Elmira Free Academy
Address
933 Hoffman St. Elmira, New York 14905
Coordinates	42°05′46″N 76°49′50″W / 42.0962°N 76.8305°W / 42.0962; -76.8305Coordinates: 42°05′46″N 76°49′50″W / 42.0962°N 76.8305°W / 42.0962; -76.8305
Information
School type	Public, high school
School district	Elmira City School District
Principal	John Wood
Grades	9–12
Enrollment	1,047 (2007)
Color(s)	Blue and white
Mascot	Blue Devil
Athletic conferences	Southern Tier Athletic Conference; Section IV NYSPHSAA
Website	http://www.elmiracityschools.com/EFA.cfm

Elmira Free Academy, or EFA, is a high school in Elmira, New York, USA. It is one of seven public high schools serving Chemung county. (Waverly, Spencer-Van Etten and Odessa-Montour are outside Chemung County, but serve students from Chemung County). As of 2007, EFA has an enrollment of 1,047 students, with a faculty that includes 67 full-time teachers and many other instructors, administrators, and support staff ^[1].

The metro-area surrounding EFA is both economically and racially diverse, traits reflected in the student body. 77% of the student body is White, 20% is Black, 2% Hispanic, less than 1% Asian or Pacific Islander, and less than 1% Native American. Also, 38% of the student body qualifies for free or reduced lunches, a percentage significantly higher than the state average of 17%^[2].

The school also boasts many honors courses, taught to the standards of both AP and ACE (a program that offers direct college credits at many schools). Elmira Free Academy is also a strong statewide contender in many sports, despite smaller a student enrollment and budget than many competing schools. The school is classified as class A in Section IV of the NYSPHSAA ^[3].

Each year EFA plays Southside High School in football for the Erie Bell.

The school is operated by the Elmira City School District.

[edit] Notable alumni

• Hal Roach (1908) - Film and TV producer with a career spanning much of the 20th century. In 1984, he won the honorary Academy Honorary Award for Lifetime Achievement.
• Ernie Davis (1958) - First Black American to win the Heisman Trophy, and two time All-American. Drafted by Washington Redskins and traded to Cleveland Browns before he died from leukemia in 1963.
• Tommy Hilfiger (1970) - Fashion designer and creator of the eponymous "Tommy Hilfiger" and "Tommy" brands.
• Eileen Collins (1974) - Retired Astronaut, first female pilot, commander of the Space Shuttle.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Elmira Free Academy Official site.
• EFA Boys Soccer