Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jul 6, 2026

The First Academy

The First Academy (TFA) is a private Christian school established in 1987 in Orlando, Florida. The school serves over 1,250 students from preschool through twelfth grade.

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Jul 6, 2026
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The First Academy
Location
Map
2667 Bruton Boulevard

Orlando
,
Florida

United States
28°30′46″N 81°25′33″W / 28.512879°N 81.425757°W / 28.512879; -81.425757
Information
TypePrivate Christian
MottoA K4–12 Christ-centered, college-preparatory school
Established1987 (1987)
Principal
Joyce Kwak, Jennifer Jackson
Head of school
Steve Whitaker
GradesPreschool through Grade 12
Enrollmentover 1,250
Campus162,000 sq. ft. and 20 acres
ColorsRoyale blue and gold
   
MascotRowdy the Royal
YearbookLegacy
Websitewww.thefirstacademy.org

The First Academy (TFA) is a private Christian school established in 1987 in Orlando, Florida. The school serves over 1,250 students from preschool through twelfth grade.1

Academics

The First Academy is an Orlando-based private Christian school for students from preschool to 12th grade. It is an Apple Distinguished School and was named Orlando's Best Private School by Orlando Magazine in 2017,2 and the second-best private school by Southwest Orlando Bulletin in 2016.3

Language Programs

The language programs at The First Academy consist of Latin, Mandarin, and Spanish. These specific courses are taught by teachers who have a unique testimony each, as some may take place either inside or outside the United States. As in grade 8 students can take a Language Honors Class, giving high school credit early to those who choose to take one of the three classes provided, as midterms will also be provided around halfway through the year for comprehension check.

As a member of the Florida High School Athletic Association4 (FHSAA), The First Academy Royals participate in over 22 interscholastic sports at the varsity, junior varsity, and middle school levels.

2016 Incident

In 2016, students at the school caused controversy by holding an "Instagram debate on the N-word"—some former students claimed to have experienced racism and homophobia while attending the institution. School officials denounced what had happened and implemented changes to improve race relations.567

The City Beautiful Invitational

The First Academy hosts a 16-team annual Christmas basketball tournament called the CIty Beautiful Invitational, last contested (as of 2022) in 2019.8

Notable alumni

References

References

  1. "About us". The First Academy. February 3, 2022. Retrieved May 12, 2022.
  2. "Best of Orlando 2017 - Kids & Pets". www.orlandomagazine.com. July 25, 2017. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  3. "Best of Southwest Archives". Southwest Orlando Bulletin. January 3, 2016. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  4. "FHSAA.org | Member Senior High Schools". www.fhsaa.org. Retrieved August 28, 2018.
  5. Wootson Jr, Cleve R. (August 30, 2016). "Private school teens held an Instagram debate on the n-word. It went as well as you'd expect". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  6. Postal, Leslie (August 25, 2016). "Racist online comments create furor for First Academy". Orlando Sentinel. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
  7. https://thefirstacademy.org/about/diversity/ TFA Diversity Statement
  8. "The City Beautiful Invitational - Basketball Tournament". thecitybeautifulinvitational.com. Retrieved September 28, 2018.
External links