At First Presbyterian Academy, we believe education is about more than preparing students for what comes next. It is about helping them discover who God has created them to be and equipping them to pursue their calling with confidence, character, and faith.
Founded in 1953, First Presbyterian Academy has a long tradition of Christ-centered education in Greenville, South Carolina. Today, FPA serves students from preschool through 12th grade in a community where students are known, challenged, and called.
The truth of God’s Word is woven throughout the FPA experience, shaping how our students learn, how we care for one another, and how we approach academics, athletics, fine arts, service, and everyday life. We pair a strong college-preparatory education with intentional discipleship and meaningful opportunities for students to discover their gifts, develop their interests, and grow into the people God has called them to become.
Our school is intentionally relational. Smaller class sizes allow teachers to truly know their students, recognize their strengths, encourage their growth, and challenge them to reach their highest potential. At the same time, FPA offers a breadth of opportunities that allows students to explore, lead, compete, create, serve, and belong.
Our Mission
First Presbyterian Academy cultivates a Christ-centered school community where students are educated, discipled, and equipped to pursue their calling.
This mission is at the heart of everything we do. We want students to receive an exceptional education, but our purpose extends beyond academic achievement. We seek to develop students who know Christ, understand their God-given gifts, and are prepared to use those gifts faithfully wherever He calls them.
Our Vision
We envision generations of graduates who flourish spiritually, academically, relationally, and vocationally, whose lives reflect the character of Christ, whose work honors God’s purposes, and whose faith endures for eternity.
Our vision looks beyond graduation day. We are preparing students not simply for college or a career, but for lives of purpose. Whether they are learning in a classroom, building relationships, serving their communities, pursuing a profession, or leading their own families, we want FPA graduates to carry with them a faith and foundation that lasts.
Our Core Values
Our Core Values define the kind of community we strive to cultivate and guide the way we teach, lead, serve, and grow together.
ROOTED IN CHRIST | Everything we do begins with Jesus Christ and the truth of His Word. We seek to follow Him faithfully, depend on Him prayerfully, and honor Him in our learning, relationships, and daily lives.
"And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together." — Colossians 1:17
KNOWN AND LOVED | We believe people thrive when they are deeply known, genuinely loved, and intentionally cared for. We cultivate authentic relationships where everyone experiences belonging, encouragement, and support.
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another." — John 13:35
INTENTIONAL DISCIPLESHIP | We are committed to helping students grow as followers of Jesus through mentorship, biblical truth, meaningful relationships, and daily examples of faithful living.
"And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others." — 2 Timothy 2:2
JOYFUL SERVICE | We promote a culture of service marked by gratitude, encouragement, and celebration. We strive to joyfully and humbly follow the example of Christ as we serve others.
"For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." — Mark 10:45
FAITHFUL STEWARDSHIP | We faithfully steward the gifts, opportunities, relationships, and resources God has entrusted to us. We equip students to live out their highest potential academically and in all areas of their lives. We pursue excellence, responsibility, and integrity as an act of worship.
"Moreover, it is required of stewards that they be found faithful." — 1 Corinthians 4:2
The FPA Experience
Our Mission, Vision, and Core Values come to life each day through the experiences we provide our students. At First Presbyterian Academy, students are given opportunities to grow academically, spiritually, creatively, physically, and relationally.
From rigorous college-preparatory academics and advanced coursework to competitive athletics, fine arts, leadership, service, and extracurricular opportunities, students are encouraged to discover their strengths and pursue excellence. Along the way, they are surrounded by faculty and staff who see teaching as more than a profession. They invest personally in their students, model their faith, and partner with families during some of the most formative years of a young person's life.
Our students are challenged to think deeply, work diligently, lead courageously, serve joyfully, and recognize that their talents and opportunities are gifts to be stewarded well.
Known. Challenged. Called.
Known. Challenged. Called. At FPA, these words describe more than an educational philosophy. They describe the experience we want for every student.
Students are known through authentic relationships with teachers, coaches, mentors, and friends who recognize their individual strengths and encourage their growth.
Students are challenged through meaningful academic experiences and opportunities that push them to think critically, persevere, create, compete, lead, and pursue excellence.
And students are called to look beyond achievement alone and consider how God can use their gifts, education, relationships, and experiences for His purposes.
From a student's first days at FPA through graduation and beyond, our desire is to cultivate a foundation that prepares them not only for their next step, but for a lifetime of faithful purpose.
This is Calling Prep.