Cape Fear Academy
Encyclopedia
Cape Fear Academy is a coeducational day school with 630 students and is a non-profit organization unaffiliated with any other institution, group, or church. Cape Fear Academy strives to be "a learning community sharing a commitment to respect, integrity, academic excellence, and service to others."
The school was incorporated in 1966 and opened its doors in September 1967. It was named for the original Cape Fear Academy, an independent school for boys in Wilmington that operated from 1868 until 1916. The present school's first class graduated in 1971.
In the present enrollment model, there is one Prekindergarten of 18 students, and Kindergarten through Grade 5 classes have two sections of 20 students each. Middle School (grades 6-8) and Upper School (grades 9-12) academic sections are composed of no more than 21 students, with up to 60 students enrolled in each of those grades. Cape Fear Academy has enjoyed a stable enrollment; 93% of its students re-enrolled after the 2009-2010 school year.
The school is situated on a 27-acre (110,000 m2) campus. Present facilities include three classroom buildings, three modular units, the Beane-Wright Student Center, and the Bruce B. Cameron Gymnasium, as well as athletic fields and a tennis facility. Additionally, athletic fields, including a synthetic-turf field, have just recently been developed across from the campus entrance on College Road on a 9-acre (36,000 m2) tract. Significant expansion of the campus footprint is occurring presently, which will include a new gymnasium, a fine-arts center, and new roadways.
Cape Fear Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
and also by the Southern Association of Independent Schools
. The school is also an active member of the National Association of Independent Schools
, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, the Educational Records Bureau
, the Independent School Management Consortium, and the College Entrance Examination Board.
Cape Fear Academy offers two types of financial aid: need-based and merit. Approximately 18% of the student body receives some type of financial aid, with the bulk of the awards benefiting students in the Middle and Upper School.
Beginning in seventh grade, students may participate in interscholastic athletics. Approximately 89% of the Middle School students play at least one sport during their tenure. In Upper School, about 90% of the student body plays on at least one team and 53% participate in two or more sports. The athletic program makes it possible for all students to have an opportunity in at least one sport per season.
Upper School has an extensive list of clubs for students ranging from the Interact Service Club and the Quill and Scroll Club to the Surfing Club. Students are encouraged to create clubs where there are groups of interest and a faculty sponsor.
A highly successful element of the Upper School program is theater. Approximately 30% of the student body participates in drama as performers or in technology support. Drama presentations include a range of original and well-known pieces from Shakespeare to musical theater. Performances are held on campus, as well as in local community venues, such as Thalian Hall.
The Upper School has an active student-government association, which includes a branch devoted to community service. Students in Upper School must complete 72 hours of service. One of the student-government vice presidents is charged with facilitating this part of student life. A student judicial council makes recommendations for minor disciplinary infractions.
Cape Fear Academy website
The school was incorporated in 1966 and opened its doors in September 1967. It was named for the original Cape Fear Academy, an independent school for boys in Wilmington that operated from 1868 until 1916. The present school's first class graduated in 1971.
In the present enrollment model, there is one Prekindergarten of 18 students, and Kindergarten through Grade 5 classes have two sections of 20 students each. Middle School (grades 6-8) and Upper School (grades 9-12) academic sections are composed of no more than 21 students, with up to 60 students enrolled in each of those grades. Cape Fear Academy has enjoyed a stable enrollment; 93% of its students re-enrolled after the 2009-2010 school year.
The school is situated on a 27-acre (110,000 m2) campus. Present facilities include three classroom buildings, three modular units, the Beane-Wright Student Center, and the Bruce B. Cameron Gymnasium, as well as athletic fields and a tennis facility. Additionally, athletic fields, including a synthetic-turf field, have just recently been developed across from the campus entrance on College Road on a 9-acre (36,000 m2) tract. Significant expansion of the campus footprint is occurring presently, which will include a new gymnasium, a fine-arts center, and new roadways.
Cape Fear Academy is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
and also by the Southern Association of Independent Schools
Southern Association of Independent Schools
The Southern Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based voluntary organization of more than 340 independent elementary and secondary schools through the South, representing more than 180,000 students...
. The school is also an active member of the National Association of Independent Schools
National Association of Independent Schools
The National Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based membership organization for private, nonprofit, K-12 schools. Founded in 1963, NAIS represents independent schools and associations in the United States, including day, boarding, and day/boarding schools; elementary and secondary...
, the Southern Association of Independent Schools, the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools, the Educational Records Bureau
Educational Records Bureau
Educational Records Bureau is the only not-for-profit educational services organization offering assessments for both admission and achievement for independent and selective public schools for Pre K-grade 12....
, the Independent School Management Consortium, and the College Entrance Examination Board.
Cape Fear Academy offers two types of financial aid: need-based and merit. Approximately 18% of the student body receives some type of financial aid, with the bulk of the awards benefiting students in the Middle and Upper School.
Beginning in seventh grade, students may participate in interscholastic athletics. Approximately 89% of the Middle School students play at least one sport during their tenure. In Upper School, about 90% of the student body plays on at least one team and 53% participate in two or more sports. The athletic program makes it possible for all students to have an opportunity in at least one sport per season.
Upper School has an extensive list of clubs for students ranging from the Interact Service Club and the Quill and Scroll Club to the Surfing Club. Students are encouraged to create clubs where there are groups of interest and a faculty sponsor.
A highly successful element of the Upper School program is theater. Approximately 30% of the student body participates in drama as performers or in technology support. Drama presentations include a range of original and well-known pieces from Shakespeare to musical theater. Performances are held on campus, as well as in local community venues, such as Thalian Hall.
The Upper School has an active student-government association, which includes a branch devoted to community service. Students in Upper School must complete 72 hours of service. One of the student-government vice presidents is charged with facilitating this part of student life. A student judicial council makes recommendations for minor disciplinary infractions.
Cape Fear Academy website