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, academic track record, 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), COGNIA, the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and the Council on Educational Standards and Accountability (CESA).
There are more than 1,600 students enrolled in TFA’s Preschool, Kindergarten Prep, Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, Hybrid Home+School, and Distinct Abilities Learning.
Yes. An applicant is considered an international student if they are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
International applicants should note:
- An international student fee of $3,750 applies
- Tuition must be paid in full
- International students are not eligible for payment plans or tuition assistance.
If you have difficulty uploading documents, they may also be submitted by email, fax, or hand delivery to the Admissions Office.
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 $160 for Grades 3-4 and $155 for Grades 5-12.
To complete your child’s application, families will be asked to upload several required documents.
For all applicants, you will typically need to provide:
- Student photo (headshot)
- Copy of the student’s birth certificate
- Florida Immunization Form (DH-680)
- Florida School Entry Health Physical (DH-3040)
If you have difficulty uploading documents, they may also be submitted by email, fax, or hand delivery to the Admissions Office.
Yes. Some grade levels require additional documentation to help our Admissions Team understand each student’s academic readiness and support needs.
Examples may include:
Preschool / Kindergarten applicants
- Preschool reference form
- Parent reference form
Grades 1–12 applicants
- Current report card
- Final report cards from the previous two years
- Standardized test scores from the previous two years
- Student behavior report
- Teacher references (Math and English)
- Principal, counselor, or headmaster reference
High School applicants (Grades 9–12)
- Unofficial transcripts from the school guidance office
If your child has an existing evaluation or school accommodation plan, please include those documents as well.
After your application is submitted:
- Our Admissions Team will review your application file.
- Additional documents may be requested if needed.
- Your child will be scheduled for the appropriate admissions screening or testing.
Testing requirements include:
- K-Prep through Grade 1: In-house screening at The First Academy
- Grades 2–12: Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE)
ISEE testing fees are:
- Grades 5-12: $165
- Grades 2–4: $130
If your child is offered admission, families will receive an online enrollment packet to complete.
This packet should typically be submitted within five business days to secure your child’s place.
During enrollment you will:
- Create a FACTS tuition account
- Select a payment plan (monthly or annual)
- Complete the enrollment contract
- Submit required fees
Enrollment fees include:
- New Student Fee: $1,250
- Enrollment Deposit:
- $1,000 for Grades K–12
- $650 for K-Prep and Transitional Kindergarten
The enrollment deposit is applied toward the cost of tuition.
If a grade level is full, qualified applicants may be placed in our wait pool.
Families offered a seat from the wait pool typically have:
- 3 days to accept the offer
- 48 hours to complete enrollment once a seat becomes available.
Yes. After enrolling, families may be asked to submit additional documents or complete final steps, including:
- Updated immunization records (DH-680) if needed
- Florida School Entry Physical (DH-3040)
- Signed record release forms
- Athletic physicals for Grades 6–12 athletes (FHSAA requirements)
Students will also purchase uniforms through The First Academy Royal Store before the school year begins.
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
Preschool • Hybrid Home+School • Distinct Abilities Learning
Visit our After School Care and Academies webpages for information on late pick-up and enrichment classes.
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.
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.
Distinct Abilities Learning accepts the Family Empowerment Scholarship. To learn more please call 407-206-8801 or visit Distinct Abilities Learning.
Hybrid Home+School does not accept scholarships of any kind. To learn more about Hybrid Home+School Tuition and Fees, please call 407-206-8762 or visit Hybrid Home+School.
Families can purchase approved TFA uniform tops, spirit wear, outerwear, and additional Royal gear in person or online at our School Store located in the front of the Cramer Family Field House.
Families may purchase uniform-style bottoms from other vendors, but please review our Uniform Policies in the Parent-Student Handbook for approved styles. For more information, visit our Back to School Page
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-3 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.
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 Royal Summer 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)
Looking to transfer between Hybrid Home+School and the Upper, Middle or Lower Schools? Start by completing the form below:
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.