Historic Hopper Academy

Welcome Art for Kids
and Seminole Count Printmakers

Two arts organizations have found a home at Hopper Academy.
Art for Kids is sponsored by the St. Johns River Festival of the Arts and provides classes for elementary through high school. Scholarships are available.
Seminole County Printmakers is a group of professional and lay artists who will offer workshops on fine art printmaking.

Funded in part by a State of Florida Historic Preservation Grant, the City of Sanford, and generous private donors, a complete restoration is nearly complete. Help us open the entire building by donating today. Donations may be mailed 1101 Pine Av, Sanford, FL 32771 or you can donate online by clicking the link.

Donate Now

About Hopper Academy

Hopper Academy was built in 1910 as one of the few schools in Florida for African-American students. Originally serving students through the 10th grade, after construction of Crooms Academy in 1926, Hopper Academy became a grammar school.

Hopper closed its doors in 1962 when Goldsboro and the new Hopper elementary schools opened. In 1989, after years of neglect, community members began efforts to save Hopper.

The City of Sanford designated Hopper Academy as a local historic landmark in 1991. In 1993, the Community Improvement Association acquired the property and in 1994 the school was placed on the Florida Black Heritage Trail.

Initial restoration of the building was substantially completed by 1999 and the building was used as a community and cultural center. In 2008 a fire sprinkler system was installed and in 2010 a new roof was installed.

In 2015 Hopper academy was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

About the CIASC

The Community Improvement Association of Seminole County, Inc. is a non-profit organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. The purpose of the organization is the restoration, preservation, and operation of Historic Hopper Academy for the benefit of the community.

Board of Directors
Chris Butler—President
Betty Robinson—Treasurer
Pastor Paul Hoyer—Proj. Mngr.
Gretchen Perry—Secretary
Olatunji Oyewale
Pastor Cathy Ramassar
Pastor Jim Timmons
Pastor Matt Wallis
Pastor Bruce Washington
Commissioner Art Woodruff

The Community Improvement Association of Seminole County, Inc., a 501-(c)3 nonprofit corporation.
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Registration number DTN2703857. A copy of the official registration and financial information may be obtained from the division of consumer services by calling toll-free (800-435-7352) within the state. Registration does not imply endorsement, approval, or recommendation by the State.

What’s Left to Do

Downstairs, only one room is unfinished and still needs flooring repairs and refinishing. That room will become the library and museum.

Upstairs the auditorium is complete. We are finishing up painting the stair wells and need air conditioning repair. Once that is done, we will need a chairlift installed to make upstairs accessible.

We also have an ongoing need for help maintaining the lawn.