Central Arkansas Christian Schools

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
Map
1 Windsong Drive

,
Pulaski County
,
Arkansas
72113

United States
Coordinates34°48′55″N 92°21′18″W / 34.81528°N 92.35500°W / 34.81528; -92.35500
Information
Religious affiliation(s)Christianity
DenominationChurches of Christ
Opened1971 (53 years ago) (1971)
FounderDoug Freeman
StatusOpen
CEEB code041223
PresidentAndy Stewart
PrincipalJamie Custer
GradesPK3-12
Enrollment940
Student to teacher ratio13.1[citation needed]
Classes offeredRegular, Advanced Placement
Hours in school day8:00 am – 3:25 pm
Campus"Mustang Mountain" (6th-12th), Pleasant Valley (PreK3-5th), and North Little Rock (PreK3-5th)
Campus size40 acres (16 ha)
Campus typeSuburban
Color(s)Purple and Vegas gold
  
Athletics conference4A 2
SportsFootball, basketball, soccer, baseball, wrestling, tennis, bowling, cross country, golf, volleyball, track and field, swimming
MascotMustang horse
NicknameCAC
Team nameCAC Mustangs
RivalHarding Academy
AccreditationAdvancED
Arkansas Non-public Schools Accrediting Association
AffiliationNational Christian School Association,
The College Board
Websitewww.cacmustangs.org

History

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Central 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

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Central 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

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The Central Arkansas Christian High School mascot and athletic emblem is the Mustang with purple and gold serving as the school colors.

Athletics

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The 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

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References

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  1. ^ a b "History & Mission". Central Arkansas Christian Schools. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ "Largest Arkansas Private Schools". Private School Review. 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  4. ^ "District IV Member Institutions". Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  5. ^ a b Stewart, Jeffery. "Private School Movement". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 29, 2019 – via www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net.
  6. ^ Tempest, Rone (February 28, 1982). "Troubled Arkansas school becomes best in state". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Room to grow". Arkansas Business. 2003-08-25. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  8. ^ Parker, Suzi (August 11, 1997). "Tough-talkin' Pat plays Dixie". Salon. Retrieved December 9, 2008 – via www.salon.com.
  9. ^ "Central Arkansas Christian". Arkansas Activities Association. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  10. ^ "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.
  11. ^ Couch, Martin (May 28, 2008). "Lady Mustangs win AAA softball championship". The Maumelle Monitor. Retrieved December 10, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  12. ^ "Singing about an 'Upside Down Kingdom'". The Christian Chronicle. June 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  13. ^ "Central Arkansas Christian School Athletics" (PDF). Central Arkansas Christian Schools. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
  14. ^ "Central Arkansas Christian". Arkansas Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  15. ^ "CAC adds varsity wrestling" (PDF). Central Arkansas Christian Schools. May 30, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2008.[permanent dead link]
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ Adelson, Eric (July 23, 2003). "ESPN The Magazine: Oh, Baby!". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2019 – via www.espn.com.
  18. ^ "The 2004 Miss USA Delegates". Anurun Production, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  19. ^ "Steven McRoberts - Women's Volleyball Coach".
  20. ^ "PAPER TRAILS: Hollywood hair is Arkansan wig guru's flair". 23 September 2018.
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