Virtue and Vice

A Classical Charter Schools of America education provides students not only with superior knowledge in reading, writing, and arithmetic, but also teaches them right from wrong and the difference between virtue and vice. Virtue, demonstrating high moral standards, is taught through such traditional values as courtesy (opening the door), our dress code, our Character Education program, and valuing respect, discipline, and personal responsibility. Our first Law: reward good behavior, you’ll get more of it, embodies the importance placed on doing what is right. A vice is an immoral behavior. Students explicitly learn about virtue and vice through our classical history program, by reading classical literature, and by analyzing virtues and vices through the RBA Rhetoric Program. Education without teaching goodness is a disservice to parents and students alike.   Click below to hear more about the role of virtue and vice in classical education.

Classical Education Video

CCS-America Keeps Standards High

Standards in grading were found to have a big impact on student achievement, according to a 2020 study of NC test data spanning 11 years by the Fordham Institute. Questions answered by the study include: Do students learn more or less from teachers who have higher grading standards? Are effects of grading standards long-lasting? Which racial subgroups are hurt by higher grading standards? Which income subgroups benefit most from high standards? The Fordham study of over 340,000 NC data points confirms the findings of a 2004 Florida study showing that: High grading standards result in higher student performance The effects are long lasting. All racial subgroups benefit significantly All income subgroups benefit significantly For its 22 years, Classical Charter Schools of America has observed the benefits of its rigorous grading standards. 

Link to Fordham Institute Study

The Southport Middle School is Open!

6th and 7th grade students at CCS-Southport have moved into their new buildings. As the natural progression from the elementary program, students have the room to challenge themselves with exploratory labs, projects, service learning activities, and more! “We’re so happy to be in our new space! People step through the doors and recognize right away that it is new and shiny. We get a lot of ‘w0w!’ when people see how great it’s turned out,” says Middle School Office Assistant, Ms. Owen. We can’t wait to see the Southport campus continue to grow with the highly anticipated Auditorium expected to be completed in January 2023 and 8th grade coming in the 2023-2024 school year!

Welcome!

I want to welcome Classical Charter Schools of America’s 2,700 students and their parents to our 23rd year of bringing our unique traditional, classical curriculum to Southeastern North Carolina. For you parents who are new to the CCS-America family, our four schools educate students from six NC school districts. We often get asked how our schools would rank if they were considered an independent school district. Good question. Keeping in mind that our curriculum is not designed to focus on topics that may be covered on the End-Of-Grade tests, the answer is: CCS-America schools excel. Here is how we would have ranked among NC’s 116 districts in 2020-2021 and how we compared to local districts.

Rank    District Served

21          CCS-America

27          New Hanover County

38          Brunswick County

43          Whiteville City

49         State Average

86          Columbus County

104        Bladen County

112        Robeson County

These rankings confirm both our teaching methods and the dedication of our staff as they strive to serve each student’s needs at his or her particular achievement level. We teach to mastery and every child learns. We strive to make learning fun and rewarding, and this year promises to see students rise ever higher among their peers in the state.

Welcome to our family. We look forward to an exciting and productive school year.

Baker A. Mitchell, Founder

State Board Chair Phil Kirk awards Charter to Baker Mitchell

Background

The Roger Bacon Academy was founded in 1999 by Baker Mitchell. After applying for a charter from the State of North Carolina, he started the first school with only 53 students in kindergarten through second grade. Today, RBA’s four Classical Charter Schools of America campuses serve some 2,700 students in grades kindergarten through eighth.

Direct Instruction, the highest quality teachers, and high expectations keep CCS-America students thriving. We use modern technology and verified educational research to maximize teacher effectiveness and improve learning. We couldn’t do it without you, parents! Thank you for entrusting your student’s education with us.

RBA History 

What to Look Forward to This Year!

The 2022-2023 School Year promises to be full of learning, activities, and fun! Here is a sneak peek on what’s to come:

Shakespeare Week          September 12-15

Constitution Day             September 16

Trunk or Treat                 October 28

100^th Day of School        January 13

Handwriting Day            January 23

Read Across America     March 2

FASTAR                            Date TBD

History Bowl                    May 5

Students are encouraged to get involved! CCS-America schools offer extracurriculars like Cheerleading, Archery, BETA Club, and more! Middle school students also participate in electives. Check out the Elective Descriptions here and stay tuned for more events to come!

Important Links and Information

Stay informed and connected with the links below:

The Roger Bacon Academy Website

Classical Charter Schools of America Website

School Calendar 

Stay in Touch

Follow us on Social Media and never miss the exciting things our students are doing!

Facebook:

@therogerbaconacademy

@CCSofLeland

@CCS0fSouthport

@CCS0fWhiteville

@CCSofWilmington

Instagram:

@ccsamerica

Dear Parents and Friends of Classical Charter Schools of America,

As you may know, the Fourth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals (in Richmond) ruled against Charter Day School (CCS-Leland) on June 14, in a 10-6 decision saying in a remarkable 51-plus-page majority opinion that our dress code, in effect, is unlawful. Ten judges supported this decision, while six judges dissented as explained in their 46 pages.

While the majority’s ruling itself is disturbing–and in our opinion wrongheaded and incorrect–what’s more disturbing is its possible consequence as explained in the dissent: the undermining of charter schools, not only here in Southeastern North Carolina, but elsewhere in the state and, indeed, across the country.

That’s because the Court’s majority based its determination on a finding that Charter Day School [and presumably, by extension, all charter schools] is a so-called “state actor.” If this is true, the state can soon be telling us how to teach, what to teach, what textbooks and workbooks we must use, who we can hire to teach, when our schooldays must begin and end, and on and on and on. In other words, schools like ours will eventually become exactly like the mainstream public schools you chose NOT to send your children to. Charter schools, in effect, will disappear.

This is not the end of our fight to remain independent and different (and, we hope you will agree, BETTER). On Thursday, June 23, the Classical Charter Schools of America board of trustees voted unanimously to appeal this erroneous decision to the Supreme Court of the United States.

In the meantime, thank you for your continued encouragement and support. 

We will keep you appraised of events as they unfold.

Best Regards,

Baker Mitchell, Founder

Court Ruling on Dress Code: Ten Majority p. 5-56, Six Dissenting p. 57-83, Three Dissenting p. 84-103

Link to Court Ruling

What Some “Contributors” are Contributing

Response to Forbes Article

Fair Coverage

Arleen Richards from NTD News

New York Post

Washington Examiner

RBA Attorney, Aaron Streett’s Statement

We respectfully disagree with the majority’s opinion. As the six dissenting judges powerfully explain, the majority opinion contradicts Supreme Court precedent on state action, splits with every other circuit to consider the issue, and limits the ability of parents to choose the best education for their children. CDS will continue to provide an excellent education to its students, even as it evaluates the next steps in challenging this mistaken and harmful ruling.