Cape Fear Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cape Fear Academy |
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| Location | |
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3900 S College Road
, North Carolina
28412
United States
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| Coordinates | 34°10′14″N 77°53′36″W / 34.170651°N 77.893376°W |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
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| Established | September 11, 1967 |
| CEEB code | 344347 |
| Headmaster | Edward M. Ellison |
| Grades | PK3–12 |
| Gender | Co-ed |
| Age range | 3 to 18 |
| Enrollment | 720 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 9:1 |
| Language | English |
| Campus size | 47 acres (19 ha) |
| Color(s) | Blue and gold |
| Athletics | NCISAA |
| Mascot | Captain Fear |
| Nickname | Hurricanes |
| Tuition | $16,800–24,350 |
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Cape Fear Academy is a private school in Wilmington, North Carolina. It teaches students from age 3 (Pre-kindergarten) up to 12th grade. The school opened on September 11, 1967. It was named after an older school, Cape Fear Military Academy, which was open from 1868 to 1916. The first class of students at the current Cape Fear Academy graduated in 1971.
Contents
The History of Cape Fear Academy
Cape Fear Academy was started during a time when public schools were beginning to welcome students of all races. Some private schools, like Cape Fear Academy, were created for white students only. This was a common practice for some schools back then.
Over time, the school changed. In 1984, the first Black student graduated from Cape Fear Academy. Before that, another Black student had attended but left.
In 2005, students at the school voted to change their sports team name. It used to be "The Rebels." They decided to change it to "The Hurricanes."
In 2021, a student filed a lawsuit against the school. The student claimed that the school did not act when she reported unfair treatment. The school first said that federal laws about fair treatment did not apply to them. However, in June 2022, a judge ruled that because the school had accepted federal loans, it needed to follow federal laws about equal rights. This lawsuit brought more attention to the school's past and how it handled fairness for all students.
School Buildings and Campus
Cape Fear Academy has different sections for students of various ages. There are four Pre-kindergarten classes for young children. Then there are classes for Kindergarten through 5th grade. Middle School includes grades 6 to 8, and Upper School is for grades 9 to 12.
The school is built on a large campus that is about 47 acres (19 hectares). It has two main classroom buildings. There is also a gymnasium with six classrooms, a student center called the Beane Wright Student Center, and science labs. Outside, there are many sports fields and a tennis area.
In 2022, the school bought another 11 acres (4.5 hectares) of land next to its campus.
School Recognition and Memberships
Cape Fear Academy is officially recognized by important groups like the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. It is also recognized by the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
The school is a member of several other groups that help independent schools. These include the National Association of Independent Schools and the North Carolina Association of Independent Schools. Being part of these groups means the school meets high standards for education. Cape Fear Academy also offers plans to help families pay for tuition. Most of this financial help goes to students in Middle and Upper School.
Student Activities and Sports
Students at Cape Fear Academy can start playing sports in sixth grade. A large number of older students, about 80%, play at least one sport. Popular sports at the school include soccer, volleyball, tennis, basketball, and lacrosse.
The school also has many clubs for students to join. Some of these are the Beta Club, National History Day, and the National Honor Society. Students can also participate in the YMCA's Youth and Government program.
Cape Fear Academy has a strong theater program. Students put on many different types of plays, from musicals to dramas. The school is special because it is the only high school allowed to perform at Thalian Hall in Wilmington, a well-known theater.
In the Upper School, students have a student government. This group includes an Honor Council that helps with school rules and student behavior. Students in ninth grade and above also need to earn "engagement units" each semester. These units encourage students to get involved in their community. For example, they might attend a community service project or a city council meeting.
Notable Former Students
- Patrick Ballantine, who became a state senator in North Carolina.
- Maddie Hasson, an actress who appeared on the TV show Twisted.
- Reginald Shuford, a lawyer for the ACLU and the first Black student to graduate from Cape Fear Academy.
See also
- New Hanover High School
- John T. Hoggard High School
- Emsley A. Laney High School
- New Hanover County Schools
