Teen Is Kicked Out of Christian School for Performing at Bars & Clubs That Serve Alcohol

Bailey Marie Griggs/Facebook

It’s no secret that Christian schools are different. They typically have more rules than mainstream public schools and often feel a stronger conviction in enforcing them. These standards can often present conflict for the people who want to give their children a quality education but don’t necessarily hold the same beliefs as the institution.

This conflict in beliefs and behaviors recently resulted in one teenager being expelled from her high school.

The school prohibits students from 'attending night clubs or bars' and 'attending gatherings with alcohol or drugs present.'

Cramerton Christian Academy in North Carolina asked Bailey Griggs, 17, not to return for her senior year of high school, the Gaston Gazette reported. The school has barred Bailey, a singer/songwriter, from attending because she performs at bars and other venues that serve alcohol.

In an email to her mother, Jennifer Griggs, the school wrote that Bailey will no longer be allowed to attend the school’s homeschool bridge program due to policies that prohibit students from, "attending night clubs or bars," and "attending gatherings with alcohol or drugs present." 

'I had every right to think I was going back,' Bailey said.

The Griggs family aren’t willing to sacrifice Bailey’s career in order to maintain enrollment. Bailey has been performing since she was 10 years old and has already experienced much success. While from North Carolina, she’s performed at New York City's famed Apollo Theater and was, according to her mother, discovered by Dolly Parton’s producer Kent Wells.

She traveled so much that her parents decided to homeschool her. The Cramerton homeschool bridge program allowed her to participate in school sports and experience other socialization aspects of traditional schooling. Bailey was the captain of the cheerleading team and was active in the school’s church, the Gazette reported. “We were just excited to, you know, do all the small things that seniors do,” Bailey told WRAL. “… especially get the tank tops with 'senior' on them. Whenever we ended school, I had every right to think I was going back.”

'She's doing her job,' her mother said in response to the expulsion.

But the school wasn't interested in the explanation. And while the Griggses have accepted the school’s decision, they don’t agree with it. “When you look at the handbook and the way it’s written, it says that she’s not to be gathering in places where there’s alcohol and drugs,” Jennifer said. “She’s not gathering, she’s doing her job.”

Bailey said she’s not drinking, she’s performing. Jennifer believes her daughter was singled out.

“The other kids in the schools, there’s post, many, many posts of them attending music concerts,” she said. “If anyone knows, when you go to those concerts, you’re surrounded by alcohol.” Furthermore, many restaurants, which students attend, also serve alcohol.

Bailey's mom said the school took away the one piece of normalcy she had in her life.

Bailey believes the rules are not being applied consistently. “If you’re going to kick me out, then probably kick the whole school out,” Bailey told WCNC.

Jennifer said the school gave her no notice about Bailey’s enrollment. School and specifically her involvement on the cheer team provided a sense of normalcy in Bailey’s unorthodox teen life. “They ripped that away,” her mother told the Gazette.

The expulsion has actually worked out in Bailey's favor.

While disappointed, Bailey is using the situation as inspiration for her music. “It really tears you down,” she told WCNC. “But at the end, when you are overcoming it, you realize it’s beautiful it happened. You will come out on top.” 

Bailey is now on the search for other homeschool programs. She plans to continue performing. She has a show early next month and since her expulsion has been invited to perform at the Field and Stream Music Festival in South Carolina. Bailey says she will still work toward her diploma.