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 and Superintendent Mark Cramer 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 1,400 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.

2003 – 393 students in Kindergarten through 5th grade – Charter Day School rates as a School of Distinction with High Growth.

2003 – 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.

2004 – 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.

2005 – 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.

2006 – Columbus Charter School in Whiteville, NC is established on August 3.

2006 – FASTAR – Fluent Academic Skills Tournament for Arithmetic and Reading has its inaugural year at Charter Day School.

2007 – Five RBA Viking football teams complete successful seasons in the Coastal Pop Warner football league.

2008 – Columbus Charter School finishes its first year with students in Kindergarten through 2nd grade – Steve Smith is named Headmaster of the school.

2008 – State-of-the-art computer lab installed at Charter Day School.

2009 – Charter Day School tops list in Brunswick and Columbus counties for Highest ABC scores.

2009 – John Locke Foundation honors Baker Mitchell with the Pope Award for “Advancement of Freedom.”

2009 – A Decade of Distinction, The Roger Bacon Academy celebrates it’s 10 year anniversary with the theme: “Promises Kept.”

2009 – Columbus Charter School celebrates successful third year of “Reach for the Stars” reading program raising nearly $15,800.00.

2009 – 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.

2010 – Lady Vikings cheerleading squad goes to national tournament for the fifth straight year – Pop Warner Midget team places 5th in the nation.

2010 – Charter Day School hosts first 5k cross-country race named the “Maco Light Legend” on campus – nearly 200 participants join in.

2010 – 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.”

2010 – Columbus Charter School has the highest proficiency rate in the South Central Region of North Carolina.

2010 – Charter Day School chorus and band performs at the Town Hall Forum for K-12 Education in Wilmington.

2010 – 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.

2011 – 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.

2011 – 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.

2011 – 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.

2011 – Exceptional Students from Charter Day School triumph at the Brunswick County Special Olympics.

2011 – 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.