Franklin Pierce Educational Foundation

The Franklin Pierce Educational Foundation is a non-profit corporation established in cooperation with Wake Christian Academy. Our mission is:

Promote and fully fund the annual need-based financial aid given by WCA to eligible students.
Continue to grow the financial-aid endowment for the long-term support of WCA’s financial-aid program.

Franklin Coolidge Pierce was born August 31, 1927, in Wake County. One of five children born to Reginald (Reggie) and Annie May Smith Pierce, Franklin was reared on tobacco farms. Although his family moved often, the Pierce family faithfully attended Catawba Springs Christian Church.

Franklin, along with his sister, Nina, and brother, Hardy, attended Bob Jones University, where he majored in Bible Studies. It was there he met Evelyn Kamis, whom he later married. In 1949, Franklin began his work as pastor at Pleasant Union Christian Church in Lillington, NC.

While Franklin worked part-time at Pleasant Union, he traveled to other small country churches to preach. By age 35, Franklin agreed to become the pastor of Catawba Springs Christian Church and would later add a third church—Christian Light Christian Church—to his regular rounds. The atmosphere at Wake Christian Academy is one of
family. Our children are taught morals and values in a
warm and loving environment. All three of our children
love school and love going to school.
--Sheryl and Todd Woodard

The atmosphere at Wake Christian Academy is one of
family. Our children are taught morals and values in a
warm and loving environment. All three of our children
love school and love going to school.
--Sheryl and Todd Woodard

Franklin and Evelyn had four children, and the family traveled together as he went to all three of his churches. In 1967, Evelyn began teaching at Wake Academy, a small private school. When it became evident that the school was not financially secure, several men from Catawba Springs Christian Church approached Franklin to seek his help in reorganizing the school into a private Christian school. He took this responsibility and led the men involved as God directed. He called the school Wake Christian Academy.

Once the school was established, Franklin continued to be involved in a number of ways. His job as administrator enabled him to keep the finances in order, but he never limited himself just to working in the administrator’s office. He was often found cutting grass, mopping/waxing floors, picking up trash, and even cleaning the restrooms.

Starting with a vision by a group of Christian parents nearly four decades ago, Wake Christian Academy has grown into a thriving reality. The academy consists of kindergarten, elementary, middle school, and senior high school levels and has produced over 1300 graduates in a variety of professional fields including medicine, law, business, law enforcement, education, engineering, and ministry.

Since 1966, Wake Christian Academy has sought to provide a quality, Christ-centered education and to prepare our students to accomplish the purpose and plan God has for them. During the years of our ministry, there have been many changes, but our goal remains the same.

Wake Christian Academy is indebted to our Lord Jesus Christ and to our founders for their vision and sacrifice, encouraged by the successes and victories of the present, and committed to prepare for a greater future.

Wake Christian Academy is a member of the North Carolina Christian School Association, which serves as the state branch of the American Association of Christian Schools. Wake Christian Academy strives to maintain a high standard of excellence as set forth by the NCCSA and AACS. The academy is accredited by both organizations, and their teachers are certified by the NCCSA.