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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Welcome Back for the 2025-2026 School Year!

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

View the full 2025-2026 CCS-A school calendar HERE.

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Staff Professional Development

Just as we hold our students to high standards, CCS-America also holds our teachers and staff to high standards of excellence. On July 9th, RBA and CCS-America prepared to welcome students back with Staff Orientation and Professional Development Day!

Along with participating in multiple breakout sessions discussing a variety to topics, staff had the opportunity to hear from Mr. Zach Palmer, history teacher at Thales Academy. He discussed the importance of classical education and the vital role educators play in helping students grow in virtue.

We also welcomed CCS-Whiteville alumna and former valedictorian Ms. Savannah-Grace Jones, who shared how her RBA education shaped and inspired her journey from CCS-Whiteville, to high school and college, to ICU nurse in Little River, SC.

Thank you to Mr. Palmer, Ms. Jones, and all our dedicated staff for their commitment and contributions to today’s professional development. We are ready and excited for the new school year to begin!

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CCS-America Board Names New Chair

The Board of Trustees has announced a leadership change following the decision by longtime Chair Robert Spencer to step down after eleven years of service. Colleen Combs, a nine-year trustee, has been elected as the new Chair of the Board. Mr. Spencer, who has served on the all-volunteer Board for thirteen years, will remain on the Board as Vice-Chair.

“We are all grateful to Mr. Spencer for his steady leadership over the past decade,” said Ms. Combs, who brings extensive experience from her former role as a Supervisory Program Analyst with the National Labor Relations Board. “Under his guidance, we expanded our network of schools and enrollment while remaining faithful to our original classically oriented mission. Recent national achievement test results, which place our schools at the top among classical institutions, reflect the strength of the educational model he helped to build.”

Mr. Spencer reflected on his years with CCS-America, saying, “I joined this board because I believe parents deserve an educational option with a classical emphasis on reading, writing, history, and math. It’s been an honor to help grow a network of high-quality schools that offer that choice to families across ten counties in southeastern North Carolina. As Ms. Combs takes the reins, I look forward to continuing to support both her and our schools.”

The entire CCS-America community thanks Mr. Spencer for his years of leadership and welcomes Ms. Combs as she begins this new chapter.

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Visit ShopRBA for your school uniform needs!

If you haven’t already, be sure to purchase 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.

Along with uniform pieces, ShopRBA also carries Dress for Success clothing and fun accessories like water bottles, belts, and beanies. Visit www.ShopRBA.school to see approved items and easily place your order.

We are excited to see you all in uniform for the 2025-2026 school year!

ShopRBA

Uniform Policy

The Dear Classical Charter Schools of America Parents, Families, and Friends,

As we close out the 2024-2025 school year, I find myself reflecting with immense pride on the great strides our students and staff have made this year. It has been one of growth, celebration, and many impressive accomplishments.

One of these accomplishments is our continued success on the national stage. CCS-Leland ranked first in the entire country on the Classical Learning Test 8 (CLT8) exam, while CCS-Whiteville ranked third. Our schools were the only public, only charter, and only tuition-free schools in the top twenty. Ranking so highly among the hundreds of schools across the country once again affirms the effectiveness of our rigorous classical curriculum and commitment to excellence.

Beyond academics, we have expanded our extracurricular programs, along with our electives and resources. Our middle school sports program continued to grow with the addition of soccer, baseball, and softball and the continuation of basketball. Our students also had the opportunity to compete nationally in both archery and cheerleading, with our RBA Cheerleading Team bringing home more national titles to add to their collection. The continued support for sports at CCS-America not only enhances the school experience for our students, but also promotes teamwork, leadership, and sportsmanship, all important aspects of our character education curriculum.

Our drama students and show choirs continued to dazzle us with plays, performances, and talent shows. Beta Club and Science Olympiad students have proudly represented CCS-America in high-level competitions. We hosted our 20th Annual FASTAR, 9th Annual History Bowl, and 2nd Annual CCS-America Spelling Bee, many of which were held in the newly completed Leland and Southport auditoriums and gymnasiums.

We celebrated the success of both our Back to School and our Spring Community Events, bringing together our charter family with our surrounding community. Each event was a reminder of the dedicated, supportive network that makes our CCS-America community so special.

One of the most joyful parts of the year has been seeing our graduates thrive in high school and early college programs, demonstrating the confidence and academic strength they developed during their years at CCS-America. We are very proud of the foundations they have built and excited to see what their futures hold.

As we look ahead to the 2025-2026 school year, I am excited for everything that we will continue to build and accomplish together. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our incredible staff, supportive parents, and hard-working students. Thank you to each of you for your contributions to this extraordinary year.

We wish you a restorative, joyful summer break and look forward to welcoming you back in July.

Warm regards,

Baker A. Mitchell, Founder

The goal of Classical Education is to create independent learners discerning Truth, Goodness, and Beauty so that civilization can flourish.

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Softball and Baseball Champions Revealed

Our inaugural CCS-A softball and baseball season has come to an end, and what a season it was! Both CCS-Leland teams finished undefeated, each ending the season with a perfect 6-0 record. At their final games, they were awarded medals and trophies, officially naming them the first-ever CCS-A Softball and Baseball Champions.

This season was full of big hits, impressive plays, and lots of school spirit. Above all, it showcased the teamwork and sportsmanship that define our CCS-A student athletes.

Congratulations to all teams for a great first season! CCS-A middle school sports will continue this fall with boys’ and girls’ soccer.

Trophy Ceremony Pictures

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CCS-Southport Presents: Peter Pan!

Last Thursday, CCS-Southport middle schoolers took the stage for a performance of Peter Pan, their spring musical! They performed for an audience of parents, families, and CCS-Southport kindergarten and first grade students.

These talented students brought the world of Neverland to life, complete with fairies, pirates, mermaids, and Lost Boys. Key CCS-America character traits (such as courage, responsibility, and the importance of family) were showcased in the performance.

Congratulations to CCS-Southport for an incredible performance! Special thanks to Kimberly Boumpani and Kimberly Dollar for their hard work in putting on this production.

Check out pictures from Peter Pan here:

Peter Pan Pictures

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CCS-America Archery at the National Level: Good luck Ethan!

This month, eighth-grader Ethan Stanley proudly represented RBA and CCS-Leland at the NASP 2025 US Eastern Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky.

Ethan is the #2 ranked archer among middle school boys in North Carolina for the 2025 year. In Kentucky, he shot very well and earned a qualifying score for the NASP Grand National Championship, which will take place June 5-7 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina!

Congratulations to Ethan on this outstanding accomplishment. All of CCS-A is cheering you on. Good luck at Grand Nationals!

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Enroll for the 2025-2026 School Year!

The 2026-2026 school year is almost here! We are currently taking applications for all grade levels!

Remember, this year we are offering a new incentive for current CCS-A parents and staff members. When a new student applies for enrollment at a CCS-A school between 12/1/24 – 6/30/2025 and enters a current parent or staff member’s name and email in the “Referred By” section of the application, that parent/staff member will be emailed $25 of Shop RBA store credit for each referral!

BE SURE TO PROVIDE ALL NEEDED INFORMATION: The application must have the first and last name and email of the person providing the referral in order to receive the store credit.

ENROLL HERE

The 9th Annual History Bowl

On Friday, April 25th, Classical Charter Schools of Leland hosted the 9th annual CCS-America History Bowl. Teams from CCS-Leland, CCS-Southport, and CCS-Whiteville competed, with students representing fifth through eighth grade.

Students spent the year preparing for the History Bowl, studying up to 400 questions. Any of these questions could be asked during the competition. To get comfortable with the format of the competition, they also participate in two Mock History Bowls during the year.

To earn points, team members must answer their questions quickly and accurately. If needed, teams can use a limited number of “lifelines” to ask another team member for help. In addition to showcasing their academic abilities, the event emphasizes teamwork, professionalism, and sportsmanship.

Congratulations to the following grades and campuses for bringing home the trophies! The competition was close, and all students should take pride in their hard work and performances.

🏆 5th grade: CCS-Southport

🏆 6th grade: CCS-Leland

🏆 7th grade: CCS-Leland

🏆 8th grade: CCS-Leland

Pictures

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Piano Donated to CCS-Wilmington

Last Tuesday, a beautiful piano arrived in the CCS-Wilmington auditorium. The moving company “Two Men and a Truck” delivered and set up the instrument on the stage.

The Yamaha piano was generously donated to the school by Howard Talley, a longtime friend of Classical Charter Schools of America and current Board of Trustees member. Mr. Talley is also the Wilmington Chess Club coach. The piano once belonged to his mother, Betsey.

“I am excited for the piano to have this new home. I’m hopeful it will get lots of use and bring lots of music and joy to the students,” shared Mr. Talley.

We are very thankful to Mr. Talley for this meaningful donation! The piano will bring a new level of excitement to the campus, especially in music class.

Click on the link below to see some pictures of the piano in the CCS-Wilmington auditorium:

Piano Pictures

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CCS-Whiteville Presents: Peter Pan!

Last Thursday, CCS-Whiteville middle schoolers presented their spring musical, Peter Pan! They performed to an audience full of parents and the CCS-Whiteville first grade classes.

The talented show choir and drama students dazzled the audience, taking them on a magical journey through Neverland. Peter Pan, Wendy, and their friends encountered pirates, fairies, mermaids, and more!

The musical also highlighted character traits that are taught in CCS-America’s character education curriculum, including dependability, courage, and responsibility. The value of family was also a central theme.

Congratulations to CCS-Whiteville for putting on such a wonderful show! Special thanks to director Tessa Cheek and show choir director Magnolia Hunt for all of their hard work.

Students, take a bow!

Peter Pan Pictures

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Showcasing CCS-America Electives

At Classical Charter Schools of America, middle school students have the opportunity to choose an elective to take once a week, allowing them to explore their interests and develop new skills.

Over the past month, all three CCS-America middle school campuses have held Elective and Performing Arts Showcases.

At each showcase, students demonstrated to parents and members of the community what they have been working on in their elective classes all year. While each campus’s showcase had a unique lineup, some highlights included demonstrations of cheerleading, archery, show choir, musical instruments, and student artwork.

See pictures from each campus’s showcase below:

CCS-Leland Pictures

CCS-Southport Pictures

CCS-Whiteville Pictures

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Enroll for the 2025-2026 School Year!

We are currently taking applications for the 2025-2026 school year for all grade levels!

Remember, this year we are offering a new incentive for current CCS-A parents and staff members. When a new student applies for enrollment at a CCS-A school between 12/1/24 – 6/30/2025 and enters a current parent or staff member’s name and email in the “Referred By” section of the application, that parent/staff member will be emailed $25 of Shop RBA store credit for each referral!

BE SURE TO PROVIDE ALL NEEDED INFORMATION: The application must have the first and last name and email of the person providing the referral in order to receive the store credit.

ENROLL HERE

Students, Start Your Pencils!

Last week, all four CCS-America campuses held their annual FASTAR® (Fluent Academic Skills Tournament in Arithmetic and Reading) races. This year was extra special, as we celebrated the 2oth anniversary of FASTAR®!

Our elementary students lined up in their racing lanes, cheered on by their classmates and family members. Middle school “pit crew” members helped time the racers and made sure everything ran smoothly.

As soon as they heard “Go!” the students took off, first reading a passage out loud and then racing through sheets of math facts. They sped to the finish line, with some races decided by just seconds.

All of our campus winners will face off at the Race of Champions, which is scheduled for next Wednesday, April 30th. The school with the most speed and accuracy will take home the trophy as 2025’s FASTAR® Champion!

Congratulations to all of our racers, pit crew members, and winners! Thank you to all classmates, family members, and friends for cheering the racers on!

See pictures from each campus’s race below:

CCS-Leland Pictures

CCS-Southport Pictures

CCS-Whiteville Pictures

CCS-Wilmington Pictures

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Staff Alumni Spotlight: Jordan Singler

At CCS-America, we love to see our former students come back to teach for us. Jordan Singler attended CCS-Leland, then known as Charter Day School, for grades K-8 from 2003-2012.

Ms. Singler began working at CCS-Whiteville in 2020 as a fifth grade teacher. She moved her way up to her current position as lead 8th grade teacher, where she teaches both English Language Arts (ELA) and History. While teaching, she was able to complete her master’s degree and expressed her interest in administration.

With the start of the 2025-2026 school year, she will take the position of CCS-Whiteville Operations Coordinator, making her the Roger Bacon Academy’s first admin alumna! We are very excited for her to bring her unique skills and perspective to this role.

When asked what advice she has for current CCS-America students, Ms. Singler said, “My advice to my current students is to reach for the stars. I can see the passion they have and try every day to instill in them they can be any and everything they want to be. While I was at CCS-America, my teachers did the same for me and they gave me the tools to do it. I have since accomplished many things thanks to encouragement of former teachers that I also have the privilege of working with today.”

Learn more about Ms. Singler and her journey from CCS-America student to teacher:

Staff Alumni Q & A with Jordan Singler

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Curriculum Spotlight: Poetry

Poetry is an important aspect of both classical education and CCS-America’s ELA curriculum. As a part of the Quarter Four Poetry Unit, fourth through eighth grade students read, studied, and memorized classical poems.

They practiced memorizing and reciting these poems, and, at the end of the unit, performed them for the camera.

Each grade level focused on a different poem:

-Fourth Grade: Dust of Snow by Robert Frost

-Fifth Grade: Dreams by Langston Hughes

-Sixth Grade: The Eagle by Alfred Lord Tennyson

-Seventh Grade: Where My Books Go by William Butler Yeats

-Eighth Grade: Loss and Gain by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Click on the link below to watch students reciting the poems:

Quarter Four Poems

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Enroll for the 2025-2026 School Year!

We are currently taking applications for the 2025-2026 school year for all grade levels!

Remember, this year we are offering a new incentive for current CCS-A parents and staff members. When a new student applies for enrollment at a CCS-A school between 12/1/24 – 6/30/2025 and enters a current parent or staff member’s name and email in the “Referred By” section of the application, that parent/staff member will be emailed $25 of Shop RBA store credit for each referral!

BE SURE TO PROVIDE ALL NEEDED INFORMATION: The application must have the first and last name and email of the person providing the referral in order to receive the store credit.

ENROLL HERE