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!

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

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   

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.

Basketball Season Comes to a Close

The first CCS-America basketball season has officially come to a close. Congratulations to all of the athletes for their hard work, dedication, and sportsmanship displayed throughout the six games.

In celebration of the end of this season, we invite you to join us today at 4:30 for the long-anticipated student-staff basketball showdown in the CCS-Leland gym. Not only will we enjoy some friendly competition, but we also will be presenting the season champions with their first-place trophies and medals.

As we wrap up this season, we are already looking forward to the 2024-2025 CCS-America sports programs! Soccer will kick off in August, basketball will return in December, and baseball and softball are set for March. If your middle school student is interested in joining our sports programs, please get in touch with your athlete’s PE teacher for sign-up information or contact Dean LaFave at jlafave@rogerbacon.net.

Thank you to all of our athletes, coaches, and supporters for making this inaugural season a success. We can’t wait to see what the future holds for CCS-America sports.

Staff and student basketball game information

It’s National Charter Schools Week! 

This week, May 12-18, we celebrate the power of YOUR voice in your student’s education!

We are proud to honor and acknowledge the 8,000 charter schools, 251,000 teachers, and the countless lawmakers who advocate for the nearly 4 million charter students nationwide. Every student and family deserves access to a high-quality public education, and student-centered charter schools have the ability to cater to the needs of each family and community in ways that traditional district schools cannot.

We are grateful to you for choosing Classical Charter Schools of America and for being a vital part of the movement that is improving the lives of millions of students across the nation. Thank you for your continued support and dedication to educational excellence.

Celebrate National Charter Schools Week

EOG Tips and Tricks 

As we approach the end-of-grade (EOG) testing period, we want to ensure our students are prepared and supported for success. This Friday, 5th and 8th graders will be taking the Science EOG, followed by the Reading EOG on Tuesday, May 21, and the Mathematics EOG on Wednesday, May 22 for grades 3-8. To help our students perform their best, here are some tips for parents and guardians to assist them during this crucial time:

Create a quiet and dedicated space for your student to complete and review homework.
Encourage your student to explain what he or she has learned in school to reinforce their understanding.
Ensure your student gets enough rest with an early bedtime.
Help your student review any classwork or study review materials.
Be sure to serve healthy, well-balanced meals, especially for breakfast, to fuel your student’s day.
Help your student manage stress and anxiety by discussing expectations, concerns, and aspirations.
Start the testing day calmly to set a positive tone.
Remind your student to take the test seriously and to listen carefully to all instructions.
To combat test anxiety, encourage your student to take deep breaths to relax and utilize breaks during the test.
When the tests are complete, celebrate the hard work and achievements of your student!

NC DPI EOG Information

Race of Champions 

Classical Charter Schools of Southport held the 10th Annual FASTAR® Race of Champions on Wednesday, April 24th. Competitors from each CCS-America campus showcased incredible skill, speed, and accuracy.

Following four quick races, each with four “laps” of reading and math, CCS-Southport emerged victorious by a mere 2 seconds. Congratulations to all of the champion racers, with a special acknowledgement to CCS-Southport’s pit crew and racers for securing their second consecutive victory.

If your student is interested in participating in this thrilling academic race, make sure to sign them up for FASTAR® in the 2024-2025 school year!

Pictures

The 8th Annual History Bowl 

The Roger Bacon Academy hosted its 8th annual History Bowl last Friday, April 26th at Classical Charter Schools of Leland. Throughout the year, students have been studying up to 400 questions that may be asked during the competition. These questions align with The Roger Bacon Academy’s chronological history curriculum. The students showcased an impressive display of historical knowledge, sportsmanship, and competitive spirit.

This year marked a significant achievement as all four schools won a grade level! The competition was close, with the final round of the 8th grade competition even going into double sudden-death overtime. Congratulations to the following grades and campuses for bringing home trophies. All students should take pride in their hard work and performance.

 5th grade: CCS-Wilmington

 6th grade: CCS-Leland

 7th grade: CCS-Whiteville

 8th grade: CCS-Southport

We would also like to recognize 8th graders Gabriel Hughes and Josie Baroski of CCS-Southport, Walter Davis of CCS-Leland, and Macy Young of CCS-Whiteville for competing in the History Bowl since 5th grade.

Pictures

Students of the Month

CCS-America students are recognized monthly for displaying a specific character trait from our School Pledge that they not only say but also practice in their daily lives.

April’s character trait was Respect. Students who show respect treat others with honor and dignity. Respect is seen in the School Pledge as “I pledge to be obedient and loyal to those in authority.” CCS-America students apply these words to their everyday lives by treating adults with courtesy, using good manners, and treating their peers the way they want to be treated.

Congratulations to all of these students who demonstrated exemplary respect. Check them out on the links below!

CCS-Leland

CCS-Southport

CCS-Whiteville

Did You Know? A Cautionary Tale. 

Starting in kindergarten, consistent absence, whether excused or unexcused, can lead to children falling behind in school. 
Missing 10 percent of school days, that’s just two days a month, increases the chance that your student will not achieve the same level of reading and math proficiency as their peers.
Even missing a day or two every few weeks can hinder a student’s academic progress.

When a student accumulates 10 or more unexcused absences, the parent/guardian may be in violation of North Carolina’s Compulsory Attendance Law and could face prosecution if the absences cannot be justified under the established attendance policies. Recently, a parent at CCS-America received a jail sentence due to their child’s attendance record. Monitoring attendance closely, with letters sent home after 3, 6, and 10 unexcused days, aims to prevent families from being referred to the district attorney’s office and facing criminal court appearances. This offense is classified as a Class I Misdemeanor and could potentially result in up to 120 days of incarceration of the parent/guardian.

We miss your students when they are not in school, and we value their contributions to our community. We would like your help in ensuring that your student attends school regularly and achieves success academically. If your student is going to be absent, please contact the child’s teacher and send in a written note from you, the doctor, etc., excusing the absence.