There are many factors of Academy that make the school unique, including being an all-girls school, having the best real estate spot in South Tampa, and most importantly, its age. For over 100 years, Academy has served as not only a school, but at one time boarding home to thousands of young women. As a school of this age, Academy is bound to hold old, interesting, and occasionally scary spots most students have no idea exist.

The Basement: Though this spot may not necessarily be secret, few actually know what is really down in the there. Besides Student Council’s annual use of it for Trunk or Treats Haunted Basement, the basement serves the purpose of storage and offices for the maintenance crew.

The maintenance crew, however, cannot take full credit for the upkeep of the basement. Three cats, Timmy, Marie Rose, and Iris gladly take on the important role of controlling the rat population.

Mini Elevators: Located on the fourth, third, and second floors, mini elevators were once used by Academy porters to transport items such as food or laundry from floor to floor.

Secret Staircases: Though it is in no way a secret to Academy girls that there are many staircases in the school, two in particular remain unknown to students.

In campus ministry, look up, and you will find a door-length opening. Hidden inside is a staircase in which leads to the roof.

In the basement, a set of steps leads back to the first floor (and out of the scariness of the basement)!

The second floor south-side balcony: Overlooking the four-square court,  is an old, not-in-use balcony.

According to Kat Kelly, “The balcony was built after a sister had the idea that building another balcony would encourage the mingling of students and provide a place to eat lunch,” making it rather unfortunate that it is not in use today.