Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
The First Academy is a Christ-centered, college-preparatory school seeking to partner with Christian families whose students are typically working in the above-average academic range in the classroom and on standardized tests. Other factors that are considered are church involvement, family statement of faith, teacher and pastor recommendations, the student’s history on report cards, their personal behavior, and input from parents and students at the family conference.
The First Academy was founded in 1986. Starting with grades K-6, the school added a grade level each year until our first senior class graduated in 1994. In each of the classes graduating since that time, every graduating senior has been accepted to college.
The First Academy is accredited by the Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).
There are more than 1,200 students enrolled in TFA’s Nursery School, Kindergarten Prep, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, The Classical School, and The First Hope.
The First Academy accepts international students. Students must have a F1 Visa, F2 Visa, or be a dependent on a parent’s Visa. Visitor Visas such as B1 and B2 are NOT accepted. Additionally, all students must be fluent at speaking, reading, and writing English.
In addition to tuition, there is an international fee of $3,750 per student. The First Academy does not offer boarding or homestay through the school for international students.
For more information, visit TFA’s International FAQ page.
Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30 am. Please reference the schedules below for appropriate pick-up times.
Lower School Schedule • Middle School Schedule • Upper School Schedule
The After School Program provides supervised student activities K-Prep through 12th grade, until 6:00 PM. The After-School Program for our K-Prep 3-year-old students provides supervision and activities until 5:00 pm.
Please visit the Tuition & Fees page for this year’s tuition expenses.
Tuition includes most textbooks, technology, and lab use. Please see the Activity Fee list, on the Tuition & Fees page, for a helpful list of most fees and optional charges that may apply to you.
Our uniform provider is Dennis Uniforms. Items can be purchased online or in store at 1101 N. Keller Road, Suite G-3, Orlando, FL 32810. Please review our Uniform Policies in the Parent-Student Handbook or Back to School Packet. Sunshine uniforms are not permitted.
Families may also purchase spirit wear, uniform tops, outwear, and additional Royal gear in person or online at our School Store located in the front of the Cramer Family Field House.
The First Academy accepts multiple scholarships administered by Step Up for Students. However, these scholarships will not cover the full cost of our Tuition and Fees. Families will be financially responsible for the remaining balance. Please reach out to our Business Office for additional information, 407-206-8758.
The First Hope accepts the Family Empowerment Scholarship. To learn more please call 407-206-8801 or visit The First Hope.
The Classical School does not accept scholarships of any kind. To learn more about The Classical School Tuition and Fees, please call 407-206-8762 or visit The Classical School.
The Parent Association is a wonderful way to get involved and stay connected. There are several ways to serve!
Our Fine Arts department provides an outstanding education in the visual and performing arts with an emphasis on Christian Worldview of the Arts. The faculty and staff have created a supportive environment in which students can grow in the fields of visual arts, theatre, expressive arts and music, including band and vocal programs. Students participate in community art festivals and compete in districts and state vocal, band and theatre festivals. Please reference the links below to see what opportunities we have per division:
The First Academy has a solid reputation in the state of Florida for its athletic competition for winning several state, regional and district awards. We are a competitive class 3A school, a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, and offer 23 different sports for boys and girls in grades 6 through 12. Please visit our Athletics page to learn more.
Additionally, The First Academy offers a robust Lower School Program for students in K-Prep through 5th grade. Students have the opportunity to learn and develop athletic skills and explore participation in multiple sports. Please visit our Lower School Athletics page to learn more.
Classrooms are equipped with Wi-Fi, interactive projectors and often whiteboard technology. All students in Grades 7-12, will be issued a personal Macbook laptop for educational use. Students in grades 3-6 are issued a personal iPad for educational use. Students in grades K-Prep-2 will have access to a classroom set of iPads. We also offer different elective opportunities in Middle and Upper School for students to learn more about technology. Please review our Middle and Upper School Course Catalog to learn more.
Additionally, our families enjoy FACTS, a Learning Management System, enabling them to view weekly lesson plans, assignments, grades, and test dates. It also allows our parents to change their information, access school directories, calendars, volunteer opportunities and receive electronic news from school staff.
All students are issued a FACTS Account, and, from Grade 2 and on, receive an @thefirstacademy.org email address and Apple ID. Younger students will learn how to keyboard, while older students will learn the ins and outs of iOS and computing. By graduation, students will be proficient at taking eCourses, navigating eBooks, and researching from the web.
For assistance or more information visit the technology page.
We offer a wide range of after-school activities for KPrep through 12th grade. Please visit the links below to learn more about the opportunities we provide:
- After School Program (Grades KPrep-12)
- Lower School Sports
- The Academies- Lower School Extra-Curriculars
- FHSAA Sports for Middle and Upper School Students
- Upper School Student Life
- Fine Arts
In addition to after-school activities, we also offer summer programming. Visit our Camp Roar page to learn more.
Yes, we offer after-school care for students K-Prep 3’s through 12th grade. Click the links below to learn more.
After-School Program (Grades Kindergarten Prep 3’s-12)
Yes, we are grateful for your kind words to every new family. You can find out more on the Royal Reach Referral Program page.
At The First Academy, we have what is called a “wait pool”. The First Academy’s wait pool is an unranked group of students who have been accepted to The First Academy, and who we prayerfully hope will be able to join our school family. Click here to learn more.
Email admissions@thefirstacademy.org or give us a call at (407) 206-8602 and we will be more than happy to help.
Applicants for Kindergarten Prep (3’s and 4’s) through Grade 2 are required to take in-house admission screening or testing at The First Academy. Applicants for Grades 3 through 12 are required to take the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) proctored at The First Academy. There is a cost of $125 for Grades 3-4 and $150 for Grades 5-12.
Looking to transfer between The Classical School and the Upper, Middle or Lower Schools? Start by completing the form below: