Benton Academy
Benton Academy is an independent, co-educational college preparatory school in Benton, Mississippi (United States). It is a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. It was founded as a segregation academy in 1969,[2] and still did not enroll a single black student as of 2010.[3] The school is located in Yazoo County, Mississippi.
Benton Academy | |
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Address | |
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216 Academy Drive, P.O. Drawer 308 , 39039 | |
Coordinates | 32°49′10″N 90°15′24″W |
Information | |
Established | 1969 |
NCES School ID | 00736017[1] |
Headmaster | Steve Flemming |
Teaching staff | 19.1 (FTE) |
Grades | PK-12 |
Enrollment | 216 (2019–2020) |
Student to teacher ratio | 11.3 |
Nickname | Raiders |
Accreditation | Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools |
Website | school website |
History
Benton Academy was founded in 1969 as a segregation academy in response to the court ordered racial desegregation of public schools. [3] The school opened in January 1970 in the middle of the school year.[4]
In 1977, the NAACP called for the principal of Benton High School to resign since he was perceived to condone segregation by sending his children to Benton Academy.[5]
Demographics
For the 2019–2020 school year, the school enrolled 216 students in grades PK-12, all of whom were white.[6]
Athletics
Benton Academy athletic teams compete in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools league.[7]
Notable alumni
- Ben Beckwith, football player[8]
- Wes Shivers, Class of 1995 – Former NFL offensive lineman and MMA fighter.[9]
References
- "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for Benton Academy". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- McGee, Meredith (March 21, 2013). James Meredith : warrior and the America that created him. Santa Barbara, California. p. 40. ISBN 9780313397400. OCLC 768800260.
- "Private academies keep students separate and unequal 40 years later – The Hechinger Report". The Hechinger Report. December 13, 2012. Archived from the original on January 25, 2019. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
not a single black student attended in 2010
- "Private school in Yazoo county reveal schedules". Jackson Clarion-Ledger. January 5, 1970. p. 14.
- Flynn, Pat (September 9, 1977). "Boycotters present grievances". Yazoo City Herald. p. 1.
- "Private school universe survey". Archived from the original on March 14, 2022. Retrieved March 14, 2022.
- "Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Home Page". msais.org. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
- "MSU trio wins SEC, national awards".
- Jacome, Michael (October 28, 2009). "Saved By Grace". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved January 24, 2019.