Central Arkansas Christian Schools

Central Arkansas Christian Schools (CAC) is a group of three private schools based in North Little Rock, Arkansas, USA. CAC was established in 1971 at Sylvan Hills Church of Christ in Sherwood, Arkansas.[2] 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.[3] 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.[2] Together, they composed the state's fourth-largest combined private school for the 2018-19 school year.[4] The schools are "affiliated" w ith (but not operated or owned by) the Churches of Christ and are members of the Council for Advancement and Support of Education.[5]

Central Arkansas Christian Schools
Address
Central Arkansas Christian Schools
1 Windsong Drive

North Little Rock
,
Pulaski County
,
Arkansas
72113

United States
Coordinates34°48′55″N 92°21′18″W
Information
Religious affiliation(s)Christianity
DenominationChurches of Christ
Opened1971
FounderDoug Freeman
StatusOpen
PresidentCarter Lambert
PrincipalAndy Stewart[1]
GradesPK3-12
Enrollment850
Student to teacher ratio13.1
Classes offeredRegular, Advanced Placement
Hours in school day8:00 am – 3:30 pm
Campus"Mustang Mountain" (6th-12th), Pleasant Valley (PreK3-5th), and North Little Rock (PreK3-5th)
Campus size40 acres (16 ha)
Campus typeSuburban
School color(s)     Purple
     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
RivalPulaski Academy, Little Rock Christian Academy, Baptist Preparatory
AccreditationAdvancED
Arkansas Non-public Schools Accrediting Association
AffiliationNational Christian School Association,
The College Board
Websitewww.cacmustangs.org

History

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.[6][7] Although categorized as a segregation academy, the "founders of the school repeatedly stated that admission was open to all regardless of race." Additionally, black students were enrolled in the school as early as 1974.[3][6]

The organization bought 40 acres (16 ha) of adjacent land, for $500,000 in August 2003, to allow further expansion.[8] Notable visitors to the school include Pat Buchanan, who spoke to the high school students in 1999.[9]

Academics

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

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

Athletics

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).[10]

Central Arkansas Christian High School has won many state championships including:

  • Football: The Mustangs football team won a state football championship in 2004.
  • Golf: Five boys' golf teams were state golf champions with titles in 1994, 1997, 2005, and 2012. The girls' team took home the 2015 title.
  • Basketball: The girls' basketball team won three consecutive state basketball championships in 2005, 2006, and 2007. The girls' team won again in 2018.
  • Baseball: The Mustangs baseball team was six times state baseball champion in 1990, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2004, and 2009.
  • Tennis: The boys' tennis team was state tennis champion in 1982, 1998, 2005, and 2010.
  • Soccer: Nine times, the girls' soccer team has won the Arkansas state soccer championship (2006–08, 2012–13, 2016–19); the boys' soccer team won state titles in 2008, 2015, and 2019.[11]
  • Softball: The girls' softball team won the Class AAA state championship in 2006.[12]
  • Wrestling: In 2008. CAC became the first private school in Arkansas to add wrestling to their program.[13][14][15] The wrestling team won the 2008 Arkansas Wrestling Association championship, in the 1A-4A classification.[16] In fall 2008, high school wrestling debuted in Arkansas with a full schedule and CAC was one of forty-two schools to participate.[17] The wrestling team also won the 1A-5A state championship in 2009. The Mustangs won the 1A-5A state championship again for wrestling in 2015.

Clubs and traditions

CAC students participate in a variety of clubs and organizations including Art Club, Beta Club, Drama Club, History Club, Speech Club, National Honor Society, and Student Council.

Notable alumni
  • A. J. Burnett (1995)—Athlete; Major League Baseball (MLB) professional pitcher.[18]
  • Jennifer Sherrill (2002)—Miss Arkansas USA 2004.[19]
  • 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

References
  1. https://www.cacmustangs.org/about/administration/
  2. "History & Mission". Central Arkansas Christian Schools. Archived from the original on February 9, 2009. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  3. 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.
  4. "Largest Arkansas Private Schools". Private School Review. 2019. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
  5. "District IV Member Institutions". Council for Advancement and Support of Education. Archived from the original on June 5, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2008.
  6. Stewart, Jeffery. "Private School Movement". Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Retrieved June 29, 2019 – via www.encyclopediaofarkansas.net.
  7. Tempest, Rone (February 28, 1982). "Troubled Arkansas school becomes best in state". Los Angeles Times. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. "Room to grow". Arkansas Business. 2003-08-25. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  9. Parker, Suzi (August 11, 1997). "Tough-talkin' Pat plays Dixie". Salon. Retrieved December 9, 2008 – via www.salon.com.
  10. "Central Arkansas Christian". Arkansas Activities Association. Archived from the original on February 19, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
  11. "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.
  12. Couch, Martin (May 28, 2008). "Lady Mustangs win AAA softball championship". The Maumelle Monitor. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  13. "Central Arkansas Christian". Arkansas Wrestling Association. Archived from the original on October 21, 2008. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  14. "CAC adds varsity wrestling" (PDF). Central Arkansas Christian Schools. May 30, 2006. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  15. 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.
  16. "Singing about an 'Upside Down Kingdom'". The Christian Chronicle. June 2008. Archived from the original on 2012-06-30. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  17. Seaton, Philip (September 29, 2008). "Newly Sanctioned High School Wrestling Debuts Around State With Full Schedule". Arkansas Business. Retrieved December 10, 2008.
  18. Adelson, Eric (July 23, 2003). "ESPN The Magazine: Oh, Baby!". ESPN The Magazine. Retrieved June 29, 2019 – via www.espn.com.
  19. "The 2004 Miss USA Delegates". Anurun Production, Inc. Retrieved March 17, 2013.
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