Best Performing Schools in Florida 2021

FHSAA Board of Directors, FCIS
Board of Directors, ABHE Board of
Directors, and Charter Member for
Council for Educational Standards and
Accountability.
In 2010, Dr Whitaker founded
Neighborhood Charter Schools,
seeking to support urban churches in
establishing charter schools for
severely disadvantaged students. After
completing his Bachelor’s degree in
South Florida, Dr. Whitaker received a
Master of Education from MidAmerica
Nazarene University and a Master of
Arts degree in Education from the
University of Louisville. He also
earned his PhD from the University of
Louisville in Higher Education
Administration. He is married to Tricia
and has three marvelous children who
are TFA graduates (Amanda, Stephen,
and Caleb).
Making Learning Fun
From athletics to fine arts, The First
Academy students have a multitude of
opportunities to develop beyond
academics. Athletic competition is
offered as early as Kindergarten and
culminates with 32 offerings at the
Upper School level. Students also
excel in the performing arts, competing
at the local, regional and state levels in
Choir, Theatre and Band.
Beyond the field or stage, students
often tell us they love electives like
media production, performing arts,
Mandarin, 2D and 3D art and
agricultural science, or extracurriculars
such as Poetry Out Loud, Dance
Marathon, Aquaponics, senior ski trip,
and other student-led interest clubs and
organizations.
Students from The First Academy go
on to excel in whatever career path
they pursue. From lawyers to
engineers, from pastors to Olympic
athletes, The First Academy’s Royals
are prepared from day one for their
future.
The Royal Package
It’s the whole Royal package that The
First Academy has to offer. TFA
provides the strongest balance of
accelerated academics and student
leadership. With a 100% college
acceptance rate, the teachers are
certainly doing their part. The top
reasons why families choose TFA
include:
• World-Class, Caring Teachers
• Individualized Pathways
• Spiritual Formation
• Student Leadership Opportunities
• Championship Athletics and
Award-Winning Fine Arts
Awards and Accolades
The First Academy continues to earn
awards each year including Best
Christian Elementary School 2021,
Orange County’s #1 Christian High
School, Best Private School, Nearpod
Certified School, Apple Distinguished
School.
From lawyers
to engineers,
from pastors to
Olympic
athletes, The
First Academy’s
Royals are
prepared from
day one for
their future.