Welcome from the Dean of Students,

It is with great pleasure that I welcome you to Cape Fear Academy!  Student life, a role that the Upper School Dean of Students oversees, focuses on the education our students receive in addition to their core curriculum. Though we are mindful that our student's academic life is paramount, we are dedicated to the idea that learning continues, is enhanced, and is made meaningful beyond the "walls" of a conventional classroom. Whether it be working as an officer in our Student Government Association; leading a school club; attending sporting events; taking a role in one of our incredible school theater productions; sleeping in the Pisgah National Forest with your classmates; canoeing with a CFA faculty chaperone on the Sophomore trip; competing on the robotics team; or presenting your bill at YAG; CFA provides multiple opportunities for our students to try new, and sometimes uncomfortable, challenges. It is often these challenges that teach our students invaluable lessons in building and sustaining a meaningful learning community.  At Cape Fear Academy, participating in and contributing  to this community is an expectation we have for each and every student!

Sincerely,

Jamison Fee

Academic Teams

Our Academic teams are led by a Head Coach who creates regular practice sessions and brings in content experts when needed.  Each of our Academic teams compete regularly, and CFA have won numerous awards in each field. 

Math Team| The Math Team is for students who enjoy exploring & having fun with mathematics. Members are students who are at or above grade level in their high school math course & enjoy competing with other students. Math Team practices include solving & discussing math problems to prepare for competitions throughout the school year. Our mission is to provide a mathematical experience beyond the classroom for interested students and expose them to existing mathematical talent outside of CFA.

Debate Team| The CFA Debate Team trains students to compete at regional debate tournaments within a 2-hour radius of Wilmington.  Students may choose to compete in Public Forum (2 on 2, current events), Lincoln Douglas (1 on 1, philosophical / moral questions), or Congressional (group, students write legislation and discuss it) debate formats.  Outside preparation is required as are team practices prior to tournaments. Tournaments are held on Saturdays from September through April; parents provide transportation and serve as judges. Participants can earn an Honors credit by attending and successfully competing in 4 debate tournaments during the year.

National History Day| National History Day®(NHD) is a non-profit education organization based in College Park, Maryland. NHD offers year-long academic programs that engage over half a million middle- and high-school students around the world annually in conducting original research on historical topics of interest. Since 1974, NHD has continuously improved history education by providing professional development opportunities and curriculum materials for educators. The largest NHD program is the National History Day Contest that encourages more than half a million students around the world to conduct historical research on a topic of their choice. Students enter these projects at the local and affiliate levels, with top students advancing to the National Contest at the University of Maryland at College Park. 

Youth and Government| Youth and Government (YAG) is mock government program led by the YMCA. Students participate in the Cape Fear Academy Delegation and at the State Conference in Raleigh. There are a variety of roles available for students to participate in for conference, including legislative, judicial, executive branches, as well as media. The CFA Delegation is led by adviser, Mrs. Capps, and elected student officers. Students select their roles, receive support with conference materials, and keep up with deadlines set by the YMCA state program. The CFA delegation meets approximately 1-2 times a month until the State Conference in February.

Some examples of CFA Clubs 

Our Special Interest Groups are associations of two or more people united by a common interest or goal. A Special Interest Group exists for voluntary or charitable activities and focus around political, religious, hobbies and/or sports, and social activities.  

Ambassadors| The Student Ambassadors are a select group of CFA students who are dedicated to the positive promotion of Cape Fear Academy.  Student ambassadors serve as the official hosts and hostesses of the school, and are the first point of contact to many prospective visitors to the CFA campus each year. The goal of the Student Ambassador program is to educate prospective students, families, school groups and the general public on the programs and resources and student life at Cape Fear Academy through leading campus tours, and various enrollment and donor cultivation events. This privilege is available for application for the current student body in the 9th – 12th grade classes. Students may apply and then be invited to serve in the program. The Ambassadors serve as an essential component in the school’s total enrollment and public relations efforts.

BETA Club| The National Beta Club is the largest independent, non-profit, educational youth organization in America. And for more than 80 years, it has prepared today's students to be tomorrow's leaders. To promote the ideals of academic achievement, character, service and leadership among elementary and secondary school students.

Green Club| The purpose for the CFA Green Club  is to promote awareness of the current state of our environment and to educate our CFA community on how to go "greener". This club is open to all students who have an interest in making our community a healthier place.

High Tide| Students can earn partial or full arts or elective credits through an independent study with High Tide magazine. An independent study with High Tide is similar to a magazine internship. Students will handle various responsibilities related to the production of the magazine, including (but not limited to) planning contests, organizing submissions, marketing the magazine, planning special events, and designing issues. Requires the approval of the High Tide faculty advisers.

Quill and Scroll| Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society for High School Journalists was organized April 10, 1926, at the University of Iowa by renowned pollster George H. Gallup and a group of high school advisers for the purpose of encouraging and recognizing individual student achievement in journalism and scholastic publication. Since its founding, school charters have been granted to more than 11,300 high schools in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and 29 foreign countries. Media advisers in chartered schools are eligible to recommend outstanding high school journalism students for membership in Quill and Scroll International Honorary Society.

Robotics Club Team | Robotics, Engineering, Competition, Technology, and etc.

Student Government Association| The mission of CFA’s Student Government Association (SGA) is to provide upper school students with representation, services, and advocacy. The SGA provides quality leadership for, and accountability to, its constituency by recognizing that strength arises from diversity, engagement, and dialogue.

The FEAR| Each year, The FEAR works hard to promote school spirit.  The FEAR designs the “Spirit Shirt,” sponsors pep assemblies, cheers at games, and is one of the driving spirit forces behind school-wide projects and events - membership requirements: CFA spirit, loud voice, creative mind, appropriate cheering and attendance at CFA games and events.

Class Trips & Experience Days

Ninth Trip to Bald Head Island

Cape Fear Academy is excited to bring back the Niner’s Trip to Bald Head Island this year! We are set to spend the day paddleboarding, kayaking, exploring the island on bicycles, hearing from the Executive Director of the Bald Head Island Conservancy, planting Sea Oats for sand dune preservation/replenishment, completing an on-island Scavenger Hunt, and making new friends!

Sophomore Class Trip: The annual sophomore class trip will take place at Lake James State Park, Nebo, NC. The sophomore trip is a combination of camping and canoeing over a three day / two night trip and provides a wonderful opportunity for our students to grow closer as a class. Students will learn to cook for their group; use a compass; paddle a canoe full of gear in a straight line; set up camp; wilderness and water safety, and rely on each other to navigate challenges faced throughout the day. Cape Fear Academy will be partnering with the National Center for Outdoor Adventure Education (NCOAE) whose homebase is here in Wilmington. Representatives of NCOAE, as well as as well as CFA faculty chaperones, join with our students on this trip.

Junior Outdoor Expedition (J.O.E.): We are excited to have the opportunity to travel to Pisgah National Forest for our annual Junior Outdoor Expedition (J.O.E.)! The trip is designed to create an experience for our junior class that is challenging, engaging, and rewarding. Challenging in that our students will be hiking and camping in a relatively remote wilderness setting while carrying with them all of their group’s food, cooking equipment, tents, clothes, and sleeping bags. Engaging as our students get to experience the beauty of the mountains while fulfilling multiple roles throughout the trip; cooks for the day, gear organizer, leaders of the day, hydration crew, etc., Rewarding as the J.O.E. becomes a shared experience by the class with stories that are told year after year. For this trip Cape Fear Academy will be partnering with the National Center for Outdoor Adventure Education (NCOAE) whose homebase is here in Wilmington, NC. Representatives of NCOAE, as well as CFA faculty chaperones, join with our students on this trip. 

Senior Experience Days: During the time our sophomore and junior students are away on their respective class trips, our seniors spend this time working with students in the lower school here at CFA as well as engaging in service projects both on our campus and in our broader community. There is also time set aside to work with our college counselors and English faculty on college applications and essays!