Eagle News

There is something special happening at Central Carolina Academy.

As CCA begins the 2026–2027 school year, the campus is filled with energy, excitement, and a renewed sense of Eagle Pride. Classrooms are full, our faculty and staff positions are filled, enrollment is at capacity, and students and teachers have returned ready to make this year one to remember.

For a school that first opened its doors just four years ago, these are exciting milestones. CCA is growing up—and a new chapter is already taking shape.

Celebrating Our Seniors

Perhaps no group has embraced the beginning of the year more than the Class of 2027.

Their senior year began before the school doors even opened on the first day of school. Seniors gathered early that morning for a Sunrise Breakfast at the Batten family's lakeside home, watching the sun rise together as they marked the beginning of their final year at CCA.

It was a fitting start to what promises to be a memorable year.

Since then, the celebrations have continued. Seniors have added their names to the Senior Rock, creating a lasting reminder of the Class of 2027 and their place in CCA history.

They have also transformed their reserved parking spaces into colorful expressions of their personalities. Over the past several days, students have painted and personalized their spaces, bringing creativity, laughter, and plenty of school spirit to the CCA parking lot.

Last Friday brought another opportunity to gather when seniors enjoyed a Senior Breakfast on campus.

These events are about much more than breakfast, rocks, or parking spaces. They are the beginnings of traditions—moments our students will remember long after they leave CCA.

And there are many more senior memories still to come.

Classrooms Full of Excitement

The excitement isn't limited to the senior class.

Walk through CCA and you will find classrooms filled with students learning, collaborating, asking questions, experimenting, creating, and preparing for their futures.

Our teachers have returned with enthusiasm and a commitment to providing students with engaging, challenging learning experiences. From middle school students beginning their CCA journeys to seniors preparing for life after graduation, there is a sense of purpose throughout the building.

CCA begins this year with full enrollment and a full staff, two important indicators of the confidence families and educators continue to place in our school.

Since opening in 2022, Central Carolina Academy has worked to create something distinctive for students in our community. That work continues, but today there is much to celebrate.

A New Look for a New Chapter

CCA is also beginning the year with a fresh new brand.

Our updated Eagle identity and new website reflect both who we are today and where we are headed. The new look is bold, modern, and unmistakably CCA—but the most important part of our identity hasn't changed.

It is our people.

Our students. Our teachers and staff. Our families. Our alumni. Our community partners. And everyone who believes in what Central Carolina Academy can be.

A brand is more than a logo. At its best, it represents a shared identity. For CCA, that identity is built around pride, opportunity, achievement, community, and a commitment to students.

Strong Governance and Greater Community Connection

Positive momentum is also taking place at the governance level.

CCA's new Board of Directors has been busy organizing committees, strengthening governance practices, reviewing policies, and creating additional opportunities to stay connected with the stakeholders the school serves. At the same time, day-to-day school operations are running efficiently, allowing the Board and school leadership to remain focused on their respective responsibilities while working toward a common goal: the continued success of CCA and its students.

An important part of this new chapter is making school governance more accessible to the community. Regular Board meetings have been moved to the second Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m., providing a more convenient opportunity for parents, staff, and community members to attend and stay informed.

Board President Travis Poole encourages stakeholders to attend meetings, learn more about the work of the Board, and remain engaged in the life and future of the school.

As committees begin their work and progress continues in governance and policy, the Board is committed to transparency, collaboration, responsible oversight, and keeping the CCA community connected to the decisions that help shape the school's future.

Eagle Pride Extends Beyond the Classroom

The excitement will continue outside the classroom as well.

One of CCA's signature community events, the 2nd Annual Eagle Classic Golf Tournament, is coming up on Monday, September 21, at Quail Ridge Golf Course.

The Eagle Classic brings together families, friends, community partners, sponsors, and supporters for a day of fellowship and fun while supporting Central Carolina Academy. Teams and hole sponsors are currently being sought for this year's tournament, and we look forward to making the second Eagle Classic even more successful than the first.

Events like the Eagle Classic are another reminder that CCA is more than a building. It is a community.

The Best Is Still Ahead

There will always be work to do in a growing school. But there are also moments when it is important to stop and appreciate just how far we have come.

CCA opened in 2022 with a vision and a great deal of hope.

Four years later, our halls are full.

Our classrooms are full.

Our staff is in place.

Our seniors are creating traditions for the classes that will follow them.

Our teachers are teaching.

Our students are learning.

Our Board is engaged.

Our community is supporting us.

And Eagle Pride is everywhere.

The 2026–2027 school year is just beginning, but already there is so much to celebrate—and so much more ahead.

This is our new chapter.

And we can't wait to see how the story unfolds!

As Central Carolina Academy prepares to welcome students back for the 2026–2027 school year, the school has announced its administrative leadership team, bringing together experienced educators in roles designed to maximize their individual strengths while providing strong support for students, staff, and families.

Head of School Greg Batten said the leadership structure was intentionally designed to create a collaborative team focused on instructional excellence, student success, and daily support for the school community.

Mary Tatum has been named Lead High School Administrator. In her role, she will oversee secondary curriculum and instructional support, technology leadership and digital learning initiatives, professional development, and a variety of other operational responsibilities that support teaching and learning across the campus.

Jay Czap will serve as Lead Middle School Administrator, working directly with students and teachers in grades 6–8. His responsibilities include curriculum support, classroom management, student supervision, and middle school discipline. Czap’s office will be located on the school’s third floor, providing easy access to students and faculty.

Returning administrator Frank Thompson has been appointed Director of Auxiliary Services and Dean of High School Students. In this dual role, Thompson will oversee campus maintenance, transportation, and other auxiliary services while providing support to Athletics Director Riley Bohn. As Dean of High School Students, he will serve as the primary administrator responsible for student discipline and student support for grades 9–12.

Rather than working independently, the administrative team will share responsibilities and collaborate daily to ensure the needs of students, teachers, and families are met efficiently and effectively.

“Mrs. Tatum, Mr. Czap, Mr. Thompson, and I will work collaboratively to assist each other as needed in order to support our staff, students, and community on a daily basis,” Batten said. “I truly believe this plan effectively utilizes the experience and talents of our leadership team.”

Batten emphasized that the administration’s primary mission is to support the faculty and create an environment where teachers can focus on helping students succeed.

“Most importantly, we are all here to support this amazing staff of educators,” he said. “I look forward to an outstanding year at CCA, home of the Soaring Eagles.”

The announcement comes as Central Carolina Academy begins a new chapter for the 2026–2027 school year, with renewed focus on collaboration, academic excellence, and building a strong school community. School leaders say the team’s diverse experience and commitment to working together will help ensure students continue to thrive both inside and outside the classroom.

Together, Batten said, the leadership team reflects a shared commitment to servant leadership and to creating a school culture where students, educators, and families feel supported every day. By leveraging each administrator’s unique expertise, Central Carolina Academy aims to continue building on its tradition of academic excellence while preparing students to soar in the classroom and beyond.

Since Central Carolina Academy opened in 2022, there have been many memorable moments captured with the building as a centerpiece of school activities. The gallery below captures a few exterior campus moments over the years.

For the second year several faculty members showcased their artistic creativity by decorating pumpkins as a fundraiser. The school community was able to view the selections in the main lobby and donate money to their favorite pumpkin. The funds raised will support the junior/senior prom. When the contest winner (Amy Reichel’s gumball machine) was announced, the creators of all of the designs were also revealed.

The Central Carolina Academy Soaring Eagles capped off an incredible season with a 4th place finish at the NCHSAA 1A/2A Women’s Golf State Championships, held Monday and Tuesday at Gates Four Golf & Country Club in Fayetteville.

A total of 12 teams competed on the par-72, 5,365-yard course. Play began at 9:00 a.m. Monday under overcast skies, but as the day progressed, the weather steadily worsened. Heavy rain eventually made the course unplayable, forcing officials to halt play and cancel Tuesday’s final round. As a result, Monday’s scores were used to determine the final standings.

Despite the challenging conditions, CCA’s young squad — made up of one sophomore and four freshmen — showed composure and grit. Freshman Raelan Fields led the way, firing an impressive 84 to earn third place individually. Sophomore Adeline Hinsley followed with a 97 to finish 22nd, and freshman Hannah DeSpain shot a 101, placing 28th.

The team’s combined score of 282 secured their 4th-place team finish, an outstanding result for such a young group.

“This season has definitely been my favorite of all the golf teams I’ve been a part of,” said team leader Raelan Fields. “I built such strong relationships with my teammates, and getting to compete at states with them was an amazing experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunities this season has opened up and for the memories we’ve made together.”

With such a strong showing at the state level and a roster full of underclassmen, the future looks bright for the Soaring Eagles. Congratulations to the team for their hard work, teamwork, and sportsmanship all season long. Stay tuned, the best is yet to come!

Central Carolina Academy is beaming with pride as three of its outstanding educators, Micah Tyler, Kristee McCusker, and Darlene McDowell, have been named recipients of the Central Electric Bright Ideas Grant for 2025.

Out of just 14 winners across the entire state of North Carolina, CCA proudly claimed three, a remarkable accomplishment that showcases the school’s commitment to innovation and excellence in teaching.

The Bright Ideas Grant program, sponsored by North Carolina’s 26 electric cooperatives, provides up to $2,000 in funding to K–12 teachers for creative classroom projects in areas such as science, math, reading, and the arts. These grants help educators bring learning to life through hands-on, engaging experiences that inspire curiosity and critical thinking.

Each of the CCA educators developed unique projects designed to enhance student learning in innovative ways. Notably, Mrs. McDowell is a repeat honoree, having also received the Bright Ideas Grant two years ago, a testament to her ongoing creativity and dedication to student success.

Recipients of the 2025 Bright Ideas Grants will be recognized on Friday, November 21, during the CEMC Bright Ideas Luncheon, an event that celebrates and awards grants to North Carolina teachers for their inventive classroom initiatives. The luncheons are part of a statewide celebration recognizing educators and the impact of their projects, which collectively have reached millions of students since the program’s inception in 1994.

“Having three teachers recognized at the state level for their creativity and commitment to student learning is an incredible honor,” said Mary Tatum, Assistant Principal at Central Carolina Academy. “Their dedication to developing innovative classroom experiences truly reflects the spirit of excellence that defines our school.” Central Carolina Academy congratulates Micah Tyler, Kristee McCusker, and Darlene McDowell on this outstanding achievement and thanks them for their continued efforts to inspire curiosity, innovation, and excellence in the classroom.

Central Carolina Academy continues to set the standard for excellence, recently earning two prestigious recognitions that highlight both academic achievement and outstanding sportsmanship.

In academics, CCA has been named among the top Title I schools in North Carolina eligible for the National ESEA Distinguished Schools Award. The school qualified in Category 2: Schools That Have Closed the Achievement Gap Between Student Groups, underscoring its success in ensuring all students make strong academic progress regardless of background. CCA is among the top 10 schools statewide being honored in this category and will be formally recognized at the North Carolina Association of Federal Education Program Administrators (NCFEPA) luncheon on Wednesday, October 8, 2025. At that event, the top two schools in each category will be announced and will go on to represent North Carolina at the 2026 National ESEA Conference in Denver, Colorado.

“This recognition is a reflection of the hard work of our students, teachers, and families who are committed to academic excellence and growth,” said Principal, Greg Batten. “We are proud of the progress our students have made and honored to be considered among the top schools in North Carolina.”

On the athletic side, CCA has been recognized as an Ejection-Free School by the North Carolina High School Athletic Association (NCHSAA). Athletic Director Bob Pegram accepted the Certificate of Achievement on behalf of CCA at the recent regional meeting. The school was one of only four in Region 4 to earn this distinction, which honors programs conducted with integrity, respect, and discipline.

Sportsmanship is the first core value of the NCHSAA, and this recognition highlights the Eagles’ consistent practice of respecting referees and officials, treating opponents with dignity, and showing graciousness in both victory and defeat. Pegram expressed pride in the achievement: “This recognition shows that our athletes are learning lessons that go beyond the scoreboard. They are learning respect, responsibility, and how to represent themselves and CCA with character.”

Together, these accomplishments demonstrate CCA’s commitment to fostering excellence in academics and athletics, developing students who succeed both in the classroom and on the field while embodying integrity, respect, and responsibility.

Congratulations to our students, coaches, teachers, and families for these well-deserved accolades!

Andrew Stone’s advanced PE class is once again taking on a 30-day rucksack challenge to support physical fitness and to also raise money for a good cause. The 25 high school students are walking at least three miles each day in class throughout the month of September using Sanford’s Endor Iron Furnace Greenway that borders the CCA campus. The students and Coach Stone have a goal of $2,000 that will begin a scholarship fund for CCA seniors in memory of the school’s first school resource officer, Mark Cole. Lend your support by donating to the scholarship using the QR code.

About the Scholarship Honoree

After serving with distinction for 30 years as a dedicated law enforcement officer with the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, Mark Cole retired in 2012 as a Master Trooper. He was honored in 2006 as the Trooper of the Year. Following his Highway Patrol retirement, he continued serving the community as a member of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. During the 2022-2023 school year, Mark Cole was part of the CCA community as a SRO. He passed away in March of 2025.