Wake Christian Academy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Wake Christian Academy |
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| Address | |
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5500 Wake Academy Drive
, North Carolina
27603
United States
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| Coordinates | 35°42′17″N 78°40′8″W / 35.70472°N 78.66889°W |
| Information | |
| Other name | WCA |
| Type | Private school |
| Motto | That Christ might be first |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christian |
| Established | 1966 |
| NCES School ID | 01012616 |
| Head of school | Mike Woods |
| Teaching staff | 62.4 (on a FTE basis) |
| Grades | K–12 |
| Gender | Co-educational |
| Enrollment | 896 (2017–2018) |
| Student to teacher ratio | 14.4 |
| Color(s) | Navy & White |
| Nickname | Bulldogs |
Wake Christian Academy (WCA) is a private Christian school located in Raleigh, North Carolina, in the United States. It welcomes both boys and girls. The school was started in 1966. At that time, public schools in the United States were beginning to allow students of all races to attend together. Wake Christian Academy was founded during this period. The academy teaches students from Kindergarten all the way through 12th grade. It is organized into three main sections for different age groups.
Contents
History of Wake Christian Academy
Wake Christian Academy began in 1966. It was first called Wake Academy. A group of people, including L. C. Purdy, helped start the school. Mr. Purdy had been involved with groups that wanted to keep schools separate for different races.
In 1966, the founders tried to raise money to build a school. They did not raise enough, so they rented a house to start classes. The school board president, H.W. Carey, said he hoped the school would be known for good education. However, he also admitted that the issue of school integration was part of why the school was formed.
In 1969, L. C. Purdy told a reporter that he believed public schools were more focused on integration than on education. The principal at the time, Mrs. Franklin Pierce, said that even though the school was formed to keep students separate, she wanted to improve the school's image.
In 1970, a judge named I. Beverly Lake Jr. spoke at the school. He talked about his concerns regarding school desegregation. He suggested that private schools like Wake Christian Academy offered a good path forward. In May 1970, L. C. Purdy also worked against a public school funding plan. He felt the money would be used more for integration than for education.
In 1971, the government asked private schools to announce that they would accept students of all races. L. C. Purdy first said he did not know about this rule. Later, he stated that the school would not let the government tell them who to admit, even if it meant losing their tax-exempt status. The next month, Mr. Purdy said no Black students had applied to the school. He added that all students needed to have strong academic skills to be considered.
In 1973, a newspaper reported that two private schools in Wake County had lost their special tax status. This happened because they were found to have policies that discriminated based on race.
In 1980, another school called Midway Christian Schools joined with Wake Christian Academy.
What Students Learn and School Approvals
Wake Christian Academy has over 900 students. These students come from areas like Wake, Johnston, and Harnett counties in central North Carolina. The school has special approvals, called accreditations, from two groups: the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) and Cognia. This means the school meets high standards for education.
The school offers a traditional curriculum to help students get ready for college. This includes classes in Spanish, science, and Bible studies for students in grades 1 through 12. Students can also take advanced classes like honors courses, Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and dual enrollment courses. Dual enrollment means students can earn college credits while still in high school.
Fun Activities and Sports
Sports Programs
On September 16, 2015, Wake Christian Academy opened a new building called the Fidelity Bank Field House. This building helps support the school's sports teams, including football, baseball, softball, and soccer. It also has a gym where athletes can train and get stronger.
The school's athletic department offers 13 different sports for both boys and girls. They have 43 teams in total. Wake Christian Academy is part of the North Carolina Independent Schools Athletic Association (NCISAA). They compete in the 3A division and are also part of the Capital City Conference. The school encourages students to help others through their sports activities.
Arts Programs
Wake Christian Academy also has a great fine arts program. Students can explore their creativity in art classes, join the band, participate in drama productions, or sing in the chorus.
How to Join and School Costs
Wake Christian Academy accepts students from kindergarten through 12th grade. To join, families can take a tour of the campus. Then, students need to fill out an application, take some assessments, and have an interview.
The cost of tuition changes depending on the grade level. Financial help is available for families. This help can come from state scholarships or from programs offered by the school itself.
