The First Academy

Specialties

The First Academy is a Christ-​centered, college-​preparatory school serving over 1,100 Central Florida students attending K4 through 12^th 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. The class of 2012 received over 14M in scholarship offers, an average of $ 176,000 per student as well as boasting a 100% college acceptance rate. 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 for academia. The First Academy is a Christian, Private, College-​Preparatory School in Orlando.

History

Established in 1986.

What Makes a Great School?

Every parent wants their child to attend a great school — not just a good school. When my wife and I moved our family to Orlando several years ago, we found a great school in The First Academy.

On the first day of the new school year, I observed with apprehension from a second story window as my middle child walked onto a playground crowded with unfamiliar faces. With a lump in my throat, I watched as he stood alone with his hands in his pockets, obviously filled with uncertainty and nearly paralyzed by fear. What happened next told me much about what makes The First Academy a great school.

It turns out that I wasn’t the only one observing. His teacher saw the worry on his small, furrowed brow, too. She approached my son, took him by the hand, and walked him toward the monkey bars. I could see her bend down and introduce him to several boys who were joyously greeting one another, and so at home within a familiar place… more on TFAs website.

Meet the Business Owner

Steve W.

Business Owner

Dr. Steve D. Whitaker serves as Head of School at The First Academy. Under his leadership, the school has experienced record growth — 1133 students currently enrolled, organizational advancement and recently completed a capital campaign which included a new upper school facility, tennis center, lower school expansion, library renovation, and an athletic field house/​pavilion. Since his arrival in 2003 the generous families of The First Academy have pledged/​given in excess of $ 18 million to advance the strategic plan.

The school is accredited by ACSI/​SACS and is a charter member of the Council for Educational Standards and Accountability. In addition to a college acceptance rate of 100 percent, the academic profile of TFA is second to none. In 2009 the lower school was awarded the distinction of a National Blue Ribbon School.