At First Presbyterian Academy, we are a small school doing BIG things! We are small by design, but we still offer many of the extracurricular and student organizations that a bigger school offers. Our goal is to give our students the most opportunities to see where they shine! Some of the Upper School Student Organizations that we offer are:
National Honor Society (Grades 10-12)
Sponsor- Brent King
The National Honor Society (NHS) is a nationwide organization that recognizes and encourages academic achievement while also promoting strong character and leadership among high school students. NHS is built on four pillars:
- Scholarship Maintaining strong academic performance and a commitment to learning
- Character Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and responsibility in all areas of life
- Leadership Positively influencing others and taking initiative in school or community activities
Service Volunteering time and talents to improve the school and community.
Students are invited to apply for membership based on their academic record, and they must demonstrate excellence in the other three pillars through essays, recommendations, or interviews.National Junior Honor Society (Grades 7-9)
Sponsor- Brent King
The National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) is a nationwide organization that recognizes and encourages academic achievement while also promoting strong character and leadership among high school students.
NJHS is built on four pillars:
- Scholarship Maintaining strong academic performance and a commitment to learning
- Character Demonstrating integrity, honesty, and responsibility in all areas of life
- Leadership Positively influencing others and taking initiative in school or community activities
- Service Volunteering time and talents to improve the school and community.
Students are invited to apply for membership based on their academic record.
Key Club (Grades 9-12)
Sponsor- April Milby
Key Club is an international, student-led organization that teaches leadership through service to others. It is the oldest and largest high school service organization in the world, founded in 1925 and sponsored by Kiwanis International.
Key Club members focus on building character, developing leadership skills, and serving their school and community. The club emphasizes three core values:
- Leadership – Developing skills through planning and leading service projects.
- Character Building – Making ethical choices and acting with integrity.
- Caring – Showing compassion by helping others and improving the community.
Members volunteer in a wide variety of ways—organizing fundraisers, supporting local charities, mentoring younger students, and participating in service events. Through these experiences, students grow as leaders while making a positive impact locally and globally.
Central Spirit Committee (Grades 7-12)
Sponsor- Amber Thompson
The Central Spirit Committee is a student-led group dedicated to fostering school pride and building a strong, positive community at our school. Members plan and organize exciting events such as Spirit Week, Homecoming festivities, pep rallies, and other school-sponsored activities. Through creativity, teamwork, and leadership, the committee helps bring our school’s traditions to life and ensures that every student has opportunities to participate, celebrate, and feel connected.
Youth in Government (Grades 6-12)
Sponsor- Libba Urps
YIG is a year‑round civic‑engagement program for middle and high school students in South Carolina, designed to help young people understand how government works, participate in it, and develop leadership skills. Students form delegations (often from their school) and take on roles such as legislators (writing, debating, and voting on bills), lobbyists, attorneys and witnesses for mock trials, members of the executive branch, or media/press corps. Preparation begins shortly after school begins in August and students travel to Columbia, SC in November for the YIG Conference.
Athletes Bridging and Connecting (Varsity Athletes)
Sponsor- The Athletic Department
The goal of the program is to establish and build relationships between our high school varsity athletes and our preschool and lower school students. Varsity athletes attend recess with lower school classes several times per semester.
Ambassadors
Sponsor- The Admissions Department, Marian Martin and Diana Van Houten
The Student Ambassador Program is a leadership opportunity for students in grades 6–12 who reflect the values and mission of First Presbyterian Academy. Ambassadors support Admissions, welcome new and prospective students, and represent the school at events. Interested students apply in early April and complete an application, receive teacher recommendations, and interview with the Admissions Team, before a final selection is made. Selected Ambassadors are notified before the end of the school year and begin service in late summer. The program is divided into three levels:
Armor Ambassadors (Grades 11-12)
Upperclassmen selected for this prestigious role help lead campus tours, speak on student panels, host shadow students and support events on both the Shannon Forest and Downtown campuses.
Impact Ambassadors (Grades 7-10)
Impact Ambassadors support school events, host shadow students, and mentor the Junior Ambassadors. This level focuses on developing leadership skills through active involvement.
Junior Ambassadors (Grade 6)
Junior Ambassadors are paired with Impact Ambassadors and participate in events to begin building leadership experience at FPA. They will also be trained on how to host shadow day students.
Art Club
Sponsor - Maridel Shaw
The Crusader Art Club is meant to provide creative and artistic appreciation for students. The CAC members participate in individual, school-wide, and community based art projects, which will increase each student’s confidence as well as help, develop a sense of school and community pride. Students will be building leadership, teamwork, social skills, building self-esteem, and critical thinking skills, which will help students not only in the Art Club, but when they continue their education in post education atmosphere. Students do not have to have artistic skill to join the club, but must have an appreciation of the visual arts.
Marketing and Communications Club
Sponsor - Sheila Price
The Marketing & Communications Club was created to empower students to bring their creativity to life through real-world experiences. From capturing the perfect photo to producing dynamic videos, designing eye-catching graphics, and hosting engaging podcasts, members get hands-on opportunities to tell FPA’s story in exciting new ways. Students learn to see campus life through a marketing lens—interviewing their peers, covering school events, and gaining valuable media experience that blends creativity, communication, and purpose.