Welcome to Utah Bible Academy

Are you looking for an opportunity to learn more about the Bible during school? Then Bible Academy is the place for you!

Biblical Learning

Introduction

Bible Academy is a Released Time non-denominational Bible class for high school students. It is a district-approved non-credit class, meeting off-campus during the regular school day.

The goal of this class is to offer students the opportunity to learn more about God and His love for them through the study of the Bible.

History

 

Bible Academy first started in 1968 at Bonneville High School. At that time, Washington Heights Baptist Church was located across the parking lot from the school. Pastor Vance saw students walking across to another Released Time religious class and wondered why his church couldn’t offer a different option. So, Bible Academy was born.

The first teacher was Hank Green who taught the class for 19 years. One of his students was his daughter, Darla. Released Time Bible Academy was offered at Weber High and Roy High for a short period during this same time. By 2023, Darla had high school students of her own and wanted to have her children be able to study the Bible during school hours like she did. She decided to try to relaunch Bible Academy at Bonneville. She was given permission by Weber School District and the administration at the high school. Because Washington Heights Church had moved to a new location, she got permission from the nearby Community United Methodist Church to hold Bible classes there. Thus, Bible Academy restarted 35 years after her father’s last class.

During this first year of teaching at Bonneville, Darla realized that there were many high school students at her home church, Alpine Church Syracuse, who attended the same high school, Syracuse High School. She presented the idea of opening a Bible Academy there, and the students were very excited about it. Again, she got district approval from Davis School District who surprisingly asked if she wanted the class in all their high schools. Of course, she wanted that but did not yet have the contacts to start in all of them. She then started contacting local churches who are near a high school and might want to offer a class. In 2024, Bible Academy classes were added at Syracuse, Northridge, Clearfield and Viewmont High.

God has continued to open doors for more churches to get involved. This year, Bible Academy will also be available at Davis, Layton, Farmington, and Woods Cross all in Davis School District and Green Canyon in Cache County School District. In total, there will be Bible Academy classes available at 10 high schools. We hope that Bible
Academy will continue to grow, and more high school students will have the chance to learn about God’s great love for them!

How do you Register?

Talk to your school counselor and ask for the Course # listed on the “Schools Page.” If you have any difficulty, contact one of the teachers or the person listed as “School Contact.”

What churches are currently involved in this ministry?

  Alpine Church Syracuse, Elevation Church, Redemption Church North Davis, King’s Cross Church, The Bridge Community, Redemption Church Ogden

 

What Do The Students Have To Say?

Testimonials

Bible Academy has taught me so much more about the Bible and answering my questions. I’ve met so many cool people and found a community.

In Bible Academy I got to connect with other students at my school and got to talk to them about my favorite book! The Bible!

I love Bible Academy! Finding Christian fellowship at my school is so amazing and this class is so uplifting and fun.

Bible Academy has just been a great place to learn and grow in faith as a close group. The teachers are all very kind and answer all your questions from an educated viewpoint.

Bible Academy gave me a place to go to when I felt like I had no one. The class has helped me find who I was and made me realize how good the community was.

Bible academy is an amazing place they taught me many things!

I love hearing about all the things God has done for us. I like that I found out that God loves me as a special needs kid with Down’s Syndrome. And I’m glad that I had a teacher that helped me with that. I’ll always be grateful for that teacher! And now I want to help other special needs kids know God’s love!

All Available Schools

2025-2026

Bonneville

 Weber School District
Course #: 78011;  Course Name: Bible Study; Teacher Contact: Darla Tanaka; bonnevillebible@gmail.com                

Farmington

Davis School District
Course #: 851, Bible Study; Teacher Contact: Austin Porter austinp@kingscrossutah.com

Davis/Layton

Davis School District
Course #: 851, Release Time Bible Study; Teacher Contact: Daniel Williams danielw@redemptionutah.com

Northridge/Clearfield

 Davis School District
Course #: 851, Bible Studies Off Campus; Teacher Contact:  Matt Miller matt@elevation.cc

Woods Cross/Viewmont 

Davis School District
Course #: 851, Bible Studies; Teacher Contact: Kevin LLanos  kevin@thebridgeutah.org

Expansion

Are you interested in having Bible Academy at your school?

Contact Darla Tanaka at bonnevillebible@gmail.com

Is your church interested in offering a Bible Academy class for a local high school?

Contact Darla Tanaka at bonnevillebible@gmail.com

FAQs

Can my homeschooler attend the class?

Yes, homeschoolers are welcome to attend. Just contact the teacher of the class to get more details.

Does this class meet during school hours?

Yes, if students register for this class, it will be one of their class periods.

How do students get to the class location?

The teachers will arrange for transportation.

Do students get credit for these classes?

No. This is a Released Time non-credit class.

Is there a class fee?

No, there are no fees.

Is there any homework?

No.

Do students get a grade for this class?

No.

What church is Bible Academy associated with?

Bible Academy is a non-denominational Bible Class run by several different churches. Check the school's page to see which church is offering the class. 

Will I get back to school in time for my next class?

Yes, the teachers will finish the class early to accomodate for transportation back. 

Will this class follow the school schedule for late start, early out, assemblies and vacation days?

Yes, the teachers will follow the school schedule.

Can students from any religious background take this class?

Yes, everyone is welcome.

Have a Question? Get In Touch Anytime!

(801) 814-8016