# Central Arkansas Christian Schools

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

## 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. The "founders of the school repeatedly stated that admission was open to all regardless of race." Black students were enrolled in the school as early as 1974.
The organization bought 40 acres (16 ha) of adjacent land, for $500,000 in August 2003, to allow further expansion. Notable visitors to the school include Pat Buchanan, who spoke to the high school students in 1999.

## 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).
Central Arkansas Christian High School has won many state championships including:
* Football: 2004.
* Golf: 1994, 1997, 2005, 2012 (boys); 2015 (girls)
* Basketball: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2018 (girls) 2024 (boys)
* Baseball: 1990, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2004, 2009
* Tennis: 1982, 1998, 2005, 2010 (boys)
* Soccer: 2006–08, 2012–13, 2016–19 (girls); 2008, 2015, 2019 (boys)
* Softball: 2006 (AAA)
* Wrestling: 2008
* Bowling: 2021 (girls)
CAC became the first private school in Arkansas to add wrestling to their program. The wrestling team won the 2008 Arkansas Wrestling Association championship, in the 1A-4A classification.

## Notable alumni

* A. J. Burnett (1995)—Athlete; Major League Baseball (MLB) professional pitcher.
* Jennifer Sherrill (2002)—Miss Arkansas USA 2004.
* 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
* Steven McRoberts (1988)—Missouri State Volleyball Coach
* Rob Pickens (2014) —Wigmaster