UPPER SCHOOL
PROFILE 2026-2027 THE FIRST ACADEMY is a Christ-centered college 2667 Bruton Boulevard Orlando, FL 32805 Phone: 407.206.8600 CEEB Code 101316
ADMINISTRATION Steve D. Whitaker, Ph.D. Head of School Joyce Kwak Upper School Principal Reed Reynolds Upper School Assistant Principal Stephanie Clark Upper School Assistant Principal Mary Gooseman Upper School Coordinator
COLLEGE GUIDANCE Susan Gentry College Advisor 407.206.8633
Grayson Merritt College Advisor 407.206.8761 Matthew Westol College Advisor 407.206.8660 matthewwestol@thefirstacademy.org
ENROLLMENT Approximately
380
students are enrolled in Upper School
ACCREDITATION & MEMBERSHIP • Florida Council of Independent Schools (FCIS) • Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) • National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC) • Southern Association of College Admission Counseling (SACAC) • Council on Educational Standards & Accountability (CESA) • Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) • Cognia (formerly AdvancEd)
preparatory school serving over 1,600 Central Florida students from Preschool through 12th grade. Since its opening in 1987, TFA has continued to grow the academic, fine arts, athletic, and faith-based programs that have elevated its students to the highest levels of achievement and helped them develop the strength of character that leads young men and women to serve their own communities and across the globe.
ACHIEVEMENTS & HONORS ACADEMICS The First Academy boasts a 100% college acceptance rate for its graduating seniors, who have received over $98 million in scholarship offers since 2007. TFA students at every grade level consistently score well above the state and national average on standardized tests and outperformed our peer institutions by 8.1% on the WrAP test in 2026. The First Academy has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished School and has been named to the prestigious list of Blue Ribbon Schools (top 1% of schools in the nation). FINE ARTS TFA is a college preparatory school with an award-winning visual arts program. Students have received over a million dollars in scholarships and attend art colleges around the world to pursue careers in visual arts. Classes include 2D, 3D, Ceramics, and 3D Printing from beginning to AP level, and TFA sponsors a National Art Honor Society Chapter. Students participate in competitive exhibits and receive numerous awards from beginner to AP level annually through the Windermere Fine Art Show, Downtown Rotary Street Painting Festival, Winter Park Sidewalk Art Festival, Windermere Rotary Art Festival, Florida Art Educators, and National Art Educators Virtual Exhibits. TFA is represented in the Capitol and other Congressional offices with student art through United States Congressional Art Competitions. The 2026 Legacy Yearbook was honored with the Showcase, Gold, and GOAT awards from Varsity Publications for excellence in design, reporting, and photography. In the 2025-2026 school year, TFA’s crossdivisional (6th-12th grade) productions of The Wizard of Oz and You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown earned a total of 22 nominations at the Dr. Phillips Applause Awards, bringing home three major honors: one for "Outstanding Costume Management" and two for "Best Young Performer". TFA’s Thespian Troupe 5165 also excelled at the District Competition, earning one Top Honors award, with several cross-divisional performances advancing to state and national levels. ATHLETICS TFA Athletics continues to be a cornerstone of success in Central Florida, earning 131 district titles, 54 regional titles, 70 individual state titles, and 21 team state championships. The First Academy won the 2020-2021 Class 3A Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup, awarded to the school in each classification that earns the most points based on postseason finishes across all sports. Most recently, TFA finished in the top 5 for Class 2A overall winners for the 2025-2026 school year. The First Academy offers 23 interscholastic sports and is home to two world-class athletic facilities, the Payne Stewart Athletic Complex and the Cramer Family Field House.
GPA DISTRIBUTION - CLASS OF 2027* Weighted GPA
Number
% of
5.0 and higher
19
20%
4.0-4.99
66
70%
3.0-3.99
9
10%
Total students
94
*High school grades earned through 11th grade.
The First Academy is a Christ-centered college preparatory school whose mission 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.
CLASS OF 2026
86
SENIOR GRADUATES IN THE CLASS OF 2026
$7.8
MILLION EARNED IN SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS
21,092.5 SERVICE HOURS
90%
OF SENIORS WERE PART OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ART, ATHLETICS, OR LEADERSHIP
28
ROYAL SCHOLARS
23
HUMANITIES SCHOLARS
57
AP SCHOLARS
ACADEMIC RECOGNITION The First Academy has four Honor Roll distinctions based on all credit courses for each nine-week period. Head of School’s List Principal’s Honor Roll Collegiate Honor Roll Honor Roll
GPA of 5.0 and up GPA of 4.75 - 4.999999 GPA of 4.5 - 4.749999 GPA of 4.00 - 4.499999
Royal Scholars: The Royal Scholars are students who have completed at least 10 Advanced Placement (AP)/Dual Enrollment courses with grades no less than 80% and 13 Honors courses with grades no less than 85% in those courses. Humanities Scholars: Humanities Scholars are students who have completed high level courses in the Fine Arts, Social Sciences, and world language. Humanities Scholars must maintain an 85% or higher in Honors courses; 80% or achieve a 3 or higher on Advanced Placement exams. • 4+ Social Science Credits (at least 1 AP) • 3+ World Languages (at least 1 Honors) • 2+ Fine Arts
PROGRAM OF STUDY The academic year is divided into two semesters, each approximately 18 weeks in length. Grades are reported at nine-week intervals.
ENGLISH
AP Chemistry** AP Computer Science A** AP Computer Science Principles** AP Environmental Science** AP Physics I** AP Physics II**
English 9 English 9 Honors** English 10 English 10 Honors** English 12 Honors** AP English Language** AP English Literature**
CHRISTIAN STUDIES
SCIENCE
American Govt. Honors+** American History Honors** Economics Honors+** World History Honors** World Geography Honors+** AP African American Studies+ ** AP Government & Politics+ ** AP Human Geography**
Anatomy & Physiology Honors** Biology Biology Honors** Chemistry Chemistry Honors** Health Science** AP Biology**
SAT & ACT SCORE RANGES MID RANGE - CLASS OF 2027
COLLEGE ACCEPTANCES 2021-2026
Apologetics** Biblical Formation & Financial Stewardship+** Foundations of Theology+** World Religions**
SOCIAL SCIENCE
ACT SAT
20 - 26 1040 - 1310
*Class of 2027 is continuing to take tests throughout the school year.
Dyersburg State Community College Earlham College East Carolina University East Georgia State College Adelphi University East Tennessee State University AdventHealth University East Texas Baptist University Albertus Magnus College Eastern Kentucky University Albright College Eastern Nazarene College (Closed) Allegheny College Eckerd College American University Edward Waters University Anderson University (South Carolina) Elon University Appalachian State University Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Arizona State University University (Daytona Beach) Auburn University Emerson College Ave Maria University Eugene Lang College of Liberal Babson College Arts at The New School Baldwin Wallace University Fairmont State University Barry University Flagler College Baylor University FL Agricultural & Mechanical Uni. Beacon College Florida Atlantic University Belhaven University Florida Gulf Coast University Belmont Abbey College Florida Institute of Technology Belmont University Florida International University Benedictine University Florida Polytechnic University Bentley University Florida Southern College Berklee College of Music Florida State College at JAX Berry College Florida State University Bethune-Cookman University Fordham University Boston College Fort Valley State University Boston University Francis Marion University Brevard College Franciscan University of Brewton-Parker Christian University Steubenville Bucknell University Franklin and Marshall College Caldwell University Full Sail University California College of the Arts Furman University California Lutheran University Gardner-Webb University California State University Geneva College (Fullerton) George Mason University California State University (LA ) George Washington University Campbell University Georgia Southern University Carnegie Mellon University Georgia Tech Case Western Reserve University Ghent University Central Michigan University Goucher College Centre College Grand Valley State University Cerritos College Guilford College Chapman University Gulf Coast State College Chipola College Hampton University Clemson University Harding University Coastal Carolina University Hawai'i Pacific University College of Central Florida High Point University College of Charleston Hofstra University College of the Holy Cross Houston Christian University Colorado School of Mines Howard University Colorado State University Huntingdon College Columbia International University Indian River State College Columbia University Indiana University (Bloomington) Concordia University (Chicago) Jacksonville University Covenant College Johnson & Wales Uni. (Charlotte) Davenport University Kent State University Daytona State College Keystone College DePaul University LaGrange College Dean College Lehigh University Dickinson College Lenoir-Rhyne University Drake University Liberty University
AP Macroeconomics+ ** AP Psychology** AP U.S. History** AP World History**
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Athletic Performance I, II, III, IV+ Personal Fitness+ Varsity Sports Conditioning+
MATH
Algebra I Algebra I Honors** Algebra II Algebra II Honors** Calculus Honors** Geometry Geometry Honors** Math for College Algebra Probability & Statistics Honors** Pre-Calculus Honors** AP Calculus AB & BC** AP Pre-Calculus** AP Statistics**
WORLD LANGUAGE
Spanish I & II Spanish II, III & IV Honors** Latin I & II Latin II, III, IV Honors** Mandarin I & II Mandarin II Honors** Mandarin III Honors** AP Chinese Language & Culture** AP Latin** AP Spanish Language & Culture**
ELECTIVES
2D Design+ 2D Portfolio Development+ 3D Design+ 3D Printing+ Band I & II Band III & IV Honors** Care & Prevention of Athletic Injury+ Ceramics I & II+ Ceramics III & IV Honors+**
GRADUATION REQUIREMENTS FOR STUDENTS MINIMUM 25 CREDITS 100 HOURS OF COMMUNITY SERVICE Lipscomb University London College of Fashion Louisiana State University Loyola University Maryland Loyola University New Orleans Lynn University Marshall University Maryland Institute College of Art McGill University Mercer University Messiah University Methodist University Miami Dade College Michigan State University Millsaps College Millsaps College Mississippi Christian University Mississippi State University Missouri Southern State University Monmouth College Montclair State University Morehouse College Muhlenberg College New College of Florida New England College New Mexico State University New York Institute of Technology New York University Newberry College North Carolina A&T State Uni. North Carolina State University North Central College North Central Texas College North Greenville University Northeastern University (NYC) Northeastern University Northern Illinois University Northwest Missouri State Uni. Norwich University Nova Southeastern University Oberlin College Oglethorpe University Oklahoma State University Oral Roberts University Ouachita Baptist University Pace University (NYC) Palm Beach Atlantic University Penn State University Pensacola State College Pepperdine University Philadelphia University Point University Purdue University Queens University of Charlotte Radford University Regis College Rider University Rochester Institute of Technology Rollins College Rutgers University (Newark) Rutgers University SUNY Fashion Institute of Tech. SUNY New Paltz Saint Leo University Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College
Chorus I & II+ Chorus III+** Classical Mythology+ Drawing & Painting I & II+ Early Childhood Development+ Entrepreneurship+ Guitar I & II+ Introduction to Journalism+ Introduction to Media Production+ Journalism II, III & IV Honors Keyboarding+ Media Production I+ Media Production II, III, IV Honors** Sports Broadcasting Yearbook Editor** AP Cybersecurity AP Studio Art 2D** AP Studio Art 3D** AP Studio Art Drawing**
+ ½-year credit course ** weighted course AP Advanced Placement Course
English.......................4.0 World Languages.........2.0 Math..........................4.0 Physical Education.......1.0 Science*....................3.0 Elective Credits............4.5 Social Studies*.........3.0 Fine Arts........................1.0 Christian Studies....3.0 *3 or 4 Credits in this academic discipline are required.
Salve Regina University Samford University Santa Clara University Santa Fe College Savannah College of Art & Design Savannah State University School of Visual Arts School of the Art Institute of Chicago Seminole State College of Florida Seton Hall University Simpson College Southeastern University Southern Methodist University Spalding University Spelman College St. John's College (Annapolis) St. John's University (New York) St. Thomas University Sterling College Stetson University Stevenson University Stony Brook University Swarthmore College Tabor College Tallahassee State College Temple University Tennessee Technological Uni. Texas A&M University Texas Christian University The Catholic University of America The Citadel The College of the Florida Keys The New School The Ohio State University Thomas University Tri-County Technical College Trinity College of Jacksonville Truett McConnell University United States Naval Academy University of Alabama (Birmingham) University of Alabama University of Arizona University of Arkansas University of California (Berkeley) University of California (Davis) University of California (Irvine) University of California (Los Angeles) University of California (Riverside) University of California (San Diego) Uni. of California (Santa Barbara) University of Central Florida University of Chicago University of Cincinnati University of Colorado (Boulder) Uni. of Colorado (Colorado Springs) University of Connecticut University of Connecticut University of Denver University of Florida University of Georgia University of Houston Uni. of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) University of Kentucky University of Mary Washington
University of Maryland Uni. of Massachusetts (Boston) University of Memphis University of Miami University of Michigan University of Mississippi University of Missouri (KC) University of Mount Saint Vincent University of Nebraska (Kearney) University of New Hampshire Uni. of North Carolina (Asheville) Uni. of North Carolina (Chapel Hill) Uni. of North Carolina (Charlotte) Uni. of North Carolina (Greensboro) Uni. of North Carolina (Wilmington) University of North Florida University of Northern Colorado University of Notre Dame University of Oklahoma University of Olivet University of Oregon University of Pennsylvania Uni. of Pittsburgh (Johnstown) University of Pittsburgh University of Richmond University of Rochester University of San Diego University of San Francisco University of Scranton Uni. of South Carolina (Upstate) University of South Carolina University of South Florida (Sarasota-Manatee) University of South Florida University of Southern California University of Tampa University of Tennessee University of Texas (Arlington) University of Utah University of Vermont University of Virginia University of Washington University of West Florida University of Wisconsin University of the South Valdosta State University Valencia College Valparaiso University Virginia Military Institute Virginia Tech Wake Forest University Warner University Washington University in St. Louis Webber International University Webster University Wesleyan University West Virginia Wesleyan College Western Carolina University Wheaton College William & Mary Wingate University Wofford College Worcester Polytechnic Institute Xavier University Yale University