Welcome Back for Quarter 2!

We are excited for another great quarter at CCS-America! Here are some important dates to remember:

Check out the full 2025-2026 CCS-America academic and sports calendars:

Academic Calendar

Sports Calendar

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CCS-Leland’s Ella Norris wins National SAR History Award!

Ella Norris, an eighth-grade student at CCS-Leland, has earned national recognition by placing fourth in the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) national brochure contest.

The SAR is a non-profit organization committed to preserving American history, promoting patriotism, and educating future generations through educational contests and programs. Each year, it holds the Sgt. Moses Adams Memorial Middle School Brochure contest for students across the country.

Ella’s award-winning brochure focused on the importance of the U.S. Constitution. After winning her school-wide contest, her brochure competed and won at both the local and state SAR chapter levels. It then represented North Carolina at the national competition. At each level, entries were judged on content, creativity, and accuracy.

The results of the national competition were announced at the 27th annual SAR Youth Luncheon on July 15, where Ella was named the fourth-place winner nationwide. To celebrate her accomplishment, the Lower Cape Fear SAR chapter honored Ella at their chapter meeting on Sept. 27. She was treated to lunch, awarded a certificate from the National Brochure Contest Committee, and received a $100 prize.

“We couldn’t be prouder of Ella’s achievement,” said Laurie Benton, Headmaster of CCS-Leland. “Our schools teach and emphasize the importance of patriotism and a strong understanding of our country’s history. Our annual Constitution Day celebrations help reinforce these values. Ella’s dedication and passion for history is evident in her hard work, and it’s great to see her scholarship and talents recognized nationally. It is both an honor to Ella personally, and a tribute to the strong history program at CCS-America.”

Congratulations, Ella! Your CCS-America family is so proud!

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CCS-America in the News

A recent The Washington Times article discussing the important role of entrepreneurship in America highlighted CCS-America for its role in educational innovation based on tradition. In the piece titled “Entrepreneurship: The Underappreciated Economic Engine of America,” author Richard Lorenc mentioned CCS-America (along with other leading charter school networks nationwide) as an example of entrepreneurial success in education.

Lorenc emphasized how CCS-America’s curriculum was “built upon time-proven curricula and teaching methods to produce top-performing schools.” He noted how CCS-America’s approach represents the same spirit of innovation that has driven America’s greatest inventors and entrepreneurs.

CCS-America is and has always been committed to implementing innovations with the goal of enhancing safety, learning, and cost-effectiveness in education. To learn moreabout our specific process and product innovations, check out our Innovations Handbook.

CCS-America is proud to be nationally recognized nationally for our commitment to a classical education model that includes academic rigor, moral virtue, and the pursuit of truth.

Read the full article using the link below:

The Washington Times Article

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Celebrating Constitution Day

Last Thursday, CCS-America students observed Constitution Day, commemorating the signing of the U.S. Constitution on September 17, 1787.

Students celebrated by participating in parades and activities highlighting the importance of the Constitution. Each class made a special poster that was proudly displayed in the parade. Every campus had their own unique additions to the parade and featured a special visitor: the “Father of the Constitution,” James Madison! He gave an inspiring speech and helped lead the parade.

Throughout the day, students learned a lot about our nation’s foundation and Constitution, focusing on the significance of the first three words: “We the People.“

Click the links below to see parade pictures from each campus.

CCS-Leland

CCS-Whiteville

CCS-Wilmington

CCS-Southport’s parade pictures will be uploaded to their Facebook shortly!

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Shakespeare Week

CCS-America wrapped up Quarter 1 with our annual Shakespeare Week! Each year, students and staff celebrate with activities, crafts, and events that illustrate life during Shakespeare’s time, from 1564 to 1616.

This year, everyone enjoyed a magic show from a court jester from No Sleeves Magic, Shakespeare presentations from our middle schoolers, archery demonstrations, and more. There was even a dress-up day where students transformed into their favorite Shakespearean characters, including kings, knights, fairies, and wizards.

Students had a blast while learning about the life and legacy of one of the greatest and most influential writers in history, William Shakespeare!

Join in the Shakespeare Week fun by visiting your school’s Facebook page to see photos of these exciting events!

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Students of the Month: Loyalty

CCS-America’s classical curriculum places a strong emphasis on virtue. Each month, students are recognized for displaying a certain character trait that they explore in the classroom and practice in their daily lives. This trait is also recited daily as a part of the school pledge.

September’s character trait was Loyalty. Loyal students are reliable and committed to their friends, family, and school. This virtue is reflected in the Pledge as “I pledge to be obedient and loyal to those in authority.” Students live out these words by supporting and standing by their friends, respecting authority, and staying true to their values and community.

Congratulations to all CCS-America students who showed outstanding loyalty!

Check out September’s honorees using the links below:

CCS-Leland

CCS-Southport

CCS-Whiteville

CCS-Wilmington

CCS-America Excels on State Tests

Due to the hard work of the CCS-America community, all four CCS-America schools scored impressively high on the North Carolina 2024-2025 End of Grade/ End of Course tests! The scores were released by the NC Department of Public Instruction at the State Board of Education meeting on September 3.

Here are some highlights:

– CCS-Southport earned the HIGHEST combined scores of all public elementary/middle schools in Brunswick County and EXCEEDED growth expectations.

– CCS-Leland EXCEEDED growth expectations and had the second highest Reading scores in Brunswick county, only behind sister school, CCS-Southport.

– CCS-Whiteville EXCEEDED growth expectations and was one of only five schools in their area to exceed growth in overall academic scores.

– CCS-Wilmington met growth expectations achieved a significant 6-point jump in overall school performance.

We are so proud of the CCS-America team’s accomplishments. Great job students, staff, and parents!

FULL PRESS RELEASE: CCS-Southport Outperforms Brunswick County Schools on State Tests

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Soccer Season Begins!

The CCS-America soccer season is here and is off to a great start! Every Thursday, our middle school boys and girls teams hit the field for some fun competition and to show their skills. Sportsmanship, an important part of the CCS-America character education curriculum, is expected and highlighted throughout each game.

The first two games have been very competitive and full of energy. Congratulations to CCS-Leland, CCS-Southport, and CCS-Whiteville for their early wins in the opening games!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our next game on Thursday, September 11th, where CCS-Leland will face off against CCS-Southport at the Leland campus. Come cheer on our incredible athletes!

We are very excited to see where the rest of the season will take us and for another great year of CCS-America middle school athletics. Girls and boys basketball will pick up in the winter, while softball and baseball will take place in the spring.

Click the link below to see pictures from the first games of the year:

Game 1- Whiteville VS Leland

Game 2- Southport VS Whiteville

To take a look at the entire CCS-A 2025-26 Middle School Sports Calendar, click on the link below:

2025-26 Sports Calendar

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Students of the Month: Responsibility

CCS-America’s classical curriculum includes a strong emphasis on virtue. Each month, students are recognized for displaying a certain character trait that they explore in the classroom and practice in their daily lives. This trait is also recited daily as a part of the school Pledge.

Responsibility was August’s character trait. Responsible students take ownership of their thoughts, words, and actions. This virtue is reflected in the Pledge as “I Pledge to keep myself healthy in body, mind, and spirit.” Students embody these words by taking care of themselves, striving for excellence, and fulfilling their duties.

Congratulations to all CCS-A students who showed exceptional responsibility. Check out August’s honorees using the links below!

CCS-Leland

CCS-Southport

CCS-Whiteville

CCS-Wilmington

National Beta Schools of Merit

CCS-Leland and CCS-Whiteville have been named 2024-2025 National Beta Schools of Merit by the National Beta Club, the nation’s largest independent student honor society. The award honors Beta Clubs that include members from all eligible grade levels and reflect a strong commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service.

Both schools also achieved top national rankings at the 2025 National Beta Convention in Orlando. CCS-Whiteville’s Elementary Robotics team (made up of Adam Ahmad, Caleb Hobbs, Hunter Thomas, Ryan Martin, and John Hudson Richardson) placed tenth, while CCS-Leland had two students place individually. Jace Granda placed tenth in 6th Grade U.S. History, and Alex Eaton placed ninth in 7th Grade U.S. History.

“At our school, we strive to cultivate leadership, service, and academic excellence. National Beta embodies all of that and more,” said Laurie Benton, headmaster of CCS-Leland. “I couldn’t be prouder of our Beta Club students. Their achievements reflect not only their dedication and character, but also the spirit of our entire school community.”

Kimberly Patrick, headmaster of CCS-Whiteville, echoed Benton’s sentiment. “Our Beta Club has continued to shine on the national level, and I am so proud of them. These students truly represent what CCS-America is all about.”

Learn More About National Beta Club

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Staff Spotlight: Andrea Vitolo

The Roger Bacon Academy is dedicated to internal growth and promotion. Our leadership works to recognize talent, nurture potential, and promote from within. Andrea Vitolo’s journey illustrates this commitment. Her dedication and drive have taken her from the classroom to a key role in the RBA Corporate Office.

Andrea began her journey at RBA in August 2015 when she joined CCS-Leland as a substitute teacher, primarily supporting 3rd grade classrooms. Just one month later, she accepted a full-time position as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant. She remained in this role for several years, building a strong foundation in early childhood education and experiencing firsthand the impact of an RBA education.

In July 2021, Andrea advanced to the position of Kindergarten Interventionist, where she provided targeted support for students needing additional academic assistance. Her commitment to student success and her growing skill set did not go unnoticed. In November of the same year, she continued her professional growth by joining the RBA Corporate Office as a Finance Assistant. In this role, she continued to expand her knowledge and gained hands-on experience in financial operations.

In 2023, Andrea was promoted to Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, her current role. She now manages payroll processing and employee benefits administration for RBA staff.

Andrea’s journey is a testament to both her hard work and RBA’s strong culture of supporting and promoting talent from within. This month, Andrea celebrates ten years at CCS-America and RBA. We are proud to have her as a member of the RBA family and look forward to all she will accomplish in the years to come.

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CCS-America Dresses for Success!

CCS-America schools have Dress for Success Days throughout the year to help students build the habit of dressing in a nice and professional fashion. While participation is optional, these days are designed to give students the opportunity to experience the benefits of dressing professionally. Research shows that dressing professionally can boost confidence, improve performance, and strengthen communication skills.

Dressing professionally is a lifelong skill, especially in situations where it is important to make a good first impression. Students will carry this habit into college interviews, job interviews, business meetings, and many other future opportunities.

Students will have several chances to wear their Dress for Success outfits throughout the year. The first Dress for Success Day is tomorrow, August 28th. We encourage all students to participate!

Upcoming Dress for Success Days:

September 18th

October 30th

November 25th

December 18th

Visit the links below to get your student’s Dress for Success items:

Dress for Success Collection

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What is Direct Instruction?

All CCS-America schools utilize Direct Instruction, a research-based instructional approach that emphasizes the use of intensive, small group instruction, using carefully designed lessons. Through Direct Instruction, complex cognitive skills are broken down into small units. This creates exciting teacher-student interaction.

“Teachers introduce and model new information, and students show understanding through choral and individual responses. They then receive immediate teacher feedback. As a result, students are fully engaged and become productive, confident learners,” explained CCS-Leland Headmaster, Laurie Benton. 

This summer, the National Institute for Direct Instruction (NIFDI) announced their Silver Star schools, recognizing schools and networks that have demonstrated a long-term commitment to utilizing Direct Instruction programs with fidelity. The Roger Bacon Academy/CCS-America was one of three schools and networks nationwide to receive this honor.

The NIFDI stated, “These campuses have utilized DI programs as their core academic instruction and have shown remarkable results.”

“We are proud of our commitment to Direct Instruction and honored by this national recognition of our success,” stated Headmaster Benton.

Learn More About Direct Instruction

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Back to School Community Events

Our campuses kicked off the school year with their second annual Back to School Community Events! This event was a community favorite last year and was highly anticipated by families and staff alike.

CCS-Leland and CCS-Wilmington held their events after school on Friday, August 8th. Although CCS-Whiteville had to unfortunately cancel due to weather, the other campuses welcomed charter families and local community members for an evening filled with games, food, bounce houses, and a whole lot of fun.

This event was also an opportunity for community members to learn more about our classical curriculum, academic successes, and what makes CCS-America schools so unique. Thank you to all who attended and made it a night to remember!

CCS-Leland Pictures

CCS-Wilmington Pictures

Be sure to remind any friends, family, or neighbors who attended that enrollment is still open for the 2025-2026 school year! Visit www.EnrollRBA.com for more information and to join our amazing school community.

Don’t miss CCS-Southport’s Community Carnival, which will take place this Friday, August 15th. We can’t wait to see you there!

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2025 Wilmington Safety Awards

At CCS-America, safety of our students and staff is a top priority. The Roger Bacon Academy is committed to ensuring that our teachers, students, and staff work in in a safe, supportive, and nurturing environment.

This dedication to safety was recognized at the 2025 Wilmington Safety Awards, an event hosted by the North Carolina Department of Labor and the Wilmington Chamber of Commerce. The ceremony celebrated organizations across southeastern North Carolina that are fostering strong safety cultures.

Thanks to the hard work of our staff and faculty, all four CCS-A campuses, along with the Roger Bacon Academy, received Gold Awards in recognition of their commitment to safety.

“It’s a privilege to recognize businesses that don’t just talk about safety- they lead by example, day in and day out,” said Luke Farley, NC Labor Commissioner. “When you earn this recognition, you’re showing your team that you care- and you’re helping set the standard for others to follow.”

Check out pictures from the ceremony:

Wilmington Safety Awards Photos

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Starting the School Year Strong

We’ve had a great first two weeks back to school! Students across all grade levels have returned with energy, enthusiasm, and a determination to learn. They are already working hard and learning new things. Middle school elective courses are underway, fourth graders have begun learning Latin, and kindergarteners are adjusting and getting used to their new routines.

We are proud of how smoothly this transition back to school has gone and are excited to continue and add to last year’s great academic accomplishments. Thank you to our outstanding staff, students, and families for making the start of the new school year such a success.

Check out what our students have been up to so far:

First Week Photos

As a reminder, we still have seats open in select grade levels across all four campuses! Encourage your friends and neighbors to visit www.EnrollRBA.comto join our CCS-America family.

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Alumni Spotlight: Savannah-Grace Jones

Meet Savannah-Grace Jones, proud alumna and valedictorian of the CCS-Whiteville Class of 2017. The daughter of State Representative Brenden Jones and longtime CCS-Whiteville substitute Angela Jones, Savannah-Grace graduated first in her class from South Columbus High School in 2021. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing with honors from Campbell University, where she was also granted early acceptance into their medical school.

While at Campbell, Savannah-Grace emerged as a strong campus leader and advocate. She held various roles within the Campbell Student Nurses’ Association, the BSN Student Council, the Student Government Association, and the Campbell Healer Collaborative, among others. She notably founded the Campbell University chapter of Young Women for America. In recognition of her outstanding leadership, she was honored at graduation with the prestigious Dr. Nancy Duffy Leadership Award.

Savannah-Grace will soon begin her nursing career in the ICU at McLeod Seacoast Medical Center while continuing to pursue her academic and professional goals. She attributes her passion for learning and leadership to her faith, her family, and the strong academic foundation she received at CCS-Whiteville.

“My teachers taught me that hard work pays off,” said Savannah-Grace. “They showed me that integrity matters, and that the pursuit of excellence is worth every ounce of effort.”

We are proud to have Savannah-Grace Jones as a part of the RBA Alumni family!

At last month’s RBA/CCS-America staff orientation, Savannah-Grace was invited to give a speech to all staff members, including her former headmaster, teachers, and coaches.

Click the link below to watch her full speech about how her RBA education and teachers shaped and inspired her journey:

Savannah-Grace Jones’ Full Speech

If you believe you or someone you know deserves a staff or alumni spotlight, let us know! Fill out THIS FORM to nominate someone for a newsletter spotlight!

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CCS-America Incentive Awards

CCS-America teachers and grade level teams across all campuses work very hard to make sure their students are successful. They give them care, attention, and all the tools students need so they can reach their highest potential. Each year, CCS-America recognizes the grade level teams that have reached various milestones, including 95% attendance, high growth in English, high growth in Math, and high growth in History.

For each merit award earned, the grade team receives a financial award and streamer to attach to their rally flag. Congratulations to the 2024-2025 Incentive Award Winners and to all of our incredible teams of teachers!

Click the links below to see the awarded teams from each campus:

CCS-Leland

CCS-Southport

CCS-Whiteville

CCS-Wilmington

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