Carolina Adventist Academy

         In the summer of 1996, a small group of people originally from the Philadelphia Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church in Council, NC met with the South Atlantic Conference of SDA K-12 School Board in Atlanta, GA to present a proposal for a SDA school in rural NC. There was a vacant school building in Clarkton, NC available at a reasonable cost and so the proposal was approved. The Lord worked, allowing the small group to raise the $6,000.00 earnest money required by the K-12 School Board. 

The small school not only stayed in operation over the next 27 years, but steadily grew. Originally called Philadelphia Adventist Junior Academy, its current name is Carolina Adventist Academy (CAA). The location also changed from Clarkton, to Council, to N. Lee Street in Whiteville and more recently to Chadbourn, but the final permanent home 3710 James B. White Highway, South was realized at the Groundbreaking ceremony on January 23, 2005. Despite the name and location changes, Christ has always been first in the school's curriculum and academic excellence is always the goal. Carolina Adventist Academy occupied its current and permanent location in January 2007. 

The permanent location also houses Praise Tabernacle of SDA who's Grand Opening services were in December 2006. 

The school has been blessed with the leadership of past chairpersons who kept alive the vision of quality Christian education: 
Mrs. Gwen Chancy 
Dr. Charlotte Vernett
Ms. Barbara Floyd
Mrs. Fonda Frink
Dr. Richard Berry
Mrs. Charlene Berry
Mrs. Syrita Mills (2020-Present)

We have had willing principals who took on the task of an administrative and teaching position:
Mr. Gene Freeman (1996-1997)
Ms. Ella Hamer 
Ms. Joyce Dyson
Ms. Dianne Chunn
Mr. John Gabla 
Dr. Evelyn Tucker (2004-2006)
Dr. Robin Young (2006-2007)
Mrs. Karen Taylor (2007-2020)
Ms. Angelina Mahone (2020-2021)
Ms. Antannia Aguilar (2021-2022)
Mrs. Caralieta Thompson (2022-2023)
Ms. Khandi Cooper (2023-Present)

Approaching our third decade in existence, CAA is now a trusted and established organization in the community of Columbus County, NC. The arc of its mission has been fully realized in the lives of a generation. As a tribute to quality education, many graduates of the school are now in college, postgraduate studies or in professional roles as physicians, teachers, scientists, attorneys and a host of other vocational pursuits. 

CAA is prepared to teach the next generation. Our reach has broadened to all children in our community, coming from all walks of life. With a timeless mission and 21st century tools, we strive to prepare them for the Kingdom to come through quality SDA Christian education.