites, a library, and an auditorium, ensuring students have specific resources for their academic and co-curricular development.
