Montverde Academy is a private PK–12 school in Montverde, Florida, United States. History The school was founded in 1912 as Montgomery Industrial School. The school president was Henry P. Carpenter. It underwent a major expansion in 1921, when two new buildings were built for a cost of almost $40,000, including a concrete block dormitory for 200 boys and a new dining hall. The expansion was funded by donations, including $11,000 from R. Jay Arnold of Groveland, Florida. This expansion brought the organization to a total of eight buildings on 200 acres and $150,000 worth of equipment. An observation tower above the new dormitory provided a view of Lake Apopka, Winter Garden, and Groveland. The dining facilities served 400 children. In the 1920s, sports teams were established. The teams were nicknamed The Crackers. In 1930, a girls' dormitory was constructed with funds raised by the D.A.R. Demographics There were 1,188 K-12 students enrolled in 2015–2016 as the information is not compiled for Pre-K students. The breakdown was: Native American/Alaskan – 1.4% Asian/Pacific islanders – 4.0% Black – 7.7% Hispanic – 9.3% White – 44.8% Multiracial – 32.8% Athletic programs Montverde's athletic programs compete on a national level, rather than as a member of the Florida State High School Athletic Association. Sports offered include baseball, basketball, cross country, equestrian, golf, lacrosse, powerlifting, soccer, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. In 2017 USA Today named Montverde Academy the best basketball program of the decade. Controversy In May 2017, Essence and Fox 35 Orlando published a story about Montverde Academy harassing a 16-year-old African-American student who was told that her natural hair was against dress code policy. The school's headmaster, Kasey Kesselring, promised that the "dread lock" line would be removed from the hair policy in the student handbook. In May 2019, clickorlando.com and Horowitz Law published a story accusing Montverde Academy Dean of Students, Jerry Matos, of having an inappropriate sexual relationship with a female student. According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Headmaster Kasey Kesselring violated the Horse Protection Act, which resulted in a temporary disqualification from participating in equine events and a fine of $2,500. Notable alumni Precious Achiuwa (born 1999), Nigerian professional basketball player Solomon Alabi (born 1988), Nigerian professional basketball player Scottie Barnes (born 2001), American professional basketball player RJ Barrett (born 2000), Canadian professional basketball player James Bell (born 1992), American basketball player Jordan Caroline