UPPER SCHOOL
PROFILE 2021 THE FIRST ACADEMY is a Christ-centered college 2667 Bruton Boulevard Orlando, FL 32805 Phone: 407.206.8600 Fax: 407.206.8719 CEEB/ACT #101316
ADMINISTRATION Steve D. Whitaker, Ph.D. Head of School Shayne Grove, Ph.D. Upper School Principal Reed Reynolds Upper School Assistant Principal
COLLEGE GUIDANCE Joyce Kwak Director of College Guidance 407.206.8822 joycekwak@thefirstacademy.org Susan Gentry College Advisor 407.206.8633 susangentry@thefirstacademy.org Grayson Merritt College Advisor 407.206.8761 graysonmerritt@thefirstacademy.org
ENROLLMENT Approximately
350
students are enrolled in Upper School
preparatory school serving over 1,200 Central Florida students from Preschool 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 them develop the strength of character that leads young men and women to serve their own communities and across the globe.
ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIP • Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) • Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) • National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) • Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) • Council on Educational Standards & Accountability (CESA) • Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
ACHIEVEMENTS & HONORS ACADEMICS The First Academy boasts a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduating seniors, who have received over $90 million in scholarship offers since 2007. TFA students at every grade level consistently score well above the state and national average on standardized tests. For nearly a decade, more than half of TFA seventh- grade students have qualified for the Duke University Talent Identification Program (TIP) for the academically accomplished. The First Academy has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and has been named to the prestigious list of Blue Ribbon Schools (top 1% of schools in the nation).
The First Academy is a Christ-centered college preparatory school whose mission is to prepare children for life as Christian leaders who choose character before career, wisdom beyond scholarship, service before self, and participation as a way of life.
CLASS OF 2020
116
SENIOR GRADUATES IN THE CLASS OF 2020
$7.5
MILLION EARNED IN SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS
13k
HOURS OF MISSION TRIPS AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
90%
OF SENIORS WERE PART OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ART, ATHLETICS, OR LEADERSHIP
FINE ARTS Students in the visual and performing arts at The First Academy receive the highest possible rankings in theater and band at the district and state level. TFA art students have received awards from such notable entities as the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and Disney’s Festival of the Masters. ATHLETICS TFA Athletics has been a cornerstone of success in Central Florida, earning 97 district titles, 33 regional titles, 57 individual state titles, and 15 team state championships. Nearly 80% of varsity teams advance to regional tournament play each year. The First Academy offers 23 interscholastic sports and is home to two world-class athletic facilities, the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex and the Cramer Family Field House.
50
ROYAL SCHOLARS
20
HUMANITIES SCHOLARS
33
AP SCHOLARS
ACADEMIC RECOGNITION The First Academy has four Honor Roll distinctions based on all credit courses for each nine-week period.
GRADING SCALE GRADE
GPA
A
90-100
4.0-5.0+
B
80-89
3.0-3.999
C
70-79
2.0-2.999
D
60-69
1.0-1.999 0
F
0-59
GRADE POINT AVG. DISTRIBUTION CLASS OF 2021 FOR GRADES 9-11 Weighted GPA
Number
% of
5.0 and higher
24
20%
4.0-4.99
51
50%
3.0-3.99
15
10%
Total students
92
Head of School’s List
GPA of 5.0 and up
Principal’s Honor Roll
GPA of 4.75 - 4.999999
Collegiate Honor Roll
GPA of 4.5 - 4.749999
Honor Roll
GPA of 4.00 - 4.499999
Royal Scholars: Seniors who have completed at least nine honors courses and five Advanced Placement courses with a grade of 80% or higher in semester grades.
PROGRAM OF STUDY The academic year is divided into two semesters, each approximately 18 weeks in length. Grades are reported at nine-week intervals.
ENGLISH
English 9 English 9 Honors** English 10 English 10 Honors** English 11 English 11 Honors** English 12 Honors** AP English Language** AP English Literature**
Apologetics Biblical Interpretations: Romans Foundations For Christian Living Foundations of Theology Philosophical Worldview Spiritual Formation
MID RANGE - CLASS OF 2020 & 2021
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES
2016-2020 AdventHealth University Alabama A&M University Alderson-Broaddus College
AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts American Academy of Dramatic Arts American University Anderson University Appalachian State University Arcadia University Arizona State University ArtCenter College of Design Asbury University Auburn University Ave Maria University Azusa Pacific University Babson College Bard College Barry University Baylor University Belmont Abbey College Belmont University Berklee College of Music Berry College Bethune-Cookman University Boston College Broward College Bryant University Butler University California Baptist University California College of the Arts Campbell University Carson-Newman University Case Western Reserve University Cedarville University Central Christian College of the Bible Centre College Chapman University Charleston Southern University Chowan University Citadel Military College of South Carolina Clark University Clarkson University Clemson University Cleveland State University Coastal Carolina University Colby College Colgate University College of Charleston College of Coastal Georgia Colorado School of Mines Columbia College Columbia University Cornell University
Beginning Weightlifting Intermediate Weightlifting Advanced Weightlifting Personal Fitness+ Team Sports I & II Varsity Sports Conditioning
SOCIAL STUDIES American Govt. Honors+** American History Honors** Economics Honors+**
ACT SAT
SAT & ACT SCORE RANGES
Clark Atlanta University
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
CHRISTIAN STUDIES
SCIENCE
Agricultural Science Foundations Anatomy & Physiology Honors** Biology Biology Honors**
World History Honors** World Geography Honors** AP Government & Politics** AP Human Geography** AP Psychology** AP U. S. History** AP World History**
Chemistry Chemistry Honors** Health Science Anatomy & Physiology Honors** Marine Science Honors** Physics Honors** AP Biology** AP Chemistry** AP Environmental Science** AP Physics**
22-29 1150-1240
*Class of 2020 is continuing to take tests throughout the school year.
AP Calculus AB & BC** AP Statistics**
WORLD LANGUAGE
Spanish I & II Spanish II, III & IV Honors** Latin I & II Latin III & Latin IV Honors** Mandarin I & II Mandarin II Honors** AP Chinese Language & Culture** AP Spanish Language & Culture**
ELECTIVES
MATH
Algebra I Algebra I Honors** Algebra II Algebra II Honors** Calculus Honors** Geometry Geometry Honors** Math for College Readiness Probability & Statistics Honors** Pre-Calculus Honors**
2D Art Design+ 2D Portfolio Development+ 3D Art Design+ Band Care & Prevention of Athletic Injury Chorus Ceramics I & II Ceramics III & IV Honors Creating in the World of Mac Creative Writing
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS 25 CREDITS 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE
Debate Digital Cinema I, II & III Drawing & Painting I & II Introduction to Theatre Journalism Musical Theatre Public Speaking Test Preparation English Test Preparations Math Yearbook AP Art History** AP Studio Art 2D** AP Studio Art 3D** AP Studio Art Drawing** AP Computer Science**
+ ½-year credit course ** weighted course AP Advanced Placement Course
English.......................4.0 Math..........................4.0 Science*....................3.0 Social Studies*.........3.0 Christian Studies....2.5
World Languages.........2.0 Physical Education.......1.0 Elective Credits............4.5 Fine Arts........................1.0
*3 or 4 Credits in this academic discipline are required.
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