With a focus on academic, spiritual, and social growth, The First Academy Middle School program helps launch students into success in Upper School and beyond.

Founded in 1986, The First Academy has established itself as a premier K-12 private Christian school serving students and families in the Greater Orlando area. With a 100% college acceptance rate among its graduates, the school’s formula for academic success is evident. It’s the focus on social and spiritual growth, however, that truly sets The First Academy apart—and much of this starts in the Middle School.

“Middle School is definitely that bridge,” Dr. Natalie Holter says. “We’re very intentionally taking students that really are still babies; they’re just developing their own sense of self and sense of independence, and trying to propel them toward the skill set that will make them successful in life.”

As The First Academy Middle School Principal and Director of Curriculum and Instruction, Holter understands the things that go into that success: a strong focus on academics, yes, but also on her students’ spiritual and social development.

“The social and emotional development piece is the more important side in Middle School,” Holter says. “This is a stage of life where God has us go through a lot of changes. We’re helping students learn to navigate those shifts.”

Learning Life Skills

At The First Academy Middle School, students are learning the skills that underpin overall academic success. They’re taught how to study, stay organized, and put together a presentation. They’re gaining confidence in talking directly to their teachers—asking questions and raising hands without fear of stigma—rather than having Mom or Dad navigate for them.

“Academic success will follow,” Holter says.

This includes building healthy peer groups and learning to navigate conflict. Student advisory, mentorship groups, chapels, and special guest speakers are just a few of the ways the school focuses on student growth and well-being. The students are also surrounded by supportive staff.

“The First Academy Middle School is blessed with an amazing faculty,” Holter says. “We have honestly one of the best teams I can imagine having.”

If someone notices a student is struggling—whether academically or socially—they come together as a team to assess the situation before reaching out to the student. All of the teachers and administrators have an open-door policy, too.

“Kids can come talk to us at any point. We focus on building strong relationships with them so they feel safe and comfortable,” Holter says.

School Support

Straight A’s are not necessarily the goal, according to Holter. She wants her middle schoolers to learn how to be their best selves—and that’s not easy when the biggest problem is often insecurity.

“Friends become super important. There’s a fear of being left out or not involved. We work very actively with families and various support teams we have to meet whatever a student’s need is,” Holter says.

This includes a chaplain team of sixth through eighth grade students “strong in their walk with the Lord and their own emotional wellness” who are ready to support their peers in whatever way they can. These student chaplains are part of an overall student leadership program at the school, which offers students an opportunity to apply for a program that speaks to them, whether it’s helping lead student life or community outreach.

“We have those different types of teams to hit every type of kid, so everybody has an opportunity to step in and fill an area they feel passionate about,” Holter says. 

A Christ-Centered Focus

Spiritual growth, Holter explains, is central to The First Academy’s mission, and at the Middle School, they help students navigate this path in three different ways: through academics, discipleship, and mentorship.

“All of our kids have a Bible class every single day, and the curriculum is very intentionally designed to focus on foundational aspects of Christianity. It’s not just Mom and Dad’s faith anymore—it’s their own living and breathing faith,” Hotler says.

Discipleship helps guide students in developing their own habits to strengthen their faith. Weekly chapels are designed around Middle School issues. The middle schoolers also receive mentorship from junior and senior chaplains from the Upper School, as well as from Bible teachers, the pastoral care team, and even outside school initiatives, such as serving at churches and other organizations.

“We look for ways to make it not just academic, but have the students question how they actually shape their lives in those tenets,” Holter says. “We are the hands and feet of Jesus and don’t just spout Bible verses.”

Beyond Middle School

Holter and her team at the Middle School don’t want to see their students leave with just a great set of academics and a good heart, but also with a full skill set for success. They’re teaching responsibility and accountability.

“The kids here know that we do love them. We want them to grow,” Holter says. “A lot of families, especially parents with firstborns going to Middle School, are really afraid because it is such a time of change and development.

“But as long as the kids are in an environment where the guardrails are up, and it’s a safe space to develop,” Holter continues, “they’re going to be fine.”

And that’s exactly what a family can expect to find at The First Academy Middle School: a place to safely grow, learn, and develop a strong sense of self.

“It’s easy for kids to feel invisible,” Holter says. “We want every single student to know they’re valued and important and they matter.”

The First Academy

Orlando

(407) 206-8600

TheFirstAcademy.org