The Student Government Association (SGA) of Cape Fear Academy is the student organization that serves the Upper School student population by advocating student concerns to faculty and administration, coordinating social events, and facilitating new and existing clubs and organizations. The SGA relies heavily upon energetic and invested student representatives who are elected annually from the student body. The elected representatives can serve on the Executive Board, as class officers, or as House captains or vice captains.

House Cup is a friendly competition of intellectual and athletic contests between teams made up of Upper School students from various grades as a way to build community and allow students to meet their peers across all grades. Contests from previous years include: Flag Football, Trivia, March Madness and Poker tournaments. Points are also earned by classes whose members excel in service to the community and involvement in school and beyond. The winning “House” is one that earns the most points in a given school year, claiming the title “House Cup Winner,” and of course, bragging rights.

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 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.

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. Following is a sample list of clubs.

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.

Auto Club: Establish a community of people who all have an interest in cars and want to make friends with the same interests and/or help their school along with charities.

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.

Broadcasting Club: Produces a student-led news show called Hurricane Watch.

CFA Pride: A group for LGBTQIA+ students and their allies to gather for fellowship and service to our campus and community. 

Coding Club: Enable the students to grasp the fundamentals of programming while also learning to collaborate with other students well; Give the students explore and experiment with the subject as a possible career path; Help students with in and out of course work, for people who are dedicated to the program/industry/career Enhance each of the members’ programming skills.

Diversity Club: To do on and off campus service to promote engagement across differences in the CFA community and the greater Wilmington region.

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.

FUSS Club: The FUSS Club provides an opportunity for spirited discussion of everything from current events to school concerns to pop culture. Students propose topics and then vote on that month’s agenda via a monthly poll. Preparation for the conversation is encouraged but not required.

Head of School’s Advisory Board: The purpose of the HOS Advisory Boards is to assist the Head of School to carry out more effectively its mission, which is to create a transforming educational experience for students focused on deep disciplinary knowledge; problem solving; leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills; and personal health and well-being.

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.

Improv: To work as a team to create improvised scenes and stories. To strengthen the skills of critical thinking, public speaking, teamwork, and so many more. Another great benefit of this club is that it would provide MUCH needed anxiety relief and increased personal confidence to participants.

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

Young Democrats: To organize voter registration drives, attend rallies, bring in guest speakers to talk to the student body on important issues. We are an outlet in which students who lean left on the political spectrum will be able to express their beliefs, by supporting the Democratic party.

Young Republicans: To generate interest in current political, economic, and social issues. To offer young politically minded students an opportunity for discussion, debate, service opportunities, and to promote political activism.

Our Honor Societies provides students who are particularly focused and engaged in a certain area to explore these interests in depth through guided coursework and extracurricular opportunities. Honor societies promote the values of higher education; foster excellence in scholarship, leadership, service, and research; and adhere to the standards of honor society excellence. Students who successfully complete all requirements will graduate with distinction.

International Thespian Society: The International Thespian Society is an honor society for theatre arts students. To be eligible for lifetime Thespian membership, students in grades nine through twelve must attend a school with an active Thespian troupe and complete a sufficient quantity and quality of work in theatre arts. Thespians may earn additional honors for work done after induction. Most Thespian benefits last through grade twelve. Graduated members become Thespian alumni.

National Honor Society: National Honor Society (NHS) membership is open to students in grades 10, 11, and 12 depending on the date of induction ceremonies. Each year, a faculty council selects members for admission to NHS based upon the following criteria established by the National Honor Society and excerpted from the National Honor Society Handbook: scholarship, leadership, service, and character.

Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica: The purpose of the Sociedad Honoraria Hispanica is to promote Hispanic culture, to enhance the knowledge of its members about Hispanic culture and share this knowledge with others; to encourage its members to participate in local and statewide events related to the Hispanic population and culture, and to provide opportunities for humanitarian efforts both locally and internationally.

 

9th Grade: Bald Head Island
Each fall, the ninth grade class takes a day long adventure to Bald Head Island paddle boarding, kayaking, exploring the island on bicycles, hearing from the Executive Director of the Bald Head Island Conservancy, completing a community service project, completing an on-island Scavenger Hunt, and building friendships with their classmates.

10th Grade: Falls Lake Outdoor Adventure
The annual sophomore class trip takes place at Falls Lake State Recreation Area outside of Durham, North Carolina. The adventure consists of camping and canoeing over three days and two nights 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, set-up camp, wilderness and water safety, and rely on each other to navigate challenges faced throughout the day. School administrators and faculty partner with the National Center for Outdoor Adventure Education Representatives to plan and execute this event.

11th Grade: Junior Outdoor Expedition
Annually, the Junior Class travels to the Pisgah National Forest for the Junior Outdoor Expedition. The trip consists of hiking and camping in a wilderness setting while students carry with them all of their group’s food, cooking equipment, tents, clothes, and sleeping bags. The trip provides daily leadership opportunities for all students such as cooks for the day, gear organizer, hydration crew, navigators, and more. This shared experience creates memories for the class that are remembered in the years and decades after they graduate from high school. School administrators and faculty partner with the National Center for Outdoor Adventure Education Representatives to plan and execute this event.

• Fall Festival
• Holly Ball
• Spirit Week
• Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally
• Jr./Sr. Prom
• Bell Ringing
• Senior Day
• Salute to Seniors