Purpose in Motion Strategic Plan

Purpose In Motion 2020-2030

table of contents Gospel-Centered School Culture Framework

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Letter from Head of School

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Highlights 2013-2023 8 The 2020-2030 Strategic Plan

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The Most Important Elements of our Vibrant Gospel-Centered School Culture 17 Gospel Patrons 26 Leadership 27

Our mission at The First Academy is to prepare children for life as Christian leaders who choose character before career, wisdom beyond scholarship, service before self, and participation as a way of life.

FIVE ASPIRATIONS FOR STUDENTS ONE PURPOSE

GOSPELCENTERED SCHOOL CULTURE

Our purpose is to glorify God by making disciples who make disciples.

n healthy organizations and relationships, what we say and do align with what we believe. The following statements reflect the work of faculty, staff, and students who led a multi-year process of creating a Gospel-Centered School Culture Framework that guides all of us in deepening our understanding of and commitment to the shared values and essential characteristics of this ministry.

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THREE SHARED GOALS

FRAMEWORK

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Become a Devoted Christ Follower

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We want to make sure TFA is a great place to grow the mind, body, and spirit of each student enrolled (Lk. 2:52).

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We want to make sure TFA is a great place for faculty/staff to flourish in their calling (II Thess. 2:14).

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Become a Committed Servant Leader

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Become a Respectful Relationship Builder

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Become a Consistently Honest Communicator

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Become a Relentlessly Hard Worker

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We want to make sure TFA is a great place for family and friends to invest their God-given resources (Prov. 21:5).

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SEVEN CHARACTERISTICS

OF A LIVING CURRICULUM INFLUENCER

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(EVERY EMPLOYEE)

WE BELIEVE STATEMENTS 1 2 3

Live as a Christ Follower

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Model the Life of a Prayer 2 Warrior3 4 Embrace the walk of a Servant 3 Leader4 5 Be a strong Relationship 4 Builder 5 6 Bless others as a Faithful 5 Encourager 6 7 Practice Being a Grateful 6 Communicator 7 8 Utilize the skills of an Engaging 7 Instructor 8 9

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We believe our greatest form of worship is imitating Jesus in the way that He served others (Phil. 2:1-11).

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We believe God entrusts each of us as teachers and coaches with the responsibility to disciple students and lead them to become devoted Christ-followers (II Cor. 3:3).

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always and forever 1 must 2 3 4 We5 6 7 remain on the Gospel of Jesus believe every employee 6Christ that7 redeems8us and guides 9 us in has a personal responsibility 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 responding to every cultural and relational to model for students what it 8 issue9we face (Eph. 2:80).

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We believe the church is a divinely ordained community of Christ-followers who faithfully gather to grow in their faith and love others the way Jesus commanded us to do (Matt. 28:19-20).

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looks like to be a Christ-follower (Heb. 10:24).

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We believe our school community flourishes when we all work cooperatively, putting the needs of others before ourselves (I Cor. 12:14-18).

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We believe our partnership with parents means we work hard to connect families to Jesus and the local church (Deut. 6:6-9).

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We believe being a Christian school teacher is a unique spiritual calling that has the potential to change lives forever (Rom. 12:6-7).

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We believe every student is created in the image of God with the potential to grow in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God (Luk. 2:52).

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WHERE THERE IS NO VISION THE PEOPLE PERISH. PROVERBS 29:18

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Dear Friends and Families, One of the most important things any institution can do on its continued journey to greatness is to form a comprehensive plan describing how it intends to get there.

In essence, it is identifying your purpose, creating a plan, and putting that plan into motion. Once a plan is developed, it must be effectively and clearly communicated to its entire constituency – in our case, our families, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends.

As we began to formulate this plan, it was clear that the collective goal for all segments of our school family was to continue The First Academy’s rise as a leader in spiritual formation, institutional stability, and scholastic excellence. In the following pages, you will find Purpose in Motion, the complete 2020-2030 Strategic Plan.

We are in year three of this robust Strategic Plan, and several initiatives have already been completed or are in process.

We are blessed that our teams have been working diligently to ensure that what we say and do aligns with what we believe as we strive for excellence in everything.

In recent years, God has blessed The First Academy abundantly, and our school community has become stronger than ever.

The servant leadership of our students, staff, parents, and alumni has shined a light in the Central Florida community.

For ten consecutive years, we have sent 11 or more athletes to play intercollegiate athletics; for seven consecutive years, we have had at least one state championship, and we have won a regional championship

for 19 years running. Generous Gospel Patrons have given over $60,000,000 for the advancement of facilities and programs. Fine Arts students continue to outperform their peers, earning Awards of Excellence at the Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival and Superior ratings at State and District Thespian Festivals. The Class of 2023 boasted 22 AP Scholars and 19 thirteen-year seniors.

Since 2010, our graduates have earned more than $125 million in scholarship offers, and 39 students have earned National Merit recognition. In addition, we have completed the Cramer Family Field House, the covered walkways, the Gather space, and the Royal Kitchen & Eatery. We look forward to opening the Natalie Thomas Student Center in early 2024, a multi-pur-

pose space that will serve all of our students and be utilized for chapel, fine arts, athletics, and more.

The path is open for The First Academy to accomplish even more. From cultivating the concept of entrepreneurship within our students to strengthening and enhancing our chapel programming, there is much that we plan to do. I am excited to see what God will do on our campus throughout this decade. In every facet of our institution, the best is yet to come for The First Academy.

Steve D. Whitaker, Ph.D. Head of School

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Highlights

2013-2023

63 TEAM AND INDIVIDUAL FHSAA STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS SINCE 2013

Our Head of School,

Dr. Steve Whitaker,

celebrated his 20th year serving at The First Academy

The MACBOOK PROGRAM

was launched for students in grades 7-12, and all students in grades 3-6 are one-to-one with iPad devices.

Successful completion of

ACCELERATED PATHWAYS

The Gather Space & The Royal Eatery

are offered to students through a variety of AP courses, Dual Enrollment, & Concurrent Enrollment

OVER $125 MILLION

in college scholarship offers since 2010

We have celebrated

430 AP SCHOLARS SINCE 2013 A robust STUDENT LEADERSHIP INITIATIVE was launched, expanding the opportunities for students throughtout Middle & Upper School to craft and develop leadership skills.

145,000 service & mission hours OVER

completed since 2010

OVER $30 MILLION given by generous donors to advance the mission and vision of The First Academy since 2010

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NATIONAL MERIT AWARDS SINCE 2013

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TFA ATHLETES HAVE ADVANCED TO PLAY SPORTS AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL

FACILITY ADDITIONS/ RENOVATIONS: Middle School wing (2014) Black Box Theatre (2014) Alumni Commons (2014)

THE ACADEMIES PROGRAM

Field House (Fall of 2017)

was launched and expanded, with the success of the program allowing for new turf to be placed on the Lower School field.

The Gather Space (2020)

ROYAL SUMMER PROGRAMS have also been strengthened and have grown to serve a larger number of students and families.

Royal Kitchen & Eatery (2022) Baseball Field Renovation & Baseball Locker Rooms (2022) and in the summer of 2023, over 30 TFA students, teachers, and leaders traveled to Israel to walk where Jesus walked and experience firsthand the land of God’s chosen people.

PSAC Track & Field Renovation (2023) Natalie Thomas Student Center (2024)

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The

2020-2030 Strategic Plan

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s we began our journey, we interviewed nearly 350 TFA community members including students, parents, teachers, pastors, and board members. Following the conversations, focus group sessions, and review of S.W.O.T. analysis results, many objectives for the future began to take form. Several goals and opportunities were identified, and those had to be narrowed down in order of importance of what could realistically and fairly be accomplished within a ten-year period.

The Leadership Team, the School Board, and members of our Parent Association were then asked to rank order all of the identified objectives.

As we began to receive those results, the school’s direction for the coming decade began to crystallize and our updated plan for success gained clarity and substance.

Goal 1

We want to make sure that TFA is a great place to grow the mind, body and spirit of each student (Luk. 2:52).

1. Chapel Program: Bolster chapel programs with an alumni and student-led worship team, diverse keynote speakers, and a multi-year scope/ sequence to include educating students on The Five Aspirations of Every Student.

2. Biblical Worldview Integration: Further equip faculty and staff with professional development training and Colson Fellows leadership for curriculum integration. Broaden the Senior Thesis to include multi-grade level preparation in collaboration with The Writing Center.

3. Mission Outreach: Enhance current student service opportunities to include First Orlando partner-

ships, community-wide and international outreach, and student leadership expectations.

4. Student Leadership/ Discipleship Training: Continue to develop the Student Leadership Model in Athletics, Fine Arts, and the Middle & Upper School. Assist Middle & Upper School students in creating a self-development plan by identifying opportunities to further hone their strengths and connect students interested in leadership with key professionals in the field. Work to create K-12 alignment and multi-year scope and sequence.

5. Student Wellness Training: Bolster the student wellness program with student-led Bible studies, chapel speakers, student resources, parent resources, and PK-12 alignment.

6. Internships: Create an Upper School student internship program that includes partnerships with key Central Florida businesses, TFA family businesses, and alumni businesses to give students hands-on experience in their areas of professional interest.

such as Robotics, and to use multi-media technology for Digital Storytelling and Movie Making. Update the K-12 STEM scope and sequence, including a STEM Diploma Endorsement Upper School track and Lower School STEM lab.

7. Entrepreneurship and Business Education: Develop entrepreneurial elective course offerings for Upper School students to create and implement business models, including financial planning. Include course offerings that develop economics and business leadership components.

9. New Student Transitions: Implement new student surveys to identify 2-3 possible initiatives to implement with new students to assist with the transition into TFA in the following areas: Fine Arts, Athletics, Senior Thesis, Bible Knowledge, School Culture, and Leadership Development.

8. STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math): STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math): Enhance STEM-based initiatives to include opportunities for students to participate and compete as a team,

10. Gospel-Centered Diversity: Create and implement a long-term plan that outlines how Gospel-centered unity training related to socio-economic, ethnic, and church backgrounds will be incorporated at all levels based on Ephesians 4.

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Goal 2

We want to make sure that TFA is a great place for faculty/staff to flourish in their calling (2 Thess. 2:14).

1. Curriculum Review: Strategically align new course offerings with existing courses to strengthen writing and analytical thinking, along with the consideration of technology implementation to enhance teaching and learning.

2. Faculty/Staff Connections: Strengthen the school culture by developing opportunities for spiritual renewal, personal connections, and professional growth that lead to a school community that is flourishing.

3. Academic Scorecard: Identify output metrics available by division that may be used to define “success” in different areas of school engagement including the following: a. academic achievement b. spiritual formation c. extracurricular engagement Create a TFA Christian School Scorecard that can be used annually to create goals and benchmark success across areas and divisions including the following areas: Admissions Data, Standardized Test Data, Spiritual Formation, and Extracurricular Engagement.

4. Teaching Fellows: Create a full proposal for a teaching fellows program that includes the following elements:

a. Financial resources to support 1-2 annual teaching fellows b. Identify master teachers to serve as teaching fellow mentors c. Process for identifying targeted content area for potential teaching fellows d. Application and interview process e. Design professional development and school life program 5. Living Curriculum Influencers: Align the annual faculty growth plans, evaluations, and Christian Educator of the Year and Christian Staff Member of the Year to The Seven Characteristics of a Living Curriculum Influencer. Provide resources for the individual spiritual growth of each faculty and staff member.

6. School Culture Team: Bolster the school culture by aligning what we believe, say, and do as faculty members and students in the daily work of teaching and learning.

7. First Orlando Connections: Continue to foster the already strong relationship between the church and school leadership and pursue opportunities to connect our TFA students and families to First Orlando through chapels, pastor speakers, worship team leaders, etc.

8. Professional

9. Certification/ Endorsements: Align professional development leadership and growth opportunities to certification requirements. Parallel faculty and staff compensation step increases to include successful completion of Masters degree, Doctorate degree, and Educational/Biblical certifications, including the Colson Fellows program.

10. K-16 Model: Explore the future viability of expanding the current K-12 model into one that includes post-secondary opportunities leading to the option for students to complete The First Academy with a four-year college degree.

Development: Hire or assign a leader to oversee and enhance a robust professional development plan with a cyclical focus on The Five Aspirations for Every Student and The Seven 11. Teacher Recruitment Refresh the teacher recruitment process Characteristics of a Living Curriculum to proactively prepare for hiring needs Influencer. and to build a bench of strong, qualified faculty candidates.

“The key question with respect to spiritual formation and school culture is not one of admissions, meaning which students can get in and which students can’t. The question is, “Do we have teachers in the classroom who are engaged in and capable of leading students to the feet of Jesus?”

I believe we have the finest faculty in the world and that Dr. Whitaker is leading us to fulfill the mission I desire for TFA - to reach the nations with the Gospel.”

PASTOR DAVID UTH, FIRST ORLANDO

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Goal 3

We want to make sure that TFA is a great place for friends and family to invest their God-given resources (2 Thess. 2:14).

3. Master Plan Need: Create a one-page visual Master Plan of TFA’s campus, artfully showing the buildings that already exist. Identify 5-7 1. Financial Stability: renovations/additions to campus, includContinue to work with the Business Opering Athletic-driven needs, that will assist ations Committee to ensure that there is in carrying out the mission and vision of a strong framework for financial stability.

The First Academy and outline potential Work with the Finance Office to substantial- locations for the new initiatives identified. ly increase the revenue from auxiliaries in 4. Natalie Thomas the next three years.

Gymnasium Remodel: Work with an architect to create plans to 2. Campus Safety: repurpose the Natalie Thomas Gymnasium Conduct a third party safety audit of our into a Student Center at the heart of entire campus. This will include the thorough review of the buildings and grounds. campus. Conduct a feasibility study to identify key Gospel Patrons and potential Secondly, perform a review of all security leadership-level gifts for the project and policies and procedures that will include, and is not limited to, drills and preventative then launch a public campaign to fully fund the new space that will serve as a measures related to safety and security.

Fine Arts, Chapel, and Athletic venue.

5. Multi-Campus Strategy: Identify key areas in Central Florida to grow Kingdom education and expand The First Academy mission and vision beyond our main Orlando campus. Research top communities that our new families are currently enrolling from, along with viable areas for long-term growth and sustainability for a second TFA campus.

6. Technology Plan: Continue to support the school in the use of technologies that will enhance and strengthen the teaching and learning process to foster student success, enhance support services, and provide for effective administrative systems.

7. Tuition Assistance: Continue to encourage qualifying families to apply for Step Up and other state funding opportunities that would decrease

our dependence on tuition assistance.

Additionally, identify seven to ten major donors who have an interest in giving to tuition assistance. Once this affinity group has been created, work with them to support and bolster the fund for those families who do not qualify for Step Up or other state funding.

8. Covered Lunch Plaza: Obtain designs for a covered lunch plaza to be installed outside of the Gather Space for student dining, special events, and outdoor learning. Identify a small group of donors to assist in funding the project.

9. Capital Improvements/ Replacements: Create a plan for needed recurring capital replacements with a funding structure, including Athletic needs. Create a ten-year plan projecting necessary capital improvements for the school.

10. Enhanced Extended Education Programs: Create a plan to expand The First Hope program offerings to increase student ratios and allow for additional growth and increase The Classical School opportunities for Lower School families to grow in the elementary hybrid homeschool market.

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“Our school board has made it a priority to move toward ever-increasing levels of business excellence as a testimony to the Gospel. We set the school budget, make decisions with respect to what capital campaigns will be approved, review operating expenditures carefully each month, and challenge the leadership team to increase our impact for Christ. I want to thank the gifted men and women who serve on the board. They are generous with their resources, and they are skilled in fiduciary leadership. We also commend Dr. Whitaker and his team for reaching unparalleled levels of institutional stability during the uncertain times at the beginning of this decade.

These have been the greatest years our school has ever known as we have pursued excellence in every area - spiritually, scholastically, and financially.”

CLARK KEATOR, SCHOOL BOARD CHAIRMAN

The Most Important Elements of Our

vibrant GospelCentered School Culture

The items below are designed to bolster the relationship between home, church, and school. These items do not define who is and who is not a Christ-follower. They are not a measure of one’s spiritual maturity. They are simply a set of principles that guide our partnership with parents in raising the next generation of Christian leaders and maintaining a healthy school culture marked by joy, gratitude, and kindness. When someone makes a mistake, we will not judge their relationship with

Jesus. Similarly, when certain behaviors require consequences, we will not describe those administering the consequences as “unchristian” or “unkind” for following through as outlined in the school handbook and in this document. We strive to have a healthy culture where what we believe, say, and do all align.

Our Highest Priority Our highest purpose at TFA is to connect students and their families to Jesus, to others, and to God’s Truth. The Bible is the centerpiece of all we do. It is woven into every subject and it is God’s love letter to those He created. We believe there is no salvation apart from personal faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and that those who reject the Gospel will face suffering for all eternity (Matt. 25:46).

As a ministry of First Orlando, we support the Biblical definition of the family as

outlined in the 2000 Baptist Faith and Message. When considering social issues and controversies, the Bible is our road map.

We are pro-life because God is the creator of life (Ps. 139). We embrace the Biblical teaching regarding racial harmony found in Eph. 4:4-6, rather than popular political theories. In these, and all other matters that arise in the culture, God’s divinely inspired Word is our compass. You can view a comprehensive list of “We Believe Statements” on our website.

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The Church We believe the church is a divinely ordained community of Christ-followers who are called to faithfully gather in order to grow in their faith and learn to love others the way Jesus commanded us to (Matt. 28:19-20). All school employees commit to regular church attendance and we encourage every enrolled family to do the same, at First Orlando, or a Bible-believing church of their choosing. When disaster strikes, we serve our community, state, and nation in partnership with First Orlando and the North American Mission Board. We serve global missions through First Orlando and the International Mission Board.

The Living Curriculum We refer to our team of faculty and staff members as Living Curriculum Influencers.

To that end, every employee strives to live

out seven core values every day. We will live as devoted Christ-followers, we will model the life of a Prayer Warrior, we will embrace the walk of a Servant Leader, we will be strong Relationship Builders, we will bless others by being Faithful Encouragers, our speech will be that of Grateful Communicators, and we will use the teaching skills of Engaging Instructors.

Our Five Aspirations for Students It is our passion to see every student become a 1) Devoted Christ Follower, 2) Committed Servant Leader, 3) Respectful Relationship Builder, 4) Consistently Honest Communicator, and a 5) Relentlessly Hard Worker. We see our work as being seed planters; some plant, some water, and God brings a harvest in these five areas in His perfect timing.

Curriculum Design and Class Size We choose textbooks and resources that match our stated curricular objectives and are of high educational quality. Our teachers guide instruction; the textbooks do not. When elements of a secular textbook/ resource conflict with our Biblical worldview, we embrace that as a teachable moment. Outstanding teacher quality and curricular alignment are the secrets to our multi-year National Blue Ribbon qualifying test scores, not class size. Class sizes are set by administrators based on student dynamics and teacher profiles, not local public school standards or independent school norms.

Admissions Philosophy We enroll students from Christian and non-Christian families. The school follows a Purpose-Driven Enrollment Framework

when reviewing student applications.

Those parents who support our Great Commission Philosophy, Biblical Values Regarding Marriage and Family, are College-Preparatory Focused, and who desire their students to be trained as Christ-Following Servant Leaders may be considered for enrollment.

The school administration determines which students may be admitted at which grade levels and at what time of the school year. Enrollment is the common, shared work of the institution. Every employee is part of the admissions team and the divisional principals make the final decision on which students are enrolled.

Parent Expectations We have a positive campus culture rooted in clear expectations and mutual trust. In

the unlikely event that a parent disrupts the positive culture by failing to joyfully support the school as outlined in the handbook and in this document, they jeopardize their child’s continued enrollment.

Some examples of unacceptable parent behavior include hosting a party where alcohol/drugs are present, treating school personnel with disrespect, failing to support student discipline measures outlined by the school, spreading negativity within the parent community by criticizing and complaining, inhibiting the work of professional educators by being unduly involved in the daily operations of the classroom/ school, refusing to follow the Matthew 18 conflict resolution process, and treating other parents/students/staff with disrespect (Phil. 2:14-16).

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Church/School Communications We are grateful for the wonderful relationship we enjoy with our founding church.

First Orlando has empowered the Head of School to lead The First Academy, supported by the School Board. The School Board sets tuition, oversees the annual audit, approves the quarterly financial reports, participates in fundraising campaigns by giving and inviting others to do the same, and assists with strategic planning as well as policy development. When TFA issues are brought to First Orlando by a TFA parent, they will be directed back to the Head of School for resolution.

Student Behavior Expectations Apply 24/7 We view our students as positive role models and community leaders.

As such, they are held accountable for their behavior 24 hours per day, seven days per week while enrolled at TFA. If a student’s behavior violates handbook standards or negatively impacts the reputation of First Orlando or TFA, suspension or expulsion may result. All student discipline is done with a heart toward redemption and with a restorative focus. Disciplinary consequences are always confidential and will not be discussed with anyone other than the parent of the child involved.

Successful Students The most successful students at TFA are generally those whose parents resist the urge to rescue them from learning the

valuable lessons that social struggles, academic challenges, athletic disappointments, fine arts frustrations, and the occasional unpleasant disciplinary consequences provided in the school setting.

The parents of resilient students focus on preparing the person, not preparing the path. Parents who model gratitude, joy, and kindness for children give them a strategic advantage in life.

Student ID Badges, Cell Phones, and Social Media Student cell phones may be permitted on campus but must be turned off and out of sight during school hours, including during Chapel, hall changes, Royal Recharge, and lunch. Objectionable social media posts are a public record and will be handled as if the student stood up in class and

spoke the words or showed the image that was posted. The consequences for unacceptable posts include suspension at a minimum but may include dismissal or expulsion. This applies to all students, 24 hours per day, seven days per week while enrolled at TFA. In the event of a suspected social media violation, TFA reserves the right to ask the student to provide access to electronic devices and social media accounts in full transparency. Failure to cooperate in a social media investigation could result in discipline up to and including dismissal. Students are required to wear ID Badges at all times.

Communication and Conflict Resolution So as to provide a healthy work-life balance, employees are not expected to respond to messages before 7:00 am or

after 7:00 pm or on weekends so that they can focus on their own families.

When disagreements occur, the conflict resolution process starts with only those directly involved and follows the process outlined in Matt. 18.

School employees are required to resolve conflicts and solve relational/discipline problems face-to-face with students and parents rather than by email or text. Parent Relations staff handle parent conflict.

The Human Resources staff manages staff conflict. The goals is always to maintain a vibrant Gospel-centered school culture where we experience joy, show kindness, and express gratitude for the blessings we have been given.

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Campus Unity and Expectations Since more about life is “caught’’ than taught, the adults in the school community strive to live in a manner consistent with Biblical teaching. In the case of school employees, there are extensive personnel policies that guide our work.

We preserve campus unity among our fellow employees by avoiding divisive social media posts, negative talk about peers, divisive or disparaging remarks about TFA or First Orlando (or their employees),

and by following Biblical lifestyle issues.

Rom. 13 says we all answer to those in authority. Heb. 13:7 tells us to be supportive of those in authority. Both verses apply to our relationships - students to teachers, teachers to administrators, and administrators to those who have God-given authority over them.

Disciplinary Consequences for Race-Related Incidents Our multi-racial Diversity Committee provides guidance regarding race-related discipline issues, including social media.

Upon confirmation of the facts, any racial language, images, or behavior that is insensitive, hostile, offensive, or intimidating will be reviewed by the committee and will work with divisional administrators to provide a disciplinary recommendation.

Athletic and Arts Concerns We are grateful for our coaches/directors and student-athletes/artists. We see student participation in athletics and the arts as a privilege, not a right. When conflicts arise, they should ideally be brought to the coach/director before anyone else is involved. If talking with the coach/director is not possible, the Athletics Director or Fine Arts Director or Principal will be available. The Assistant Head of School and the Athletics/Arts Appeals Committee may participate as well. Coaches and directors are required to resolve conflicts in person rather than by email or text.

Drug and Alcohol Prevention Helping students make wise choices is of paramount importance at TFA. To that end, the school administration provides guardrails to protect students. Beginning in 9th grade, we have mandatory drug testing for all students. Students who smoke, vape, drink alcohol in any amount, or use illegal drugs while enrolled at TFA (on/off campus, before/after school) will face disciplinary consequences. The school reserves the right to randomly administer drug tests or require ongoing drug testing at any time. Law enforcement resources may be used for drug prevention purposes at the discretion of the Head of School.

These guardrails are to assist students in resisting temptation and to give them another reason to say “no” if pressured to make poor choices.

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Suspension, Dismissal, Expulsion, and Student Searches While such situations seldom occur, the school administration may suspend, dismiss, or expel a student when it deems necessary, with or without parental approval. An appeals process is outlined in the handbook because we believe there is wisdom in a multitude of counselors (Prov. 15:22).

The divisional principal will create a restoration plan following a multi-day suspension, dismissal, or expulsion. To ensure the safety of the school community, student lockers, storage areas, backpacks, and purses may be searched without prior notice if school leaders believe illegal, dangerous, or prohibited items are contained.

Student Safety Students are welcomed each morning as they arrive on campus by designated supervisors.

Controversies and Campus Protests We encourage civil dialogue under the watchful eye of Christian teachers.

However, campus protest activities and divisive political banter are not permitted on campus at any time. We do not permit political apparel, accessories, or promotional materials of any type on campus or at school-sponsored events. Those with differing opinions are welcome to share those in the safety of the classroom and at the discretion of the classroom teacher and divisional administrator. Creating disruptive controversies are counterproductive to campus safety and student wellness. All of this is done so that we can remain focused on teaching and learning in a Gospel-centered environment.

They are greeted between classes in the hallways by teachers and administrators.

There is a campus police presence the entire school day. Students are not to be left unsupervised and must follow restricted area guidelines and avoid being in any place on campus without adult supervision. Restricted areas include, but are not limited to: offices, parking lots, Payne Stewart Athletic Complex, Field House, Natalie Thomas Gym, athletic fields, buildings during lunch, classrooms, and First Orlando. Disciplinary consequences will result for failing to follow these guidelines.

If an employee sees an unsupervised student, the employee will stop and escort that student to a supervised area.

“As our culture continues to degrade and becomes increasingly anti-Christian, it is more critical than ever for our kids to own their faith and be able to understand and defend the fundamental principles of a genuine faith. Having experienced TFA as a parent and board member, I can testify that this institution teaches its students the “what” and the “how” of living a distinctively Christian life. TFA not only prepares its students to thrive post-graduation academically at some of the nation’s finest universities, but the faculty also pour themselves into the spiritual development of the kids, guiding them into a deeper walk with Christ.”

MICHELE FITCH, SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER

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Gospel Patrons Focusing on Common Values We focus on the Biblical values that we all share in common. We defer to parent preferences in areas such as predestination, speaking in tongues, and mode of baptism.

We wish to remain clearly focused on the Gospel and the non-negotiables of our Statement of Faith, and as such avoid theological issues and arguments that may divide.

Thankfulness and Gratitude We are grateful for the opportunity to serve this wonderful family we call The First Academy. Let’s work together to maintain a joyful Gospel-centered school culture that is brimming with hope, opportunity, and gratitude for all that God has and will do in the days ahead!

The First Academy is thriving today because of the generous giving of our Gospel Patrons. These families faithfully made TFA one of their most important charitable organizations and gave financially to grow the school year after year.

The buildings our children enjoy today are a tribute to their sacrificial giving as they believed in and work tirelessly to advance our mission.

As new families enroll at TFA, we want to honor them by communicating that this is a culture where we all need to give more than we are paying in tuition to continue this remarkable journey of excellence. Said differently, we need every family to participate in continuing this legacy of generosity by making an annual gift to TFA whether large or small.

This is a partnership, and we’re counting on you!

Thank you for your heart to invest in TFA. We pray that you will experience what Prov. 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper, and he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed!”

School Board Members Clark Keator, Chairman Jeff Alexander, Vice Chairman Brian Blair

Leadership Team

Laura Eitel

Dr. Steve Whitaker, Head of School

Michele Fitch

Brian Rose, Assistant Head of School

Nikki Kearn, TFA Class of 2001

Sarah Donovan, Assistant Head of School, PK-12 Programs & Parent Relations

Bishop Derrick McRae Archbishop Allen Wiggins

Matt McGee, Assistant Head of School for Extended Education Programs & Spiritual Formation

Verne Bragg, Emeritus

Jennifer Jackson, Lower School Principal

Dr. Steve Whitaker, Ex-Officio

Dr. Natalie Holter, Middle School Principal Dr. Shayne Grove, Upper School Principal Leighann Harris, Senior Director of Finance and Business Development Gissel Valois, Director of Strategic Initiatives Will Cohen, Director of Athletics

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