First Baptist Academy

At A Glance

First Baptist Academy (FBA), located in Houston, TX, embraced entrepreneurial education to create a transformative experience for its 8th-grade students. In 2023, Head of School Teresa Chambers returned from the CHCA Entrepreneurship Symposium (hosted by Seed Tree Group) and decided to launch a mission-driven program tailored to FBA’s unique needs, leveraging Seed Tree’s guidance to empower students with real-world skills and values-based learning.

The Big Opportunity

Houston is a competitive market for private schools, and FBA needed a way to stand out by offering an innovative, Christ-centered entrepreneurship program. Teresa Chambers saw an opportunity to differentiate her school by adopting the entrepreneurial mindset and fostering a collaborative environment for middle school students, preparing them for success both academically and spiritually.

In her own words, “Other schools have started doing entrepreneurship but they aren't doing it like we are. There’s something different about this approach and how it brings all our students together to collaborate.”

Empowering the School

Seed Tree Group worked closely with Teresa Chambers and her team to design a program specifically for middle school students, ensuring it aligned with FBA’s mission and vision. Through one-on-one coaching, customized curriculum development, and workshops, Seed Tree provided the tools and support needed to launch the program successfully.

The pilot involved 12 eighth-grade students who collaborated on a business venture from ideation to execution. The result was the SWAP Shop (Serving With A Purpose), a mission-driven business offering healthy snacks to the community, all guided by the students’ personal missions and values.

The Transformation

FBA’s entrepreneurial program has redefined student engagement, fostering collaboration, leadership, and a sense of purpose among 8th graders. The SWAP Shop is not only generating revenue but also teaching students critical skills like decision-making, goal-setting, and teamwork, all while staying grounded in FBA’s Christ-centered mission. Parents and community members have praised the program for its impact, and it has quickly become a hallmark of the school’s educational approach.

In order to broaden the effects of the program and work toward transformation of the entire school culture, Head of School Teresa Chambers leveraged Seed Tree Group’s professional development services for her entire staff and also implemented a high-impact cohort style learning experience with a select group to work toward an all-school entrepreneurial mindset approach and create transformational engagement.