UPPER SCHOOL
PROFILE 2025-2026 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 Ellen Stewart Guidance Assistant 407.206.8631 ellenstewart@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 AdancedEd)
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
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 2025
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 5% annually on the WrAP test in 2024. The First Academy has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and has been named to the prestigious list of Blue Ribbon Schools (top 1% of schools in the nation). FINE ARTS The First Academy is home to a thriving and dynamic Fine Arts community where students explore their creativity through performing, visual, and media arts. In 2025, TFA’s Upper School production of Little Women earned seven nominations at the Dr. Phillips Applause Awards, bringing home three major honors. TFA’s Thespian Troupe 5165 also excelled at the District Competition, with several performances advancing to state and international levels, where TFA earned 4 additional Superiors. In Visual Arts, TFA’s college-prep program has generated over $1 million in scholarships to prestigious art schools worldwide. The Media Production program equips students with industrystandard skills in digital, print, and video production. The 2025 Legacy Yearbook was honored with Gold Recognition from the Florida Scholastic Press Association for excellence in design, photography, and reporting. The TFA Band program offers a wide range of ensembles, including a spirited pep band, a jazz band celebrating the rich traditions of jazz, and a contemporary band that performs at school events.
91
SENIOR GRADUATES IN THE CLASS OF 2025
$8.3
MILLION EARNED IN SCHOLARSHIP OFFERS
20,848 SERVICE HOURS
90%
OF SENIORS WERE PART OF EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES IN ART, ATHLETICS, OR LEADERSHIP
26
ROYAL SCHOLARS
22
HUMANITIES SCHOLARS
38
AP SCHOLARS ATHLETICS TFA Athletics has been a cornerstone of success in Central Florida, earning 6 Citrus League championships, 122 district titles, 51 regional titles, 68 individual state titles, and 21 team state championships. Most recently, The First Academy won the 2020-2021 Class 3A Floyd E. Lay Sunshine Cup which is given to one school that earns the most points based on their postseason finishes in all sports. The First Academy offers 24 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 2026* Weighted GPA
Number
% of
5.0 and higher
24
28%
4.0-4.99
54
63%
3.0-3.99
8
9%
Total students
86
*Highschool grades earned through 11th grade.
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 and 13 Honors courses with grades no less than 80% 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