Central Arkansas Christian Schools (CAC) is a group of three private schools based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, United States. CAC was established in 1971 at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ in Sherwood, Arkansas.[1] Because of its foundation date, the school has been categorized as a segregation academy although enrollment records indicate black students were enrolled in the school as early as 1974.[2] The Central Arkansas Christian School system includes a combination middle and high school campus in North Little Rock and two elementary schools: a campus in Pleasant Valley/Little Rock and a campus in North Little Rock.[1] Together, they composed the state's fourth-largest combined private school for the 2018-19 school year.[3] The schools are "affiliated" with (but not operated or owned by) the Churches of Christ and are members of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.[4]
| Central Arkansas Christian Schools | |
|---|---|
| Address | |
 | |
1 Windsong Drive , Pulaski County , Arkansas 72113 United States | |
| Coordinates | 34°48′55″N 92°21′18″W / 34.81528°N 92.35500°W |
| Information | |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christianity |
| Denomination | Churches of Christ |
| Opened | 1971 |
| Founder | Doug Freeman |
| Status | Open |
| CEEB code | 041223 |
| President | Andy Stewart |
| Principal | Jamie Custer |
| Grades | PK3-12 |
| Enrollment | 940 |
| Student to teacher ratio | 13.1[citation needed] |
| Classes offered | Regular, Advanced Placement |
| Hours in school day | 8:00 am – 3:25 pm |
| Campus | "Mustang Mountain" (6th-12th), Pleasant Valley (PreK3-5th), and North Little Rock (PreK3-5th) |
| Campus size | 40 acres (16 ha) |
| Campus type | Suburban |
| Color(s) | Purple and Vegas gold |
| Athletics conference | 4A 2 |
| Sports | Football, basketball, soccer, baseball, wrestling, tennis, bowling, cross country, golf, volleyball, track and field, swimming |
| Mascot | Mustang horse |
| Nickname | CAC |
| Team name | CAC Mustangs |
| Rival | Harding Academy |
| Accreditation | AdvancED Arkansas Non-public Schools Accrediting Association |
| Affiliation | National Christian School Association, The College Board |
| Website | www |
History
editCentral Arkansas Christian School opened in 1971. Because of the timing of the school's establishment, it has been categorized as a segregation academy, a term associated with private schools established in response to the court ordered racial integration of public schools.[5][6] The "founders of the school repeatedly stated that admission was open to all regardless of race." Black students were enrolled in the school as early as 1974.[2][5]
The organization bought 40 acres (16 ha) of adjacent land, for $500,000 in August 2003, to allow further expansion.[7] Notable visitors to the school include Pat Buchanan, who spoke to the high school students in 1999.[8]
Academics
editCentral Arkansas Christian School is fully accredited by AdvancED and the Arkansas Non-public Schools Accrediting Association. CAC is also a member of the National Christian School Association and The College Board.
Extracurricular activities
editThe Central Arkansas Christian High School mascot and athletic emblem is the Mustang with purple and gold serving as the school colors.
Athletics
editThe CAC Mustangs participate in the 4A Classification within the 4A 2 Conference as administered by the Arkansas Activities Association. The Mustangs compete in football, volleyball, golf (boys/girls), cross country (boys/girls), basketball (boys/girls), soccer (boys/girls), cheer, swimming and driving (boys/girls), tennis (boys/girls), baseball, fastpitch softball, wrestling, track and field (boys/girls), and bowling (boys/girls).[9]
Central Arkansas Christian High School has won many state championships including:
- Football: 2004.
- Golf: 1994, 1997, 2005, 2012 (boys); 2015 (girls)
- Basketball: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2018 (girls) 2024 (boys)
- Baseball: 1990, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2009
- Tennis: 1982, 1998, 2005, 2010 (boys)
- Soccer: 2006–08, 2012–13, 2016–19 (girls); 2008, 2015, 2019 (boys)[10]
- Softball: 2006 (AAA)[11]
- Wrestling: 2008[12]
- Bowling: 2021 (girls)[13]
CAC became the first private school in Arkansas to add wrestling to their program.[14][15][16] The wrestling team won the 2008 Arkansas Wrestling Association championship, in the 1A-4A classification.
Notable alumni
edit- A. J. Burnett (1995)—Athlete; Major League Baseball (MLB) professional pitcher.[17]
- Jennifer Sherrill (2002)—Miss Arkansas USA 2004.[18]
- D. J. Williams (2007)—Athlete; NFL professional football player.
- Joe Adams (2008)—Athlete; NFL professional football player.
- Christyn Williams (2018)—Athlete; 2018 Gatorade National Player of the Year, University of Connecticut women's basketball player
- Steven McRoberts (1988)—Missouri State Volleyball Coach [19]
- Rob Pickens (2014) —Wigmaster[20]
References
edit- ^ a b "History & Mission". Central Arkansas Christian Schools. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ a b Stewart, Jeffrey (Spring 2014). "Central Arkansas Christian School: A Study of the Relationship between Public School Desegregation and Private Schools". Pulaski County Historical Review. 62: 2–15. ISSN 0552-5799.
- ^ "Largest Arkansas Private Schools". Private School Review. 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ "District IV Member Institutions". Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
- ^ a b Stewart, Jeffery. "Private School Movement". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 29, 2019 – via www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net.
- ^ Tempest, Rone (February 28, 1982). "Troubled Arkansas school becomes best in state". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
- ^ "Room to grow". Arkansas Business. 2003-08-25. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ Parker, Suzi (August 11, 1997). "Tough-talkin' Pat plays Dixie". Salon. Retrieved December 9, 2008 – via www.salon.com.
- ^ "Central Arkansas Christian". Arkansas Activities Association. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^ "Arkansas High School Sports Record Book" (PDF). Arkansas High School Activities Association. July 2008. Archived from the original (PDF) on July 18, 2011. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ Couch, Martin (May 28, 2008). "Lady Mustangs win AAA softball championship". The Maumelle Monitor. Retrieved December 10, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Singing about an 'Upside Down Kingdom'". The Christian Chronicle. June 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ "Central Arkansas Christian School Athletics" (PDF). Central Arkansas Christian Schools. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
- ^ "Central Arkansas Christian". Arkansas Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ "CAC adds varsity wrestling" (PDF). Central Arkansas Christian Schools. May 30, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2008.[permanent dead link]
- ^ Walker, Nick (November 28, 2006). "Wrestling trying to take hold". Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Archived from the original on January 9, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
- ^ Adelson, Eric (July 23, 2003). "ESPN The Magazine: Oh, Baby!". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2019 – via www.espn.com.
- ^ "The 2004 Miss USA Delegates". Anurun Production, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
- ^ "Steven McRoberts - Women's Volleyball Coach".
- ^ "PAPER TRAILS: Hollywood hair is Arkansan wig guru's flair". 23 September 2018.
