The First Academy

The First Academy

A K4-12 Christ-centered, college-preparatory school.
Address
2667 Bruton Boulevard
Orlando, Florida
USA
Information
Type Private School
Established 1987
Headmaster Dr. Steve Whitaker
Faculty A+
Grades K4–12
Enrollment 1,150 (2013–14)
Campus 162,000 sq. ft. and 20 acres
Color(s) Royal Blue and Gold
         
Mascot Rowdy the Royal
Yearbook Legacy
Affiliation Christian
Website www.thefirstacademy.org

The First Academy (TFA) is a Christian private school in Orlando, Florida. The school was founded in 1986.

TFA currently enrolls approximately 1,150 students in their 4 Divisions: Lower School (K–6), Middle School (7–8), Upper School (9–12) and The Classical School (homeschool). The Head of School is Dr. Steve Whitaker, who joined in 2003. Upon his arrival, Dr. Whitaker outlined key objectives that would move TFA toward a stated vision of improvement encompassing every aspect of the institution. TFA is accredited by both the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). TFA is also a member of the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), Southern Association of College Admission Counseling and Council for Educational Standards and Accountability. Both the Lower School and the Middle School have earned designation as a National Blue Ribbon School.

The Middle School, funded by donors, opened doors in February 2014. The Upper School addition was completed in 2009 and included a Library Media Center expansion. At the same time, the Warden Stadium, Tennis Center and Concessions Building were added to the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex.

History

The First Academy (TFA) is a Christ-centered college preparatory school serving over 1,150 Central Florida students attending K4 through 12th grade. Since its opening in 1987, TFA has continued to grow the academic, fine arts, and athletic programs that have elevated its students to the highest levels of achievement and helped develop strength of character that leads young men and women to serve others in their own community and across the globe.

Academically, The First Academy Lower School is a proud recipient of the Blue Ribbon Schools award from the U.S. Department of Education — one of only 13 Florida schools to have received the award in 2009. In the past two years, reading and math scores from all grade levels K-5 have advanced TFA to a ranking in the top 1 percent in the nation. The Middle School was one of just 22 schools selected in 2013 and is the sole honoree in the state of Florida. Students at TFA also benefit from a comprehensive, technology-enriched curriculum that includes advanced placement (AP) and honors courses, college dual enrollment and exceptional fine arts and media programs. Parents are impressed with The First Academy’s low student-teacher ratio, percentage of faculty holding advanced degrees and that approximately 70 percent of 4th through 7th grade students qualify each year for the prestigious Duke University Talent Identification Program. The campus expanded the Lower School to double its classroom space, renovated the library with thousands of new resources, added an all-new Upper School in 2009, and is home to the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex, a state-of-the-art facility that ranks as one of the best student athletic centers in Central Florida.

• 100% of our graduates are accepted to college, including Ivy League Universities • Students in the Class of 2013 averaged $176,000 in scholarship awards • National Merit Finalist - Jake Muller

The First Academy Affiliations TFA is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), the Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

¹ ACSI Association of Christian Schools International ✝ASCD Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development ✝CESA Council on Educational Standards & Accountability ✝ISM Independent School Management ¹FCIS Florida Council of Independent Schools ¹FKC Florida Kindergarten Council

¹SAIS	Southern Association of Independent Schools

✝NASSP National Association of Secondary School Principals ¹SACS / CASI Southern Association of Colleges and Schools/Council on Accreditation and School Improvement

Athletics

The First Academy's Payne Stewart Athletic Complex houses Warden Stadium and the Kroy Crofoot Field which is home to the football, soccer and lacrosse athletes. Track and Field athletes enjoy the 400m Mondo Super X track. Softball and baseball fields along with collegiate-style locker rooms are also at the Complex.

In athletics, they won the Class 3A Overall Academic state championship for the first time in school history (Trinity Preparatory School finished second). They won their fifth state volleyball championship, completed their best football season in school history, had 40 percent of their varsity teams advance to the post-season playoffs, dedicated the Scott Larson Pavilion and inducted the inaugural members of The First Academy Athletic Hall of Fame. In the Arts, their students performed Annie, Jr., Beauty and the Beast and Aladdin. Thespian Troupe 5165 produced two One Act plays and two Empty Stage productions. Their students received nine Superior Awards at the District Festival and two Superior Awards at the State Festival. TFA's marching band received a Superior Rating from the Florida Bandmasters Association District Marching MPA and 2nd Place Class 1A at the Space Coast Island Classic Marching Festival.

TFA is a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA). Following the Fall 2011 sports season, TFA won the FHSAA academic team championship for both football and volleyball and ranked second place for boys and girls cross country. In the 3A Class, TFA was ranked #1 overall.

References

    External links

    Coordinates: 28°30′46″N 81°25′33″W / 28.512879°N 81.425757°W / 28.512879; -81.425757

    This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Wednesday, July 15, 2015. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.