The First Academy

The First Academy
Address
Map
2667 Bruton Boulevard

Orlando
,
Florida

United States
Coordinates28°30′46″N 81°25′33″W / 28.512879°N 81.425757°W / 28.512879; -81.425757
Information
TypePrivate Christian
MottoA K4–12 Christ-centered, college-preparatory school
Established1987 (1987)
PrincipalJoyce Kwak, Jennifer Jackson
Head of schoolSteve Whitaker
GradesPreschool through Grade 12
Enrollmentover 1,250
Campus162,000 sq. ft. and 20 acres
Color(s)Royale blue and gold
   
MascotRowdy the Royal
YearbookLegacy
Websitewww.thefirstacademy.org

The First Academy (TFA), is a private Christian school established in 1987 in Orlando, Florida. The school serves over 1,250 students from preschool to twelfth grade.[1]

Academics

The First Academy is an Orlando-based private Christian school for students from preschool to 12th grade. It is an Apple Distinguished School[citation needed] and was named Orlando's Best Private School by Orlando Magazine in 2017,[2] and the second-best private school by Southwest Orlando Bulletin in 2016.[3]

Athletics

As a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association[4] (FHSAA), The First Academy Royals participate in over 22 interscholastic sports at the varsity, junior varsity and middle school levels.

2016 Incident

In 2016, students at the school caused controversy by holding an "Instagram debate on the N-word"; some former students claimed to have experienced racism and homophobia while attending the institution. School officials denounced what had happened and implemented changes to improve race relations.[5][6][7]

The City Beautiful Invitational

The First Academy hosts a 16-team annual Christmas basketball tournament called the CIty Beautiful Invitational, last contested (as of 2022) in 2019.[8]

Notable alumni

References

  1. ^ "About us". The First Academy. Retrieved 12 May 2022.
  2. ^ "Best of Orlando 2017 - Kids & Pets". www.orlandomagazine.com. 25 July 2017. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  3. ^ "Best of Southwest Archives". Southwest Orlando Bulletin. 3 January 2016. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  4. ^ "FHSAA.org | Member Senior High Schools". www.fhsaa.org. Retrieved 2018-08-28.
  5. ^ Wootson Jr, Cleve R. (August 30, 2016). "Private school teens held an Instagram debate on the n-word. It went as well as you'd expect". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  6. ^ Postal, Leslie (August 25, 2016). "Racist online comments create furor for First Academy". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  7. ^ https://thefirstacademy.org/about/diversity/ TFA Diversity Statement
  8. ^ "The City Beautiful Invitational - Basketball Tournament". thecitybeautifulinvitational.com. Retrieved 2018-09-28.