College Guidance
As a college preparatory school, The First Academy is committed to helping students gain entrance into the best colleges fit for a student’s unique college, career and life goals. The First Academy’s Upper School offers a comprehensive guidance program which partners with parents in the development of adolescents for college. College and academic advising is provided by the TFA Guidance office throughout a student’s time in high school.
The Upper School Guidance office helps coordinate standardized testing, college visits, college searches, grade level course scheduling, college fairs, individualized college-prep meetings with students and parents, classroom guidance sessions for students, and community service hours.
Academic Resources
AP exams will take place the week of May 1st through May 12th. The testing will take place on the campus of The First Academy.
We welcome College Admissions Representatives to visit The First Academy. We have times throughout the day and week where Admissions Reps will have access to meet with our Upper School students. We do not offer Lunchroom visits. These visits are coordinated through SCOIR. Please use this resource to find a time that works with your travel schedule. We have a limited number of colleges that we can host at one time so be sure to book your visit early to ensure we have time and space for you!
After you have schedule your visit with us, please familiarize yourself with our Campus Map. We have a large campus and we want to be sure you arrive at the correct building and use the closest parking lots. You can get specific instructions to our building by using the app Waze and following directions to “The First Academy Middle and Upper School”. We look forward to hosting you on campus soon!
Please contact our College Advisor, Susan Gentry, with any questions or concerns.
It is the mission of The First Academy to encourage our students to practice service before self in and outside of the classrooms. Community Service is unpaid and voluntary work (outside of school hours) that helps and benefits others in specific areas in the community and globally.
Click here to view Upper School Volunteer Opportunities.
Complete the following form by making a copy and returning the Community Service Hours Form or submit it online here.
In the Spring current students are given the opportunity to make course requests for the following school-year through FACTS. Instructions for making requests are emailed to each family by the Guidance Office. To assist in this process, the Guidance staff facilitates academic planning with each student throughout their high school career.
Resources: Course Catalog & Curriculum Guide | Schedule Change Request
Questions about your graduation requirements? Contact your guidance counselor.
If your student requires additional assistance with their coursework and is accompanied with a doctor’s diagnosis, The First Academy offers Student Academic Plans through Learning-i.e.. The fee-based resource can provide strategies, adequate time, and materials for success to students who may have different learning needs. Learn More
Approximately $9 million in scholarships are offered each year related to academic excellence, leadership potential, and athletic achievement. As much as we value our academic successes, our goal is to help students choose character before career and wisdom beyond scholarship. Students are encouraged to start researching scholarships prior to their senior year through SCOIR, which includes the National scholarship search option.
Many of our students qualify for the in-state program, Bright Futures Scholarship. To receive application notices about scholarships, deadlines and offers please register at the following directories: scholarshipexperts.com, meritaid.com, schoolsoup.com, and fastweb.com.
Most graduating seniors also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for the best financial packages from colleges. Based on the result of the FAFSA, students will receive federal/state grants and loans. Students can start applying for the FAFSA in October of their senior year.
The First Academy Alumni scholarships are now listed on the Alumni page.
SCOIR, a comprehensive college and career readiness program, is used by the Guidance Department to help connect academic achievement to post-secondary goals. Through SCOIR, a student will complete career research interest assessments, a personality test, and college or career research.
The ACT Registration form closed. Please contact Natalie Holter, natalieholter@thefirstacademy.org regarding availability or the next timeframe.
Some students may wish to supplement their academics with summer coursework. Specifics on course offerings, dates, cost, and registration information are emailed to students in late February when students begin the course scheduling process.Registration for Upper School Summer Courses is closed. Please contact the Guidance Department with any questions.