History and Growth

The Roger Bacon Academy was founded in 1999, by Mr. Baker Mitchell. He had a mission of opening charter schools that provided the highest quality educational experience emphasizing safety, character, and scholarship.

After applying for a charter from the State of North Carolina, he started the first school with only 53 students in kindergarten through second grade. Now, campuses in the organization begin in kindergarten and continue to the eighth grade with a student population of over 2,500 students!

1996

Charter Schools granted in North Carolina. The Combined Text of House Bill 955 ratified on June 21, 1996.

1999

Baker Mitchell applies for a charter and is approved to open Charter Day School in rural Leland, NC.

2000

Charter Day School starts its first year with 53 students and finishes with 72 in Kindergarten through 2nd grade.

2003

Charter Day School is approved for a 10-year renewal of its charter by the State Charter School Advisory Committee.
393 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade – Charter Day School rates as a School of Distinction with High Growth.
Charter Day School adds extra-curricular programs: The Roger Bacon Academy Twirlettes, Cub Scouts Pack 705 and a school chorus.

2004

Record enrollment for Charter Day School of over 520 students in Kindergarten through 6th grade – lottery is held for applications.
The Roger Bacon Academy Martial Arts Club is established by instructor Mike Frank.

2005

Charter Day School is recognized as an Honor School of Excellence and recognized as a TOP 25 of 1,800 K-8 schools statewide.
Charter Day School begins to offer a band program – immediately flourishes.

2006

Expanded RBA cheer squads win 1st place in 8-state competition and compete in Nationals at Disney World.
Columbus Charter School in Whiteville, NC is established on August 3.
FASTAR – Fluent Academic Skills Tournament for Arithmetic and Reading has its inaugural year at Charter Day School.

2007

Columbus Charter School finishes its first year with students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade – Steve Smith is named Headmaster of the school.
Five RBA Viking football teams complete a successful seasons in the Coastal Pop Warner football league.

2008

State-of-the-art computer lab installed at Charter Day School.

2009

Charter Day School tops list in Brunswick, Columbus counties for Highest ABC scores.
John Locke Foundation honors Baker Mitchell with the Pope Award for “Advancement of Freedom.”
A Decade of Distinction, The Roger Bacon Academy celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary with the theme: “Promises Kept.”
Columbus Charter School celebrates successful third year of “Reach for the Stars” reading program raising nearly $15,800.00.
Charter Day School Middle school implements an RBA Archery team – joins the National Archery in Schools Program for training and competition.

2010

42 acre tract acquired for future middle school at Columbus Charter School – school has grown exponentially to a robust K-5 school.
Lady Vikings cheer leading squad goes to National tournament for the fifth straight year – Pop Warner Midget team places 5th in the nation.
Charter Day School hosts first 5k cross-country race named the “Maco Light Legend” on campus – nearly 1,000 participants join in.
In it’s first year the RBA Archery team competes in the NASP World Tournament – Hunter Johnson achieves top 5 and ranked as “World Champion.”
Columbus Charter School has the highest proficiency rate in the South Central Region of North Carolina.
Charter Day School chorus and band performs at the Town Hall Forum for K-12 Education in Wilmington.
RBA Football player Forrest Kelley selected to play in Football University’s National Youth All-American Bowl held at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX.

2011

North Carolina state legislature lift the cap on charter schools.
RBA Viking Cheerleaders mark sixth return in a row to National Pop Warner tournament – our youngest team Junior Pee Wee team placed 4th in the nation.
RBA begins and develops a HAM radio club for students – HAM shack radio room built in the Middle School. FCC awards the club station the call sign of KK4AMH.
Charter Day School eighth graders visit Washington D.C. – students visit the White House, Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol building among other stops.
Exceptional Students from Charter Day School triumph at the Brunswick County Special Olympics.
RBA Archery in only it’s second year wins the N.C. State Championship and does well enough at the National tournament to compete in the NASP World Tournament again.

2012

RBA Archery ranks 15th in the world at the NASP Archery Championship.
RBA Archery wins second consecutive State Championship Title at NASP Archery tournament.

2012-2013

Charter Day School is highest-scoring school in Brunswick County of End-of-Grade tests. It’s sister school, Columbus Charter School is the highest-scoring in Columbus County.

2013

Douglass Academy, the second satellite campus of Charter Day School, opens in downtown Wilmington.
Two RBA Viking Cheer Squads bring home National Titles- Pee Wee Intermediate Large and Midget squads.
RBA Viking Cheer Squad wins sixth in Nation – Junior Pee Wee Medium Intermediate squad.
RBA Archery wins third consecutive State Championship Title at NASP Archery tournament.

2013-2014

Charter Day School is the highest-scoring school in Brunswick County on End-of-Grade tests. It’s sister school, Columbus Charter School is the highest-scoring in Columbus County.

2014

Charter Day School celebrates its 15th ANNIVERSARY!
South Brunswick Charter School, the third satellite campus of Charter Day School, opens in Southport.
Charter Day School and satellite campuses add Latin to their curriculum offerings.
Charter Day School ranked at Top-5 school district in the state.
Charter Day School awarded a 10-year renewal of its charter, the highest designation offered by the State Board of Education.
CDS 8th graders visit Washington DC, tour the Capitol, and win an essay contest allowing them the honor of participating in the Laying of the Wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
RBA Archery wins fifth consecutive State Championship Title at NASP Archery tournament.
Lieutenant Governor, Dan Forest visits Douglass Academy, applauds success of curriculum and programs of our schools.
Two RBA Cheer squads bring home the program’s SIXTH consecutive National Titles – Midget and Pee Wee Large Intermediate squads.
RBA Cheer squad awarded Pop Warner National Championship Spirit of Sport Award – Junior Pee Wee Intermediate.

2015

CDS 8th graders visit Washington DC, tour the Capitol, and are again invited to particiapte in the honor of the Laying of the Wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
RBA Archery wins SIXTH consecutive State Championship Title at NASP Archery Tournament.

2016

7th grade teacher David Johnson wins North Carolina Science Teacher Association “Distinguished Service” award.
Archery team wins NC State Championship for seventh straight year.
CDS wins Wesley Becker Excellent School Award from the National Institute For Direct Instruction.
Cheerleader Squad wins ninth national title.

2017