School News 10/23/2024

School News 10/23/2024

 

 

Classical Curriculum Spotlight: Penmanship

A key element of the Classical Charter Schools of America curriculum is the teaching of, and emphasis on, proper penmanship. We believe that our students have countless bright ideas to share with the world. The first step in expressing these ideas is ensuring they can be clearly understood through legible writing.

All CCS-A schools introduce penmanship instruction in Kindergarten and continue to incorporate it across each subject throughout all grades. We focus on important skills such as correct pencil grip, letter formation, and letter spacing and size.

Research shows that good handwriting not only enhances creativity and boosts confidence, but also improves overall learning. By prioritizing proper penmanship, we empower our students to get the most out of their education and prepare them for a successful future.

Visit the link below to learn more about our unique classical curriculum:

CCS-A Curriculum

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Charter Schools Continue to Grow Across the Country

A recent report recently released by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools (NAPCS) has found that over the past five years, charter school enrollment has continued to increase across the country, while district schools are facing a sharp decline.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, district schools have lost nearly 1.8 million students, while charter school enrollment has increased by 400,000. This highlights a growing preference among families for diverse educational options.

Starlee Coleman, President and CEO of NAPCS, emphasized that this growth reflects families seeking schools that align with their children’s needs.

“The continued enrollment growth in public charter schools is not just about numbers—it’s about the power of choice and opportunity for families across the country,” she stated. “Every new student who walks through the doors of a charter school represents a family that believes in the promise of public education and the potential for their child’s success. Charter schools are proof that when families are given options, innovation thrives and students excel.”

Read the full article and report here:

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools

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Fall Festival Fun at CCS-Southport

The Southport campus celebrated the arrival of the fall season with their annual Fall Festival, and it was a fantastic success! The school community enjoyed an evening of laughter, joy, and excitement. The festival was filled with fun activities for all, including a bounce house, an obstacle course, inflatable ax throwing, face painting, cornhole, and much more.

Multiple family-friendly organizations (including the Museum of Coastal Carolinas, the Boys and Girls Scouts, the Sunset Harbor Fire Department, and more) were on site with games and prizes as well as engaging presentations, allowing attendees to learn about valuable community resources while still having a great time. 

Food trucks, including the ever-popular Kona Ice truck, added to the festive spirit and made sure that no one went home hungry.

Thank you to the Booster Club, volunteers, and the participating organizations for making the Fall Festival a memorable evening! We look forward to many more events like this that foster connection, community, and fun.

Here’s to a fantastic fall season!

Check out pictures from this fun-filled evening:

Southport Fall Festival

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CCS-Leland Boosterthon is a Success!

CCS-Leland began quarter 2 with an unforgettable Boosterthon! Each day, students participated in daily pep rallies where they learned about fitness, leadership, and the core character values we emphasize at CCS-A. As they collected donations, students celebrated their fundraising achievements with fun prizes at each milestone.

The Boosterthon ended with an exciting Fun Run for K-5 students and a memorable Color Run for middle school students. The students demonstrated incredible spirit- not only in their running, but also in their commitment to supporting their school’s programs.

After tallying the final donations, it was revealed that CCS-Leland exceeded their goal of raising $30,000 for new gym equipment!

To see some of this action-packed day, check out the photos linked below:

CCS-Leland Boosterthon

 

 

 

We Want to Hear From You!

At CCS-America, we value the insights and experiences of our parents and students. Your feedback and thoughts are essential in helping us understand what makes our school special. We invite you to share what you love about our community, your experiences with our teachers, and how our programs have positively impacted your family.

Submit your thoughts HERE for a chance to win a $100 RBA Store gift card! Plus, send in a video testimonial to be entered twice! (Deadline to enter gift card giveaway is 11/26)

 

Spotlight Nomination Form

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!

 

 

 

School News- 10/9/2024

School News- 10/9/2024

 

Welcome to Quarter 2!

Welcome back! We are so excited for another outstanding quarter. Here is what to look forward to:

 For a look at the entire 2024-2025 calendar, click on the link below.

 School Calendar

 

Alumni Spotlight: Scarlet Taylor

Scarlet Taylor, who attended CCS-Leland from 4th to 8th grade, is a true embodiment of determination and success. She graduated from CCS-Leland in 2015 and recently earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she was active in Kappa Delta sorority, the pre-physician assistant club, and had over 800 volunteer hours.

Scarlet currently works as a medical assistant at Tidal Wellness, specializing in aesthetics and integrative medicine. She credits her success to the strong connections she made with her RBA teachers, including Ms. Brangan, Mr. Johnson, and Mrs. Lopez, who inspired her love for learning and instilled confidence in her abilities.

Scarlet was also part of RBA’s first National Champion cheer team, where she learned the value of perseverance. As a first-generation college graduate, she navigated her educational journey with encouragement and support from the RBA community.

Scarlet’s younger brother is a current CCS-A student. Scarlet is excited for him to benefit from the same uplifting educational experience that she had. Her journey shows us all the lasting impact of a supportive educational environment.

“I am so thankful for the teachers at this school,” Scarlet said. “You are all truly impactful.”

Congratulations, Scarlet! We are proud to have you as part of the RBA Alumni family!

Click the link below to see what Scarlet had to say about her time at CCS-A:

Scarlet’s Letter to The RBA Community

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!

 

 

October is National Principals Month!

October is National Principals Month, and we are excited to celebrate our incredible Headmasters and Assistant Headmasters! We are very thankful for their dedication and the hard work they put in to keep CCS-A schools thriving.

– Mr. Steve Smith, Lead Administrator

– Mrs. Laurie Benton, CCS-Leland Headmaster

– Mrs. Jessica Fortier, CCS-Leland Asst. Headmaster

– Mr. Luke Laslovich, CCS-Southport Headmaster

– Mrs. Amanda Sauls, CCS-Southport Asst. Headmaster

– Mrs. Kimberly Patrick, CCS-Whiteville Headmaster

– Mrs. Leslie Strickland, CCS-Whiteville Asst. Headmaster

– Mrs. Jourdan Crawford, CCS-Wilmington Headmaster

If you see them around, take a moment to let them know how much you appreciate them. Let’s make this month extra special for our amazing leaders!

 

 

We Want to Hear From You!

At CCS-America, we value the insights and experiences of our parents and students. Your feedback and thoughts are essential in helping us understand what makes our school special. We invite you to share what you love about our community, your experiences with our staff, and how our programs have positively impacted your family.

Submit your thoughts HERE for a chance to win a $100 RBA Store gift card! Plus, send in a video testimonial to be entered twice!

 

 

 

 

 

School News- 9/25/2024

School News- 9/25/2024

Shakespeare Week 2024

Although cut short by the storm, CCS-America schools ended Quarter 1 by celebrating our annual Shakespeare Week! Every year, students and staff celebrate by participating in activities, crafts, and events that illustrate Shakespearean life.

This year, students and staff enjoyed a Magic Show from a court jester put on by No Sleeves Magic. They also had the unique opportunity to learn about and receive a visit from various raptors from Cape Fear Raptors, including hawks and owls.

Students spent the week learning about the history of the 1500s and 1600s, enjoying classical literature, and acting out some of Shakespeare’s well-known plays. They even dressed up as their favorite Shakespearean characters, such as kings, knights, fairies, wizards, and more!

Check out pictures from this magical week at the link below:

Shakespeare Week Pictures

 

Keynote Speaker: Dr. Walter J. Pories

During our Staff Orientation in early July, we were honored to hear from Dr. Walter J. Pories, a distinguished Professor of Surgery, Biochemistry, and Kinesiology at East Carolina University. Dr. Pories, a Holocaust survivor, shared his remarkable story of resilience and survival, emphasizing the importance of determination and courage- virtues that are highlighted in the CCS-A Pledge.

Dr. Pories has made significant contributions to medicine and research, establishing multiple cancer centers and earning numerous prestigious awards. His pioneering work has not only advanced scientific knowledge, but also encouraged more young women to enter the medical field.

We are grateful to Dr. Pories for sharing his inspiring journey and valuable lessons with our staff.

To watch Dr. Pories’ talk from July, click on the link below:

Dr. Pories July 2024 Talk

 

CCS- Whiteville Welcomes New Headmaster

We are excited to announce the appointment of Kimberly Patrick as the new Headmaster of Classical Charter Schools of Whiteville.

For the past thirteen years, Ms. Patrick has been an integral part of the CCS-Whiteville community, serving as a teacher, coach, and operations coordinator. Most recently, she has excelled as the Assistant Headmaster of CCS-Whiteville’s Middle School, leading her students to exceed academic growth targets in each of her three years.

Ms. Patrick will be supported by her administrative team, with Leslie Strickland as Assistant Headmaster and Leslie Smith as Operations Coordinator. These team members, with over 35 years of combined experience at CCS-Whiteville, have served in multiple positions and received numerous honors, including recent Teacher of the Year Awards for both Ms. Strickland and Ms. Smith.

Please join us in congratulating Headmaster Kimberly Patrick. We look forward to the great things she and her team will accomplish!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

School News- 9/11/24

School News- 9/11/24

 

Exciting Kickoff: CCS-America Soccer Season is Here!

The inaugural season of Classical Charter Schools of America soccer has officially begun, and it’s already shaping up to be a great one! Our boys and girls middle school teams from CCS-Leland, CCS-Southport, and CCS-Whiteville are hitting the field, showcasing their skills and sportsmanship every Thursday.

The first game was exciting and packed full of energy. A big shoutout to the CCS-Leland boys’ team and the CCS-Whiteville girls’ team for their fantastic victories in these early games!

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for our next game on Thursday, September 12th, where CCS-Southport will face off against CCS-Whiteville at the Southport campus. Come cheer on our incredible athletes! Fill the stands with school spirit and show our teams just how much we believe in them.

Go CCS-A teams!!

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

CCS-Leland vs. CCS-Whiteville

To take a look at the entire CCS-A 2024-25 Middle School Sports Calendar, click on the link below:

2024-25 Sports Calendar

 

 

What Does it Mean to Dress for Success?

Throughout the year, CCS-A schools participate in Dress for Success days. While optional for all students, these select days are designed to encourage students to get into the habit of dressing nicely and professionally. Studies have shown that those who dress professionally feel more confident, perform better, and have improved communication skills!

Thank you to all our students and parents who participated in our first Dress for Success Day! It was wonderful to see the confidence and pride each student displayed.

Students will have lots of opportunities to wear their Dress for Success outfits this year. The next optional Dress for Success Day is Thursday, September 19th

Visit the links below to see what our Dress for Success students are wearing and to get your student’s Dress for Success items:

Dress for Success Pictures

ShopRBA.school

 

Students of the Month

Virtue is an important part of CCS-America’s classical curriculum. Each month, students are recognized for displaying a specific character trait that they are not only learning and practicing, but also recite daily in our Pledge.

August’s character trait was Responsibility. Responsible students take ownership of their thoughts, words, and actions. Responsibility is seen 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 to do their best, and fulfilling their duties.

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

CCS-Leland

CCS-Southport

CCS-Whiteville

CCS-Wilmington

 

School News – 8/28/2024

School News – 8/28/2024

 

Welcome to the 2024-2025 School Year! Our 25th Anniversary Year!

Classical Charter Schools of America campuses are off to a fantastic start in the 2024-2025 school year! Here is what to look forward to during the rest of our first quarter:    

For a look at the entire 2024-2025 calendar, click on the link below:

School Calendar

 

Back-to-School Community Event is a Success!

This past Friday, all four Classical Charter Schools of America (CCS-A) tuition-free schools participated in our Back-to-School Community Event. It was a tremendous success, bringing together families, friends, and community members for an afternoon of fun. It wasn’t just for Classical Charter Schools families- everyone in the community was invited and welcomed to join. 

Attendees had a blast with bounce houses, games, snacks, and creative face painting. The event also provided a great opportunity for everyone to learn more about CCS-A’s values, vision, and curriculum.

“It was exciting and fun to see everyone come together for this event,” said Jourdan Crawford, Headmaster at CSS-Wilmington. “We had a blast and enjoyed laughter and connection with our community, from climbing on fire trucks to petting the horses of our local law enforcement. Thank you to everyone who came out!”

We were thrilled to see such a fantastic turnout and appreciate everyone who joined us to kick off the school year. Thank you for making this event one to remember! We look forward to seeing you all at our future events.

If you had a friend attend with you and they liked what they learned, remind them that there are still spots available at every school within our network! They can enroll today for both elementary and middle school at www.EnrollRBA.com.

Click the link below to see pictures from this fun-filled event, held on August 23rd.

Pictures 

What makes Classical Charter Schools of America Unique?

The Roger Bacon Academy (RBA) was founded in 1999 by Baker Mitchell. After applying for a charter from the state of North Carolina, he started the first school, now Classical Charter Schools of Leland, with only 53 students in kindergarten through second grade. Today, the four CCS-America schools, which RBA manages, serve over 2,700 students in grades kindergarten through eighth.

High expectations, the highest quality teachers, and our traditional, classical curriculum keep CCS-America students thriving. We use Direct Instruction, modern technology, and verified educational research to maximize teacher effectiveness and improve student learning. Along with traditional school subjects, students learn character and values, history, cursive beginning in 1st grade, and Latin beginning in 4th grade.

Thank you for entrusting your student’s education with us. We are looking forward to another successful year in our 25th year of academic excellence!

RBA and CCS-America History   

 

 

School News – 5/29/2024

School News – 5/29/2024

Dear Classical Charter Schools of America parents, families, and friends, 

With the end of the 2023-2024 school year approaching, I am filled with immense pride and gratitude for all that our students and staff have accomplished. This year has been marked by growth, achievements, and unforgettable moments.

The year began with our schools being recognized by the Center for Research on Education Outcomes (CREDO) at Stanford University as educational top performers in the country, specifically identified as “gap busters.” This means that our schools are among the best in the nation at ensuring students from all backgrounds succeed in school. In addition, We were thrilled to achieve a national Top 20 ranking on the CLT8, a Classical Learning Test administered to hundreds of schools nationwide. CCS-Leland, in fact, was the only public, open to all, and tuition-free school in the top 20. Both recognitions are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire school community.

This year also brought many exciting firsts within the CCS-America system, including the launch of

middle school sports with the inaugural basketball season and our first Spelling Bee. We celebrated the opening of two new auditoriums that provide spaces for these events and more. Students also continued to compete in FASTAR and the History Bowl; showcased their talents in state and national competitions in archery, cheerleading, and Science Olympiad, and proudly represented the CCS-America community in Beta Club, the national student society that promotes “the ideals of academic achievement, character, leadership, and service.”

Throughout the year, we maintained a focus on school safety while upholding our traditional, classical values and curriculum. Students honed skills like cursive writing and Latin while excelling in subjects such as history, math, science, and reading.

As we reflect on these successes of this past year, I am excited about the future and continued

achievements that lie ahead in our 25th year of academic excellence. I extend my heartfelt thanks to our dedicated staff, supportive parents, and hardworking students for making this year truly memorable. We wish you all a restful and enjoyable summer break.

Warm regards,

Baker A. Mitchell, Founder

Visit ShopRBA for Your Uniform Needs! 

Get ready for the upcoming school year by purchasing your student’s uniform at ShopRBA! The online store carries long lasting, quality clothing at an affordable price. Orders are conveniently delivered to your student’s campus within 7-10 business days.

Please take note of the uniform requirements and changes for the 2024-2025 school year. Navy bottoms, navy dresses, and hoodies will not be permitted. Visit www.ShopRBA.school to see approved items and easily place your order.

We are excited to see you all in uniform for the 2024-2025 school year!

ShopRBA

Uniform Policy

Classical Charter Schools of Southport Welcomes New Headmaster

It is with great pleasure that we announce Mr. Luke Laslovich will assume the position of Headmaster at Classical Charter Schools of Southport for the upcoming 2024-2025 school year. With over 20 years of teaching and administrative experience in Montana and at two of our CCS-America campuses, Mr. Laslovich stresses high-quality instruction, commitment to the RBA curriculum and methods, and strong communication skills with students and families. We are thrilled for him to bring his expertise to lead CCS-Southport and further strengthen our classical approach to education.

Over the past quarter, Mr. Laslovich has been working side by side with Mr. Stidham to ensure a smooth transition into the Headmaster role. We extend our gratitude to Mr. Stidham for his stellar leadership at CCS-Southport and are pleased to share that he will be returning to the classroom for the 2024-2025 school year.

Please join us in welcoming Mr. Laslovich to the leadership team at CCS-Southport. We look forward to the continued growth and success of the campus under his guidance.