Wilcox Academy

Wilcox Academy is an independent school in Camden, Alabama. It is accredited by the Alabama Independent School Association and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.[4] The school has been described as a segregation academy.[5]

Wilcox Academy
Wilcox Academy captured in the setting sun
Address
340 Ashley Street

Camden
,
Alabama
36726

United States
Coordinates32.003327°N 87.305991°W / 32.003327; -87.305991
Information
School typePublic
Established1970
School districtWilcox County
PrincipalChris Burford
Faculty30[1]
GradesK - 12
Enrollment250[2]
Student to teacher ratio12:1 (2011-12)[3]
Campus typeRemote rural
Color(s)Blue and White    
MascotWildcats
WebsiteAcademy homepage

History

Wilcox Academy was founded in 1970 as a segregation academy.[6] The school's enrollment boomed in the 1970s as white parents withdrew their children from public schools.[7] As of the early 2000s, some white parents were beginning to send their children to public schools because they were dissatisfied with Wilcox Academy's ability to provide quality academic programs with shrinking enrollment.[6] The Wilcox Academy chairman declined comment on academic performance comparisons with public schools, stating that he "see[s] no advantage for us revealing any information for public consumption."[6]

Demographics

As of 1990, no black students had ever attended the school.[8] In 2015-16, no black students attend.[2]

Of 278 non-prekindergarten students enrolled in the 2011-2012 school year, 276 were white.[3] The 2012 demographic profile of Wilcox County, showed the population as 27.4% white and 71.8% black.[9]

Extracurricular

The Junior Beta Club consists of students in grades 6 through 8, while the Senior Beta Club is made up of students from grades 9 through 12. An annual induction ceremony is held during fall semester. Eligibility for membership depends on a student having maintained a B semester average in all courses for two consecutive semesters and approval from 2 of 3 of their teachers. All Senior Beta Club members must be enrolled in advanced classes. The Junior Beta Sponsor is Mrs. Fran McGraw and the Senior Beta Sponsor is Ms. Rebecca Malone.[10]

During March the academy hosts its own Art Show awarding prizes for students' arts and craft.[11] The academy has both a Junior and a Senior High Scholars Bowl Team.

Nine Wilcox Academy students were selected to serve as Ambassadors for the 2012-2013 Page Program, assisting the Chamber of Commerce in local events and helping promote Wilcox County throughout the year.[12]

Deer and Turkey Hunts

Wilcox Academy has a six hundred plus member organization which holds two benefit hunts each year. The Turkey Hunt, normally held the end of March or early April, began in 1971 and was followed by the Gun Deer Hunt in 1985, which is held in early January.[13]

Notable alumni

References
  1. "Staff". School website.
  2. "Private School Universe Survey". Retrieved 18 November 2017.
  3. "Wilcox Academy". Private School Universe Survey. National Center for Education Statistics.
  4. "About the school". School website.
  5. Bagley, Joseph (15 December 2018). The politics of white rights: race, justice, and integrating Alabama's schools. Athens: University of Georgia Press. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-8203-5418-7. OCLC 1065537539.
  6. Carla Crowder (27 October 2002). "Private white academies struggle in changing world". The Birmingham News. Archived from the original on 2012-11-15.
  7. Bean, Alvin (June 16, 1991). "Wilcox county SAT scores at bottom of heap". Montgomery Advertiser. p. 1.
  8. Benn, Alvin (9 September 1990). "Funeral Home Awards 3 Scholarships". The Montgomery Advertiser. p. 15.
  9. "Wilcox County, Alabama". People QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau.
  10. "Beta Club". School website.
  11. "WA Art Show". School website.
  12. "WA Students Selected as Chamber Ambassadors". School website.
  13. "Deer and Turkey Hunts".
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