Harding Academy (Memphis, Tennessee)

Harding Academy of Memphis CHRIST-CENTERED
File:HardingAcademyMemphislogo.jpg
Address
1100 Cherry Road Memphis , Tennessee USA
Information
Type	Private, co-educational, Christian school
Motto	They shall all be taught of God. John 6:45
Established	1952
President	Mrs. Pamela Womack
Enrollment	approximately 1,600 age 2 - 12th grade
Campus	Suburban
Color(s)	Blue, White, Red
Athletics conference	TSSAA
Mascot	Prowler
Nickname	Lions
Newspaper	The Lion
Yearbook	The Shield
Affiliation	Church of Christ
Website	HardingLions.org

Harding Academy is a Christian, college preparatory, liberal arts, co-educational school committed to guiding each student to his highest potential and to helping every student search for answers leading to independence and confidence. The school's primary objective is to provide a quality education in a Christ-centered environment. Emphasis is given to teaching the Bible as God’s inspired word and to encouraging the spiritual development of Harding’s students.

History

The Early Days—Memphis Christian School

In December of 1949, a group of men met to discuss starting a Christian school where the Bible could be studied daily. This dream became reality in the fall of 1952 when Memphis Christian School opened in the education building of the Normal Church of Christ, now the former home of Highland Street Church of Christ. Mary Nell Hardeman Powers served as the first principal, and 192 students enrolled that year in the kindergarten through the sixth grade school. During that year the school acquired the King Mansion (now home to the Harding University Graduate School of Religion) located on Cherry Road at Park Avenue. The 1953-54 school year opened at the new 57 acre site, and grades seven and eight were offered for the first time. Mrs. Powers penned the school alma mater that year.

For the 1955-56 school year, the ninth grade was added. Mr. Marion Hickingbottom became the new principal. The following year the school received approval for the first time from the Tennessee State Board of Education. During the spring of 1957, Harding College in Searcy, Arkansas was asked to take over the school. Harding’s Board of Directors voted unanimously to assume the oversight of the school. That decision included moving the Harding University Graduate School of Religion to Memphis] where it would reside in the King Mansion and the construction of a new building south of the mansion to house the newly re-named Christian school as Harding Academy of Memphis.

The Years of Rapid Growth

In 1957-58, the construction on the new building began and the tenth grade was added. Harding Academy opened the 1958-59 year in the new building. It included a classroom wing, a gymnasium, and a cafeteria. Mr. A.M. Anderson became principal. Grades eleven and twelve were added, and the first graduating class, comprised of fifteen students, received diplomas. An elementary building was also under construction and completed in March of 1960.

Mr. J.E. Summitt served as superintendent for the 1960-61 year. Mr. Harold Bowie arrived the following year and became superintendent.

Over the next decade, the Cherry Road campus continued to be expanded.

• O.O. Emmons Auditorium was built in 1967.
• Ellers Gymnasium, a new library, a cafeteria, and a junior high wing were completed in 1973.
• A new high school building was added in 1974.
• A third gymnasium (now the Sisson Gymnasium) with women’s locker room facilities, a choral room, and additional classrooms opened in 1978.

Enrollment increased dramatically during the 1970’s and peaked at 2,879 students in 1976. At that point the Academy was the largest private school in the United States. This growth was possible because of the willingness of the local Churches of Christ to allow the school to use their educational facilities in order to expand. By 1970-71 all elementary enrollment had moved from the Cherry Road campus into local church buildings. In 1978, the Academy separated from Harding College becoming an independent school under the direction of its own board of directors.

The Past Decade

Harding’s recent past includes two firsts, the opening of Early Childhood, a program for 2’s and 3’s, and the construction of Harding’s first site not to be on the Cherry Road campus. Harding opened a new Cordova campus on Macon Road in November 1997. Early Childhood occupied one wing, and grades 1-6 were housed in the other. A second building opened at that location in the fall of 2001. The kindergarten classes joined Early Childhood in the first building constructed, and grades 1-6 occupied the newer building.

A change in leadership occurred in June of 1998 when Dr. Harold Bowie retired after 37 years with the school and Mr. Tom Dickson came on board. Mr. Dickson was a planner and a visionary. His background was with the United States Air Force. He had helped restructure the military during his service. Harding Academy entered the 21st century under his leadership, and Mr. Dickson was pivotal in the decision to acquire property and make plans for a new campus in Lakeland, Tennessee.

The baton was passed again in the summer of 2006 when Mrs. Pamela Womack accepted the position of President of Harding Academy of Memphis. She came to the Academy from the McCurdy School in Española, New Mexico where she served as the school’s superintendent. Mrs. Womack’s experience spans all ages and many areas of expertise. One of Mrs. Womack’s primary projects is the moving of the upper school campus to Lakeland (Copeland, 1999).

Mission

Harding Academy is dedicated to fostering each student’s academic excellence and faith in God through a Christ-centered education, which emphasizes intellectual, spiritual, social, and physical development.
Goals

• Foster each student’s faith in God shaped by knowledge of the Bible
• Promote each student’s academic excellence
• Nurture each student’s social and physical development
• Provide a premier education with high-quality facilities, resources, and technology
• Recruit, develop, place, and retain high-quality teachers and staff

Worldview

"We believe that God is the omnipotent, unchanging Creator, Sustainer, and Lawgiver. We believe the Bible is God’s Word and that it is inspired, authentic, and authoritative. We believe that God created man in His own image and that God desires a relationship with man. We believe that all have sinned against the Creator and that He has provided redemption and restoration through his son Jesus whom we affirm as Lord and through whose Spirit we are empowered for holy living."

School Character

Accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), the Tennessee Department of Education, and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS, since 1960), Harding offers a traditional liberal arts approach for the college-bound student. The diversity of course offerings and the graduation requirements guarantee that graduates receive significant exposure in all major academic areas.

Academics

As a Christian school, Harding operates from the philosophy that all truth is of God and that truth is absolute. Therefore, the Bible possesses a privileged status at the center of the curriculum. Students not only attend a Bible class every day but also study the humanities, sciences, and mathematics in light of God’s nature and work in this world. The Academy provides a traditional, liberal arts education with a focus on equipping students to be creative and analytical thinkers and effective communicators. All students abide by an honor code and have a responsibility to be honest.

Extracurricular Activities

Athletics

The athletic program offers students the opportunity to learn sportsmanship, teamwork, respect for others, and sacrifice for the good of the team. Harding’s Cub Sports Program is an intramural athletic program for elementary students designed to stress sportsmanship and participation while promoting the physical, social, mental, and emotional growth of the students. Elementary students can participate in basketball, baseball, cheerleading, football, soccer, and volleyball through the Cub Sports program. The secondary school's athletic teams compete in the TSSAA Division II-Small conference. Sports offered include basketball, baseball, bowling, cheerleading, cross country, football, golf, pom, soccer, softball, tennis, track, volleyball, and wrestling.

Fine Arts/Journalism

The fine arts program consists of the visual arts, instrumental music, vocal music, and drama programs. Students at every level are encouraged to participate in fine arts. Elementary and Early Childhood students receive weekly instruction in music and visual arts from a specialized teacher. Exploratory, beginner, and advanced visual art classes are offered to secondary students. Students in grades 7-12 can participate in band and chorus, and drama productions, including a yearly musical, are produced two or three times a year. Journalism classes are offered at the high school level, and students are admitted to these classes by applying and being accepted to the journalism staff. Journalism students publish The Lion, the school’s monthly newspaper, and the Shield yearbook. An additional publication, FOCUS magazine, is published by the Advancement Office twice a year.

Organizations

Student organizations include the Student Government Association, class officers, and class leaders. Academic, honor, and service clubs as well as special interest groups such as Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Leadership for the Lord, and Model UN are also available.

LEAP

The Learning Enrichment Advantage Program is a fee based after-school and summer enrichment program taught by a variety of Harding teachers and parents as well as outside vendors. The goal of the LEAP program is to offer experiences for all the elementary students beyond the daily classroom environment. These short-term sessions address a variety of students’ interests, needs, abilities, and learning preferences.

Tuition

Tuition is based upon the grade level of the student enrolled and more information is available on the school website. Financial aid is also available to applicants in grades one through twelve who meet the need-based eligibility requirements. All families who indicate their desire for financial aid will be given the appropriate forms.

Notable Alumni

• Keith Bland (’77), visual artist (oil paintings)
• Ken May (’78), former CEO of FedEx Kinko's
• Paul Shanklin ('81), American conservative political satirist, impressionist, and comedian
• Stephony Smith ('77), songwriter
• Garrett Wang (’85), actor

External links

• School web site
• TSSAA web site

References

• [1] Harding Academy '07-08 Handbook for Parents and Students
• E. Copeland, notes from in-service presentation, December 2, 1999.
• [2] Harding Academy '07-08 Handbook for Parents and Students
• [3]
• [4] Harding Academy School Profile
• [5] Harding Academy '07-08 Handbook for Parents and Students
• [6] Cub Sports Homepage
• [7] TSSAA Member Listing
• [8] Harding Academy of Memphis web site
• [9] Harding Academy '07-08 Handbook for Parents and Students
• [10] LEAP web site
• [11] Harding Academy '08-09 Tuition and Fees Information