Raleigh Christian Academy
Raleigh Christian Academy | |
---|---|
K–12 | |
Number of students | 339 |
Campus | Suburban, 25 acres |
Color(s) | Navy, white, and red |
Mascot | Eagles |
Accreditation | AACS, NCCSA |
Tuition | $5,908 (grades 6–12) $5,584 (grades 1–5) |
Affiliation | Beacon Baptist Church |
Website | www |
Raleigh Christian Academy (RCA) is a
. Also referred to as simply Raleigh Christian, the school seeks to educate students in a traditional Christian environment.History
In the fall of 1977, 17 students and 2 teachers met together in the facilities of Beacon Baptist Church (then named First Free Will Baptist Church) in the inaugural year of Raleigh Christian Academy. Pastor Emeritus Randy Cox chose Richard and Gwen Tippett to come and help start the school. With both teaching (and Dr. Tippett doubling as the academy principal) the school began simply with combination classes of kindergarten four- and five-year-olds and first and second graders. Each year, another grade was added, as well as a teacher for that grade. Adding growth slowly and deliberately was by design so that the church could adjust to classroom and faculty needs in a gradual manner.
In 1987, under the leadership of Dr. Tippett, Raleigh Christian Academy produced its very first graduating class with 11 seniors receiving diplomas from the school. Since then, hundreds of students have graduated from Raleigh Christian Academy. Today, RCA has an enrollment in preschool through 12th grade of nearly 350 students, a faculty of 35, and a total staff of 60.
Academics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/ec/Raleigh_Christian_Academy_Office.jpg/220px-Raleigh_Christian_Academy_Office.jpg)
Preschool
RCA offers a preschool program for children aged four. They are introduced to phonics, cursive writing, language development skills, and the Bible. Raleigh Christian Academy's stated goal is to provide essential academic skills and character traits that will prepare them for kindergarten and elementary school.
Kindergarten
In the
Elementary school
RCA's
Middle school
Students have the option to enroll in the academy's accelerated math program. RCA's middle school includes changing classes, lockers, and more prominent field trips. With the academy's curriculum, students also prepare science projects, research projects, take computer classes, and participate in physical education daily.
High school
The stated goal of the academy is to meet the needs and challenges facing students as they prepare for college. During the last fifteen years, RCA's SAT results for graduating seniors has averaged 150 points higher than the North Carolina average and over 100 points higher than the national average. SAT scores average between 1150 and 1250.
Fine arts
Music
Weekly music classes are taught to all students beginning in kindergarten. Students may try out for choirs beginning in fourth grade. The senior high
Art
Weekly art classes are available to all academy students beginning in kindergarten. Art electives are offered to students at RCA beginning in the middle school grades and continuing into senior high school where students can take art courses for credit.
Speech and oratory
Senior high students at Raleigh Christian Academy are required to take a half credit speech and public speaking course as a part of their graduation requirements. Students participate in regular speech and oratory activities on campus and participate in fine arts competitions during the spring semester.
Athletics
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/40/Raleigh_Christian_Academy_Gym_Entrance.jpg/220px-Raleigh_Christian_Academy_Gym_Entrance.jpg)
RCA offers a range of sports for both middle school and high school students. Girls' sports include
Corporal punishment controversy
In 1984, RCA assistant principal Dwight Ausley was found guilty of child abuse, after he paddled a ten-year-old student who failed to complete a homework assignment. School officials stated the paddling was due to the child's defiant behavior when confronted by the teacher and not due to the missed homework assignment. When the child's mother complained to then RCA principal Richard Tippett about the punishment of her child which left bruises for three weeks, Tippett responded by giving her a taped sermon by Pastor Randy Cox (then pastor of the church associated with Raleigh Christian Academy). In the sermon, Pastor Cox (retired) paraphrased a passage from the Bible by stating, "Better a son dead than disobedient." This account has been disputed by the school. During the trial, District Attorney Deborah Shandles stated that "the child lost his breath and lost his balance and he (Ausley) was so engrossed in the beating he did not notice.... He chose to beat a 10-year-old child to teach him a lesson he would not forget for a long time, all for a homework assignment. That is not an accident, that is malice."[2]
On appeal, Ausley was found not guilty by an 11–1 vote. During the appeal, it was discovered that the noted bruising was in fact caused by corporal punishment administered post-incident at home by the child's own father. The superior court judge subsequently dismissed the case. The state appealed the dismissal which brought the case to the court of appeals. The appeals court upheld the superior court's decision to dismiss all charges.[citation needed]
The school no longer uses employee-administered corporal punishment. None of the involved parties are still involved with the school leadership.[3]
References
- ^ Raleigh Christian Academy – Elementary Archived 2007-10-11 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ "How to Prevent VIOLENT CRIMINAL BEHAVIOR in the Next Generation". www.nospank.net. Retrieved 2021-05-08.
- ^ "FACULTY". Raleigh Christian Academy. Retrieved 2021-05-08.