Annual Report by The First Academy

THE FIRST ACADEMY

2021

ANNUAL REVIEW

A LETTER FROM STEVE D. WHITAKER, PH.D. HEAD OF SCHOOL Dear Royal Families, Our Annual Report is a time to pause and look back at what the Lord has done at The First Academy. It is also a time to give an account of His faithfulness and our stewardship of His generosity. We have been immeasurably blessed in so many ways. I am so thankful for the partnership of our families, the passion of our faculty and staff, and the dedication of our student body. Last year, we focused on Love - The Greatest of These. This theme influenced us to focus on loving one another as Christ loves us, and place our hearts in the hands of the Lord. This theme was especially important as we navigated a season of social unrest, COVID contact tracing, and social/emotional distress brought on by a variety of environmental factors. It was through this theme that we were able to thrive as a school community. Members of the Class of 2021 were accepted to over 120 colleges and universities, generous donors gave over $2 Million to fund Tuition Assistance and

the Campaign For All, our Athletics and Fine Arts programs thrived, and we celebrated 44 AP Scholars and 2 National Merit Recognized Students. So much has happened that has surprised us all. In the midst of the uncertainty, we held fast to our faith, families, and our strong school community. We have begun to emerge on the other side, with great love for one another, now working to refine ourselves In His Image. In the following pages, you will learn more about tuition for 2022-2023, the continuing growth of our campus, the gains of our student body, the generosity of our givers, and the stories of our teachers and families from the 20202021 school year. Thank you for making the choice to be a part of our TFA family. The best is yet to come! In His Image, Steve D. Whitaker, Ph.D. Head of School

Message from the School Board Chairman Dear TFA Family, Though not without its challenges, the last two years have been an exceptional season for The First Academy. We have renewed our focus on our Gospel-centered mission, experienced enrollment interest, invested in our teachers, celebrated the generosity of our school families, and returned to campus in August with smiling faces. My role as School Board Chair at TFA is to make viability-focused decisions for the next generation of students, while also providing fiduciary oversight of the school’s finances and operations. As a School Board, we focus our work in three key areas: advancing the mission, funding the vision, and securing the legacy. Part of our work in assisting to carry out the Strategic Plan and fund the vision is to work with the Leadership Team to set and approve tuition rates on a yearly basis. 2022-2023 Tuition

In the following pages, important details regarding tuition rates and payment schedules for 2022-

2023 are outlined, along with information about the upcoming Enrollment Change Period. For the past two years, the School Board and Leadership Team made the decision to freeze tuition rates as many families were still impacted financially by the COVID-19 pandemic. As we now look toward 2022-2023, we must revisit tuition rates in conjunction with the institutional stability of our great school. Prior to the pandemic, TFA tuition rates would increase at an average of 4% per year. With two consecutive years of a tuition freeze, school budgets were carefully reviewed and adjustments were made to allow for success with reduced tuition funds. Looking forward, we are again focused on attracting and retaining the best teachers in Florida, as they are our Living Curriculum Influencers. Much of the tuition dollars from our families are directly funneled to our amazing teachers. Reinstating an industry-standard increase in tuition will cover what The First Academy’s Leadership Team needs to maintain a school of excellence. Please take some time to review the information about 2022-2023 tuition and reach out to The First

Academy Business Office should your family have questions about tuition or the payment schedule for next year. Enrollment for 2022-2023 is already strong and we expect classes to fill quickly for next year. Our partnership with your family is based on trust. Our shared mission, vision, and values call us to raise up the next generation of Christian leaders to have an impact on our world. The Enrollment Status Change Period is set for February 15 through February 25. More information and details will be sent to you as those dates near. You will find frequently asked questions, facts, and contact information should you have any questions about this process on TFA’s Website. Strategic Planning

It has been an encouragement to watch as many of the initiatives from the “Leading the Way” Strategic Plan have been carried out to completion. The First Academy has celebrated capital project completion such as the A Campaign For All Kitchen & Eatery, the Gather Space, updates to the baseball facilities at the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex,

and many more because of the investment of generous donors. Additionally, initiatives in the areas of Fine Arts, Athletics, Academics, and Spiritual Formation were successfully completed. Please join me in praying for God’s continued guidance as we work on the next Strategic Plan. We are so thankful for the hundreds of students, teachers, and families who took part in the interview process for the new Strategic Plan. We are releasing the outline for the Strategic Plan soon and plan to share the completed plan with families by the end of this school year. On behalf of the entire School Board, we wish your family abundant blessings in the coming year and look forward to celebrating our school’s many successes with you in the months and years to come. Please join us in praying for continued blessings for the 2022-2023 school year. In His Service, Clark Keator School Board Chairman

2022-2023 Tuition Rates & Payment Details

For the 2022-2023 school year, the tuition rate information is outlined below. The School Board has set the tuition rates for next year based upon these three reasons: Much of the tuition dollars from our families are directly funneled to our teachers. Reinstating an industry-standard increase in tuition will cover what The First Academy’s Leadership Team needs to maintain a school of excellence. Prior to the pandemic, tuition rates would increase around 4% per year. With the two-year tuition freeze, we now need to revisit the funds that are necessary to attract and retain our teachers and keep our beautiful facilities maintained. Second, had tuition not been frozen for the past two years, we would be currently moving into the third year of a 4% increase, which would equal a total of a 12% increase over the past three years. The School Board made the decision to move forward with an 8% tuition increase for TFA 5-day, The Classical School, and The First Hope and a 10% tuition increase for Preschool (rather than 12%) to allow a smooth transition for our families. Finally, the cost of all of the supplies that we purchase as a school has risen, and along with that, the cost to hire and retain valuable faculty and

Monthly Payment Plan Schedules

2021-2022

Monthly Payment Plan Schedule: 10 PAYMENTS Payments begin in June 2021 and conclude in March of 2022 2022-2023

Monthly Payment Plan Schedule (and Moving Forward): 12 PAYMENTS Payments begin in April of 2022 and conclude in March of 2023

staff members has risen. This inflation has led to a need to move forward with the 8% tuition increase. Moving the payments to April for the 2022-2023 school year will enhance our fiscal planning of the budget for educational enrollment-related expenditures such as curriculum and instructional supplies as well as personnel expenses for faculty and staff. Continuous Enrollment Deposit Payment Options

Your student is already enrolled for the 20222023 school year (unless they are a graduating senior). Your family’s current enrollment, tuition payment plan, and Tuition Refund Program election will roll over to the 2022-2023 year in FACTS unless changes are made. If you would like to make changes to these elections, please do so during the Enrollment Status Change Period of February 15 through February 25, 2022. You will find frequently asked questions, facts, and contact information should you have any questions about this process on TFA’s Website. The non-refundable deposit for the 2022-2023 school year will be due on March 1 for our returning families. As with prior practice, families may pay for the deposit through FACTS using a credit card.

Tuition Refund Program

For families who select the Tuition Refund Program, the timeline has been updated as outlined below. If the Tuition Refund Program for 2022-2023 is selected during the Enrollment Status Change Period:

∙ Families who withdraw between February 26 -

June 1 will be required to pay 25% of their tuition amount.

∙ Families who withdraw June 1 through August 9

will be required to pay 40% of their tuition amount.

∙ Families who withdraw August 10 and thereafter

owe through the academic quarter for time enrolled and applicable percentage of unused tuition. We pray that 100% of our families will remain in our school family at The First Academy for the 2022-2023 school year. Due to high demand, we can not guarantee space for those who choose to withdraw.

2020-2021 snapshot

state championships

11 44 85 We are proud to serve over Second Generation students

was raised for Royal-Thon. it was hosted by Upper School Students in support of Orlando Health Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children.

4th and 5th Grade Students were Inducted into the National Elementary Honor Society

Student Athletes from the Class of 2021 Committed to Play Intercollegiate Athletics

ap scholars

$80,000

students won Applause Awards through the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts

4th and 5th Grade Students served as members of the National Elementary Honor Society

National Merit Recognized Students

The Class of 2021 completed over community Service/ Missions hours

11,344

tfa is the only independent

school in Orlando with selective accreditation by SAIS, FCIS, CESA, Cognia, And ACSI

Members of the Class of 2021 were Accepted to over Colleges and Universities

120

115

over Churches Represented

Senior Leaders Oversaw

Student Leadership Committees comprised of

105

students

When did you graduate from TFA and where did you go to college? We graduated in 2016, Bella went to Southeastern University and Adam went to the University of Florida. Please tell me about your family, occupation, and/or volunteer service. Adam and I are high school sweethearts. We met our senior year at TFA. After doing long distance for four years through college, with the Lord’s guidance, we knew we were meant to be. We happily got married during the midst of COVID in August 2020. We held a private ceremony with family and friends. We were finally able to celebrate with all our friends and family on October 17th for our wedding celebration. I (Bella) am a Children’s Pastor and licensed minister in the Assemblies of God At Christian Life Church in Columbia, SC. Adam is an Engineer at John Deere. We have two sweet puppies, Sunny and Thunder. We love our church family and are thankful for the blessings we have received over the past five years together. Please tell me where you attend church now and your ministry involvement. We attend church at Christian Life in Columbia, SC, where I am on staff as the Children’s Pastor. Adam serves in our children’s ministry with me. We both love all the children and families the Lord has placed in our lives to minister to. Ministry is a partnership and it has been the greatest blessing to serve and

alumni spotlight

bella & adam edwards

do ministry together. It is true what they say; God does give you more than you can ever imagine or dream of having. How did TFA prepare you for the next steps in your life? Besides bringing Adam and I together, we are thankful for the teachers and staff who invested in us personally and spiritually. What teacher(s) and/or coach(es) had the most impact on your life, why/how? Bella – Sarah Donovan and Melanie Lader are leaders and teachers I will never forget. My senior year I was able to use one of my class periods to serve in Mrs. Lader’s preschool class. This was a huge part of me growing and learning in my love for children berfore I was even called to be a Kids Pastor. Sarah Donovan and Mrs. Lader believed in me and allowed me the time to be right where I needed to be, with God’s precious and beautiful children. I will forever cherish the memories from that special season. Coach Cramer was also a rock for me through sports. He always believed in me and rooted me on. After my first year at SEU, he was the first person to ask me all about my year. It meant a lot to me to know he was praying and excited for my future!

Alexa Deluzio - she is one of the best mentors, coaches, and friends I’ve ever had in my life. I’m thankful for the way she poured into me and drove me to be better! I learned so much about leadership through her and it made me a better leader today. Adam – Coach Wehry, and Coach Mayberry. Each of these men helped me to become who I am today in various ways. Coach Wehry and Coach Mayberry were great mentors to me during high school playing sports and really taught me how to be a man and to develop good character that would take me somewhere in life not only as a man but as a servant leader and husband. I will always be grateful to each of these men and many others for the investment they put into me.

alumni spotlight

courtney fair thomas When did you graduate from TFA and where did you go to college? I graduated from TFA in 2012, and I attended Auburn University. I met my husband Jake in East Asia on the mission field. Right after college, we both moved to East Asia for two years, where we served on the same team sharing the gospel with students who had never heard the name of Jesus. After that, we moved to Birmingham, AL, and got married. Jake has been in seminary for the past three years while I have been working in marketing and data analytics. During this time, we have been praying about where God might send us after seminary. The Lord has given both of us a heart for church planting and for the gospel to reach to the ends of the earth. Jake and I currently attend Grace Fellowship Church in Birmingham, AL. We are preparing to join a church-planting team in Bangkok, Thailand, where we will help establish a network of gospel-centered churches in the city. We will also build relationships with our Thai neighbors and share the hope of Jesus with them.

How did TFA prepare you for the next steps in your life? My time at TFA definitely had a positive impact not only in my faith, but in my calling to global missions. The Great Commission is built into the rhythm of life at TFA. From Apologetics and World Religions, to weekly chapels, the Lord used it all to shape my heart more and more like His. What teacher(s) and/or coach(s) had the most impact on your life, why/how? There were so many teachers at TFA who impacted my life, and I am so grateful for the time I spent learning from them not only in the classroom but by the way they lived. Mr. Kowars taught me to be confident and brave in my writing. Dr. Toenges’ class fueled my budding interest in missions and sharing the gospel with people who have never heard. Mr. Adams and Mrs. Livesay allowed all of us to be ourselves and pursue creativity on stage and off. I am so grateful for all of the teachers and faculty who invested in me. I would not be who I am today without their influence in my life.

teacher spotlight

Alyssa Vallieres FAITH. FAMILY. FIFTH GRADE! Ms. Vallieres is a new addition to our Lower School, joining us as a substitute last year and then as a full-time faculty member this year to teach 5th grade Science, Social Studies, and Bible. Alyssa also leads a High School Bible Study at her church, Spring Meadows Church in Sanford. Ms. Vallieres grew up in Carmel, Indiana, and went to Southern Adventist University to earn her degree in Elementary Education. She was recruited out of college to come down to Orlando to teach at a school called Forest Lake Education Center. After obtaining her Master’s degree, Ms. Vallieres felt that the Lord was leading her in a new direction. She had heard about TFA and the emphasis on God in school and curriculum and decided to apply as a substitute to find out more about The First Academy. Ms. Vallieres loves to teach because she is able to have the opportunity to grow relationships with kids, to take them to the foot of the Cross while still giving them the tools they need to be successful academically. She really enjoys focusing on the whole person and leading them to the path that God has planned out for them. She also enjoys bringing the spiritual component

into science and social studies, emphasizing God our creator and how He will lead us in the future and has been with us throughout history. Since joining the team fully this year, she says it has been a wonderful experience. She is grateful to be a part of the team because Christ is at the center of everything that is done at The First Academy. She loves TFA because she values the relationships that the faculty and staff have and how they are genuine Christians that love the Lord and are unified in their mission to bring students to Christ. There is a team atmosphere and there is support for one another. She also loves how families are heavily involved in their kids’ education and community. There is a real sense of community at The First Academy.

Ms. Vallieres is part of a close-knit family. Her parents moved down to Florida about a year ago and she has an older sister and younger brother who live in the Orlando area, too. She also has a dog named Lexi; she is a Havanese, and she’s ten. She says that “I have been blessed to grow in a God-loving home and be involved in our communities bringing Jesus to those around us as a family. It is extra special now that we get to have family time together since everyone is in Orlando.” In her free time, Ms. Vallieres loves being outdoors in nature, going to the beach, and staying active.

Teacher Spotlight

Christy Requejo TEACHER. MOM. DANCER. Mrs. Requejo is a special gift to The First Academy Middle School. She has taught at TFA for nearly 16 years and currently teaches 8th Science and 6th Grade Math 1. When Mrs. Requejo first arrived at TFA, she taught 6th Grade Science and also taught 6th Grade Bible. Currently, Mrs. Requejo also sponsors a 6th and 7th grade girls Bible Study. Before joining the team at TFA, Mrs. Requejo taught 6th grade Math at Discovery Academy of Lake Alfred, a charter public school. She grew up in Miami and attended Warner Southern University before graduating with a Bachelors of Science in Elementary Education. Mrs. Requejo has been married to her husband Erik for 19 years, and the two met on the dance floor. They met at Atlantic Dance, which used to be a swing dance place to go to seven days a week. They have danced together for 20 years. She and her husband have done some dance competitions, but mostly dance just for fun. They still do it together and look forward to the opportunity to dance again soon! Christy and Erik have two boys who attend TFA, one is a senior (Elvis)

teacher spotlight

Will Zavala and the other is in 8th grade (Tyler). When she first joined the TFA team, she was nervous about being with her kids day after day and how they would feel about having their mom at school with them. Now she says it has been a joy being with them, it has been fun having them both in class. It is neat seeing them with their friends. Christy mentioned that she gets to see a different side of them at school from what she gets to see at home. The Requejo family has two dogs and one catSpeedy, Macey, and Shadow. When we asked Mrs. Requejo why she loves to teach, she said, “I like teaching because you have the ability to influence and encourage kids as they are learning. It’s not just a job where you don’t see the result, but you get to see students learning to enjoy a subject that they may not have enjoyed in the first place. You get to see them become proud of themselves for learning, and that is special.” Mrs. Requejo loves being at TFA for a few reasons. She said that when she taught in public school, she only got to see her students for a few years before they moved onto the next chapter.

At TFA, you get to see a continuing process. She likes to think of it like butterflies - how they blossom into who they are going to become. She said that, “It is such a neat process of watching them grow from Middle School to High School. I love watching who it is that the Lord means for them to be.” Mrs. Requejo really tries to pour into her students. She said, “I think kids, especially today, want to know that they are accepted. They want to know that you care about them. I try to go see their extra-curricular activities, I try to make sure that I am talking to them everyday-checking in with them. I think most of all they want to know that someone cares about them and loves them beyond the walls of academics. You may not love science, but that doesn’t mean you and I can’t connect.” Outside of school, Mrs. Requejo enjoys watching her boys participate in their athletic interests, spending time with her family, and dancing.

TEACHING MATH AND INVESTING IN STUDENTS Mr. Zavala is in his fourth year of teaching at TFA and is making a big impact. He is teaching Geometry for students in 8th through 10th grade and also teaches a section of Algebra and a section of Math for College Readiness (senior level). In addition to these teaching duties, Mr. Zavala is also the sponsor for Mu Alpha Theta, the Math National Honor Society. The society has been on hiatus because of COVID, but they are hoping to get back into it next school year. In a normal year, Mu Alpha Theta would usually attend five in-person competitions in the second semester and two written competitions in the fall. Mr. Zavala looks forward to getting back to competing with the Math National Honor Society. Mr. Zavala grew up in North Florida in Palatka, and attended a small private Christian school from 1st-12th grade. He went to college at UCF and earned his Undergraduate Degree in Math Education with a Teacher Certification in Secondary Math. He recently graduated from UCF with a Masters Degree in Instructional Design. Before joining the TFA team, Mr. Zavala taught at Atlantic Christian Academy in West Palm Beach.

He also taught math there, and the last year that he was there he taught eight different math courses. Mr. Zavala loves to teach because he loves helping students gain more confidence, and math happens to be an avenue that he is good at. Mr. Zavala said, “I tell students that when they graduate, hopefully I gave them the courage to do things outside of just the math skills. Very often, those who I have the most difficulty with in the beginning are the students that I am able to be most successful with. That is my really big joy.” For example, Mr. Zavala talked about a student at his previous school. He was her Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2, and Pre-Calculus teacher and then she graduated. At the time, he doubled teaching and tutoring on the side. The student actually began attending the tutoring center with him. He learned that she was discouraged by math initially, but through all of those years of working with Mr. Zavala, she graduated at the top of her class in the math section and was applying to be a math tutor in another city. Mr. Zavala said, “Her whole attitude changed, and her mom and I would talk about how it affected every aspect of her life. She now had confidence that overflowed into everything else.” Mr. Zavala met his wife while at UCF. He was in a Christian fraternity and she was in a Christian sorority, so their paths crossed regularly. They have now been happily married for nine years and share their two-year-old daughter, Daphne. His wife is a licensed mental health counselor and their family attends Grace Church.

There are several things that make TFA special for Mr. Zavala. He says that the students are great, he loves their willingness to be a TFA family. Seeing things like the Comfort Club, students pouring into each other daily (even outside of Bible Studies), the high comradery, and welcoming spirit for new students are all what makes the TFA community unique. He also said that he has never had such a supportive principal as he does in Dr. Grove and can’t say enough about his welcoming and helpful co-workers. As a parent, TFA has been phenomenal for Daphne. Mr. Zavala describes how he came from an educational background and his wife an emotional background, so

they were always concerned about where to invest with Daphne. She started coming to TFA at 6-monthsold. He can’t put into words how incredible the experience has been. Whatever they’ve done inside those walls, loved on Daphne and taught her...she came home with 10 new vocabulary words, worked on her fine motor skills, and talked about how Jesus loves her, and that’s incredible. Mr. Zavala enjoys woodworking and previously coached soccer. He mentioned that he would love to get back into coaching when his time allows.

A NOTE FROM THE DEVELOPMENT TEAM We are very blessed to have the privilege to partner with a dynamic and diverse community of faith. We are forever grateful to our supporters for recognizing the exceptional value of a Christian education at The First Academy. TFA has been blessed by families and friends who have sacrificially shared their God-given gifts with our school family. Their gifts live on in our students and on our campus every day. The Royal Nation Fund continues to provide for equipment, curriculum, and enhancements which propel a TFA education forward. The Royal Nation Fund is designed and executed so that 100% of the money raised goes directly to our students’ education and school experience. No magazine or candy sales. No running laps. The generosity of ALL of our Royal families is celebrated with The Royal Nation Fund! Our students are blessed with the strongest balance of academic excellence and Christian leadership. This rich and rewarding heritage provides a bright and Christ-centered future for all of our Royals, big and small. This level of excellence would not be possible without the generosity, stewardship, and volunteering spirit of many. Thank you for trusting TFA with your most precious gifts. Sarah Donovan Senior Director of Advancement & Parent Relations Christina Richart Director of Development

Royal Kitchen & Eatery Celebration The First Academy has been built upon a strong foundation by the generosity of our Gospel Patrons. Our students today enjoy a beautiful campus where they are able to grow academically, spiritually, artistically, and athletically because of those who have come before us and made an investment in our future Christian leaders. Last year, TFA was blessed by gifts for Tuition Assistance, Teaching & Learning, the Arts, and Athletics. The largest focus of the Royal Nation Fund last year was the A Campaign For All project. The addition of our Royal Kitchen & Eatery has been a huge success. Our students can now enjoy a healthy and delicious lunch, prepared from scratch, on-campus daily. We were able to complete that project because members of the TFA community gave generously to make that vision a reality. We are so thankful for the financial and prayerful support of our Royal Families & the TFA Community.

LIFETIME GIVING CIRCLES Because of the generosity of our families and friends, TFA is able to build a foundation in the lives of students that will last a lifetime. There is no better way to build that foundation than in the classroom with the love and grace that our teachers have for each student, combined with their passion to teach. One way that we say thank you is through our Lifetime Giving Circles. These circles were created to celebrate families and friends who faithfully include The First Academy in their annual giving. You can learn more about our Lifetime Giving Circles at: thefirstacademy. org/blog/lifetime-giving-circles/.

THE FIRST HOPE

The First Hope was founded in 2009, with an enrollment of six students in its first year. TFH began to accept the McKay Scholarship for students with special needs and expanded to include therapies on campus as well as a variety of program offerings to best meet the needs of their students. TFH’s program is located in the newly renovated Kids 1 space at FBO, formerly known as E1. Exclusive program offerings include General Inclusion, Inclusion Essentials, and Transitions+. The enrollment for The First Hope for the 2020-2021 school year was an amazing 38 students, with 14 families having students at both The First Academy and The First Hope. In 2021, students of The First Hope had their own Homecoming King and Queen, Fall Festival event, and Christmas Program. Students at The First Hope also look forward to who will be awarded as “Student of the Week” each week, a wonderful incentive which students aspire towards. Additionally, The First Hope leads their own chapel services to engage their students in the Word.

Extended Educa

cation Programs

THE CLASSICAL SCHOOL

The Classical School was founded in 2000 when TFA saw a demand for families interested in homeschooling their children. TCS began as an a la carte program, where families could pick and choose the classes they desired. Today, TCS is now offering a full traditional program and a hybrid homeschool program. The Classical School program is located in the newly renovated Kids 2 space at FBO, formerly known as E2. TCS’s traditional program is for students in grades K-8 whose families desire their student to receive all of their learning at home, under the guidance of their families. Also known as an ‘umbrella covering,’ the program allows for parents to participate in standardized testing, portfolio reviews, and guidance in choosing curriculum. TCS’s hybrid program is designed so that the students receive on-campus instruction twice

weekly and work from home under the guidance of their families the other three days. The TCS faculty design the lesson plans for the students. Students are also able to participate in TFA extracurricular activities, for an additional fee. The Classical School alumni have gone on to attend such schools as the University of Michigan, University of Florida, Florida State University, Ringling School of Art and Design, Indiana University, Palm Beach Atlantic, Samford, and Belmont. 2021 TCS Senior College Acceptances included the University of Florida, Florida State University, LSU, University of Tennessee, USF, University of Miami, UCF, and the University of Pittsburgh. The enrollment for The Classical School for the 2020-2021 school year was an amazing 123 students, with 13 families having students at both The First Academy and The Classical School.

tfa championships through the years

championships

regional

championships

district

‘91/’92 - ‘00/’01

state

020-2021 was an outstanding year for our Royal Athletes. We celebrated five District Championships, four Regional Championships, two State Individual Championships, and two State Team Championships. Athletics hosted the Royal Golf Classic at Isleworth Golf & Country Club in November of 2020 and raised nearly $200,000 to benefit our student-athletes! Finally, you can view the impressive statistics to the right, highlighting our TFA Championships throughout the years! One of our key values in athletics is to make disciples who make disciples. We view athletics as an extension of ministry. We don’t just want to play sports, but we want to impact our student-athletes who then can impact others for Jesus Christ. To me, that is the greatest value that the athletic program at TFA can provide to our students. I have so many favorite memories of TFA Athletics. In my seven years as a student, the friendships with my teammates and the teachers are the highlights. In my time on the administrative side, I think back to being on the sideline for many state championships and seeing the joy. However, my favorite memories (it is not just one) are the times where we have baptized our athletes and watched them take their stand for Christ. State Championships are special, but life change is on a whole different level! Will Cohen, Director of Athletics

18 4 2

Football - ‘99, Boys Golf - ‘99, Girls Volleyball - ‘95, Boys Basketball - ‘99, ‘00, ‘01, Girls Basketball - ‘95, ‘96, ‘98, ‘99, ‘01, Baseball - ‘96, ‘97, ‘98, ‘99, ‘00, Boys Track & Field - ‘01, Girls Track & Field - ‘01

Girls Basketball - ‘95, ‘98, ‘99 Baseball - ‘97

Girls Basketball - ‘98, ‘99

‘01/’02 - ‘

25 12 5

- ‘10/’11 Football - ‘01, ‘05, ‘07, ‘08, Girls Golf - ‘04, ‘05 Girls Volleyball - ‘04, ‘05, ‘06, ‘09, ‘10, Boys Basketball - ‘05, ‘06, ‘10, ‘11, Girls Basketball - ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘08, ‘09, Baseball - ‘06, ‘10, ‘11, Boys Tennis - ‘10, Girls Track & Field - ‘09

Girls Volleyball - ‘08, ‘09, ‘10 Boy’s Basketball - ‘05, ‘06, ‘11 Girl’s Basketball - ‘05, ‘06, ‘07, ‘09 Boys Tennis - ‘10, ‘11

Girls Volleyball - ‘08, ‘09, ‘10 Girls Basketball - ‘06, ‘07

11/’12 - ‘20/’21

61 23 11

Cross Country - ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, Football - ‘11, ‘12, ‘14, ‘16, Girls Golf - ‘14, ‘ 16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, Boys Golf - ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, Girls Volleyball - ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, Boys Basketball - ‘12, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘21, Girls Basketball - ‘13, ‘14, ‘16, ‘17, Boys Soccer - ‘14, ‘16, Girls Soccer - ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, Baseball - ‘13, ‘17, ‘19, ‘21, Softball - ‘14, ‘15, ‘21, Girls Tennis - ‘19, ‘21, Boys T&F - ‘12, ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, Girls Track & Field - ‘12, ‘14, ‘15

Football - ‘12, Girls Golf - ‘14, ‘16, ‘17, ‘18, ‘19, ‘20 Boys Golf - ‘19, ‘20, Girls Volleyball - ‘11, ‘12, ‘13, ‘16, Boys Basketball - ‘15, ‘16, Boys Soccer - ‘14 Baseball - ‘21, Girls Tennis - ‘21, Boys Track & Field - ‘13, ‘14, ‘15, ‘16, ‘18

Girls Golf - ‘17, ‘18, ‘20, Boys Golf - ‘19, Girls Volleyball - ‘11, ‘12, ‘16, Boys Soccer - ‘14, Baseball - ‘21, Boys Track & Field - ‘18, ‘19

overall

104 39 18

FINE ARTS The Fine Arts had a tremendous year throughout 2020-2021. Several student-artists in Middle & Upper School received top honors from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), seven students received Superior Ratings, five students received Excellent Ratings, and Troupe 5165 received an Excellent Performance Rating for their One Act at the State Thespian Competition. Four students qualified for the 2020-2021 All State Choir, two students won Applause Awards, two students were also Applause Awards Scholarship Recipients.

The Marching Royals took straight superiors and won gold at the State Competition. In addition, TFA’s violin soloist took Best Soloist in the overall competition and the band took Best Production. The capstone of the year was A Night to Remember, hosted at the Dr. Phillips Performing Arts Center. All of the students did an amazing job showcasing their talent to the over 700 spectators in the audience. From the start of the show with the band taking the audience on a Great Movie Adventure to the choir taking us Somewhere Over the Rainbow, to the Lower School Evening At The Arts students singing their

hearts out to Alice in Wonderland, Seussical, and Music Man; each and every performance was fantastic. TFA allows people to develop their God-given talents and abilities. Because of this, students and teachers alike are inspired to see God in everything they do. With that said, I chose TFA because of this and the opportunity to continue to develop the Fine Arts programming and presence. It is incredible to get to do music every day. Gordon Snyder, Fine Arts Director

EVERY YEAR the Annual Report provides a time

of reflection, measurement, and thanksgiving as we look back on progress made, measure our current state of the school, and celebrate achievements. This year’s Annual Report provides more reasons to rejoice. Investments in facilities and teachers equals investment in our students. The School Board is encouraged as we reflect back on progress made from year to year. However, we can only glance briefly as we know the importance of preparing and planning for the future. The First Academy School Board exists to make viability-focused decisions for the next generation of students who will attend The First Academy. This is done by focusing on the mission, funding the vision, and leaving a legacy of existence for our chil-

dren’s children. As a School Board, we are encouraged as we reflect on our school’s history, a history that motivates us as we pray for and plan for the future. School Board Members: Mr. Clark Keator, Chairman Mr. Jeff Alexander, Vice Chairman Mr. Brian Blair Mrs. Michele Fitch Mrs. Laura Eitel Bishop Derrick McRae Mrs. Nikki Kearn, Class of 2001 Mr. Jason Weiss Archbishop Allen Wiggins Dr. Steve Whitaker, Head of School (ex-officio) Mr. Verne Bragg (Emeritus)