School News- 10/22/2025
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October is National Principals Month! This month, we are proud to celebrate our dedicated and passionate Classical Charter Schools of America Headmasters. They work tirelessly to support our students, staff, and families, both in the classroom and out. As we close out October, be sure to take a moment to let your headmaster know how much you appreciate them!
Mrs. Laurie Benton, CCS-Leland Headmaster Mrs. Jessica Fortier, CCS-Leland Asst. Headmaster Mrs. Leslie Smith, CCS-Wilmington Headmaster Mrs. Amanda Sauls, CCS-Southport Headmaster Mrs. Kimberly Patrick, CCS-Whiteville Headmaster Mrs. Leslie Strickland, CCS-Whiteville Asst. Headmaster
Headmasters, thank you for everything you do each and every day to lead, inspire, and make a difference. CCS-America wouldn’t be the same without you! *************
CCS-America Art Shines in Brunswick Poster Contest CCS-America offers a well-rounded classical education that includes a strong emphasis on the arts. Art encourages creativity, critical thinking, and self-expression. All students attend a weekly art class as part of their “resource” rotation. Middle school students have the option to choose art as one of their electives for a more in-depth art experience. Each year, students from CCS-Leland and CCS-Southport participate in the poster contest at the Brunswick County Intercultural Festival. Last year, students from both schools placed very high. CCS-Southport fourth-grader Jordyn Ernstes won Best in Show and had her winning artwork featured on this year’s Festival flyer. This year, CCS-Leland art students earned top honors in both the elementary and middle school divisions of the contest. Check out the winners below: Elementary Poster Contest: 1st place- Angelina Young- CCS-Leland 2nd place- Diauna Dai Latham- CCS-Leland 3rd place- Renee Rey- CCS-Leland Middle School Poster Contest: 1st place- Lola Myers- Shallotte Middle School 2nd place- Julia Murray- CCS-Leland 3rd place- Dyviah Seabrook- CCS-Leland Congratulations to these students for their outstanding creativity and hard work! We are proud of how greatly you represented the CCS-America art program. *************
Spread the Word About CCS-America! With Open Enrollment for the 2026-2027 school year just over a month away, we want to share with the world what makes CCS-America so special, straight from the people who know it best: our students, families, and alumni! Take this short survey on Niche.com letting other families know how much you enjoy your school and be entered for a chance to win $1,000! This is open to students, parents, and recent alumni. Enter your full school’s name in the search bar (Classical Charter Schools of Leland/ Southport/ Whiteville/ Wilmington) and click the “Start Survey” button. As a reminder, Open Enrollment begins on December 1st! Thank you for helping us share the CCS-America experience! *************
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National Beta Schools of MeritCCS-Leland and CCS-Whiteville have been named 2024-2025 National Beta Schools of Merit by the National Beta Club, the nation’s largest independent student honor society. The award honors Beta Clubs that include members from all eligible grade levels and reflect a strong commitment to academic excellence, leadership, and service.Both schools also achieved top national rankings at the 2025 National Beta Convention in Orlando. CCS-Whiteville’s Elementary Robotics team (made up of Adam Ahmad, Caleb Hobbs, Hunter Thomas, Ryan Martin, and John Hudson Richardson) placed tenth, while CCS-Leland had two students place individually. Jace Granda placed tenth in 6th Grade U.S. History, and Alex Eaton placed ninth in 7th Grade U.S. History.”At our school, we strive to cultivate leadership, service, and academic excellence. National Beta embodies all of that and more,” said Laurie Benton, headmaster of CCS-Leland. “I couldn’t be prouder of our Beta Club students. Their achievements reflect not only their dedication and character, but also the spirit of our entire school community.”Kimberly Patrick, headmaster of CCS-Whiteville, echoed Benton’s sentiment. “Our Beta Club has continued to shine on the national level, and I am so proud of them. These students truly represent what CCS-America is all about.”
Staff Spotlight: Andrea VitoloThe Roger Bacon Academy is dedicated to internal growth and promotion. Our leadership works to recognize talent, nurture potential, and promote from within. Andrea Vitolo’s journey illustrates this commitment. Her dedication and drive have taken her from the classroom to a key role in the RBA Corporate Office.Andrea began her journey at RBA in August 2015 when she joined CCS-Leland as a substitute teacher, primarily supporting 3rd grade classrooms. Just one month later, she accepted a full-time position as a Kindergarten Teaching Assistant. She remained in this role for several years, building a strong foundation in early childhood education and experiencing firsthand the impact of an RBA education.In July 2021, Andrea advanced to the position of Kindergarten Interventionist, where she provided targeted support for students needing additional academic assistance. Her commitment to student success and her growing skill set did not go unnoticed. In November of the same year, she continued her professional growth by joining the RBA Corporate Office as a Finance Assistant. In this role, she continued to expand her knowledge and gained hands-on experience in financial operations.In 2023, Andrea was promoted to Payroll and Benefits Coordinator, her current role. She now manages payroll processing and employee benefits administration for RBA staff.Andrea’s journey is a testament to both her hard work and RBA’s strong culture of supporting and promoting talent from within. This month, Andrea celebrates ten years at CCS-America and RBA. We are proud to have her as a member of the RBA family and look forward to all she will accomplish in the years to come.*************
CCS-America Dresses for Success!CCS-America schools have Dress for Success Days throughout the year to help students build the habit of dressing in a nice and professional fashion. While participation is optional, these days are designed to give students the opportunity to experience the benefits of dressing professionally. Research shows that dressing professionally can boost confidence, improve performance, and strengthen communication skills.Dressing professionally is a lifelong skill, especially in situations where it is important to make a good first impression. Students will carry this habit into college interviews, job interviews, business meetings, and many other future opportunities.Students will have several chances to wear their Dress for Success outfits throughout the year. The first Dress for Success Day is tomorrow, August 28th. We encourage all students to participate!Upcoming Dress for Success Days:September 18thOctober 30thNovember 25thDecember 18thVisit the links below to get your student’s Dress for Success items:
