{{Use American English|date=August 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}} {{Infobox school | name = The First Academy | native_name = | logo = The First Academy logo.png | image = | caption = | motto = A K4–12 Christ-centered, college-preparatory school | coordinates = {{coord|28.512879|-81.425757|type:edu_region:US-FL|display=inline,title}} | address = 2667 Bruton Boulevard | city = Orlando | state = Florida | country = United States | type = Private Christian | established = {{start date|1987}} | head_of_school = Steve Whitaker | principal = Joyce Kwak, Jennifer Jackson | faculty = | teaching_staff = | grades = Preschool through Grade 12 | mascot = Rowdy the Royal | yearbook = Legacy | website = {{URL|https://www.thefirstacademy.org}} | head_label = Head of School | head_name2 = Assistant Head of School | enrollment = over 1,250 | campus = 162,000 sq. ft. and 20 acres | colors = Royale blue and gold <br>{{color box|blue}} {{color box|gold}} | free_label = Tuition | free_text1 = $8,650–$19,130 Non-US residents pay an additional annual fee of $3,500 }}
'''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.<ref name="about">{{cite web |last1= |first1= |title=About us |date= February 3, 2022|url=https://thefirstacademy.org/admissions/why-tfa/ |publisher=The First Academy |access-date=12 May 2022}}</ref>
== Academics == The First Academy is an Orlando-based private Christian school for students from preschool to 12th grade. It is an Apple Distinguished School{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} and was named Orlando's Best Private School by ''Orlando Magazine'' in 2017,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.orlandomagazine.com/Orlando-Magazine/August-2017/Best-of-Orlando-2017-Kids-Pets/|title=Best of Orlando 2017 - Kids & Pets|website=www.orlandomagazine.com|date=25 July 2017|language=en|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> and the second-best private school by ''Southwest Orlando Bulletin'' in 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.southwestorlandobulletin.com/features/best-of-southwest/|title=Best of Southwest Archives|website=Southwest Orlando Bulletin|date=3 January 2016|language=en-US|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref>
==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 Association<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.fhsaa.org/departments/membership/hs-members#Anchor-23240|title=FHSAA.org {{!}} Member Senior High Schools|website=www.fhsaa.org|language=en|access-date=2018-08-28}}</ref> (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 [https://thefirstacademy.org/about/diversity/ implemented changes] to improve race relations.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/education/wp/2016/08/30/private-school-teens-held-an-instagram-debate-on-the-n-word-it-went-as-well-as-youd-expect/|title=Private school teens held an Instagram debate on the n-word. It went as well as you'd expect.|last=Wootson Jr|first=Cleve R.|date=August 30, 2016|newspaper=Washington Post|accessdate=May 29, 2018|language=en-US|issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.orlandosentinel.com/features/education/os-first-academy-orlando-racist-comments-20160825-story.html|title=Racist online comments create furor for First Academy|last=Postal|first=Leslie|work=Orlando Sentinel|date=August 25, 2016|accessdate=May 29, 2018}}</ref><ref>https://thefirstacademy.org/about/diversity/ TFA Diversity Statement</ref>
== 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|lc=y}}) in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thecitybeautifulinvitational.com/|title=The City Beautiful Invitational - Basketball Tournament|website=thecitybeautifulinvitational.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-09-28}}</ref>
==Notable alumni== {{alumni|date=October 2025}} *Adam Haseley, baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies *Fletcher Magee, basketball player for Wofford College, All-Time leader in 3-pointers made in NCAA *Teahna Daniels, track sprinter, World and Olympic Medalist
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== *{{official website|https://www.thefirstacademy.org/}}
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{{DEFAULTSORT:First Academy, The}} Category:1987 establishments in Florida Category:Baptist schools in the United States Category:Christian schools in Florida Category:Educational institutions established in 1987 Category:High schools in Orange County, Florida Category:Private elementary schools in Florida Category:Private high schools in Florida Category:Private middle schools in Florida Category:Schools in Orlando, Florida