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 Florida Kindergarten Council (FKC), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). Learn more by visiting the Accreditations and Recognitions page.
There are more than 1,400 students enrolled in TFA’s Lower School, Middle School, Upper School, The Classical School, The First Hope, Preschool, and The Virtual Academy with the 2016-2017 year marking the 13th consecutive year of growth.
Students should be four years old by September 1 to be eligible for our K4 program. We have screening sessions scheduled throughout the week to determine the readiness of individual students. See our Admissions Events for scheduled screening dates and times.
Students may be dropped off as early as 7:30am. Please reference the schedule below for appropriate pick-up times.
Lower School Schedule • Middle School Schedule • Upper School Schedule
For an additional fee, the After School Program provides supervised student activities, through 6 pm, available to all students.
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 Hope at The First Academy accepts the McKay Scholarship; all other divisions do not accept any type of scholarship.
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.
The First Academy offers a robust Lower School Program for students in grades K through 5. Students have the opportunity to learn and develop athletic skills and explore participation in nine different sports.
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 2A school, a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, and offer 22 different sports for boys and girls in grades 6 through 12.
Each classroom, Kindergarten through 8th grade, is equipped with iPads, Wi-Fi, interactive projectors and often whiteboard technology. All students in Grades 9-12, will be issued a personal iPad for educational use. Upper School students also can be involved in an in-house television studio.
Our families enjoy RenWeb, 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 RenWeb 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.
There is a wide range of activities for your child. For our Lower School students, we offer ballet, basketball, soccer, flag football, T-ball, baseball, golf, cheerleading and childcare until 6:00 pm. Our Middle and Upper School students enjoy many FHSAA sports, clubs, and fine arts activities.
The Royal Academy of the Arts and Enrichment provides a variety of visual and fine arts activities focused around the Lower and Middle School. These are extended through summertime to all divisions by means of SummerQuest.
Yes, students in grades K4 – 12 may stay until 6:00 p.m. for an additional charge. They may stay every day or drop-in.
Yes, for students in grades 2-12 we offer a prospective student-shadowing program. Just call the Admissions Office to set up a time.
If an applicant is qualified to attend The First Academy but there is no grade-level space available, the applicant’s name will be placed in a “wait pool.” The wait pool is made up of qualified applicants available to fill a specific opening in a specific grade. When and if an opening becomes available, the Admissions Committee will convene and select the most appropriate candidate for the opening. Once a new school year begins, we rollover the applicants to a new pool and will consider them if an opening occurs during the year.
Email admissions@thefirstacademy.org us or give us a call at (407) 206-8602 and we will be more than happy to help.
Looking to transfer between The Classical School or The Virtual Academy and the Upper, Middle or Lower Schools? Start by completing the form below:
