Southland Academy
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Southland Academy is a private, independent college preparatory school in Americus, Georgia with over 800 students [1] in 4-year kindergarten through 12th grade.
Established in 1966, the school is accredited by Southern Association of Colleges and Schools [2] and the Georgia Accrediting Association [3], and is a member of the Georgia Independent Schools Association (GISA) [4].
Headmaster: Adam W. "Wilkie" Smith III
Assistant Headmaster/Upper School Principal: William E. Stubbs
Upper School Counselor: Mary Lynn Shealy
The campus is located on 55 acres. There are nine buildings in the education complex: two buildings for 4-year and 5-year kindergarten, an elementary school building, a junior high building (adjacent to the cafeteria known as "Raider Kitchen," or just "The Lunchroom"), a high school building, the Charles F. Crisp Media and Technology Center (which houses the library, a nearly sound-proof conference room, and a computer lab), a music room known as "The Band Room," and two gymasiums/auditoriums. The "Old Gym" has recently gone under major rennovation. It has a performance stage with a curtain and is used for the annual school play along with other numerous student presentations.
Student racial demographics are remarkably non-reflective of the ethnic makeup of the town of Americus. While Americus is nearly 60% African American and 40% White [5] according to the 2000 Census, Southland Academy has a mere 1% African American student population. Asians are represented slightly higher at 2%, while Whites are the overwhelming majority. [6]
When the public schools were desegregated in Americus, Georgia in the 1960s, white families built this private school where many now send their children, recreating the de facto segregation that was a legacy of the '50s and '60s.
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[edit] Admissions
Admission to Southland Academy is by application only.
Each applicant in grades 5K-12 must take an entrance examination and submit a transcript and discipline record from the school(s) previously attended. Examination results and transcript information are evaluated by the School Counselor(s) and the Headmaster who determine final admission and placement. Additionally, admission shall be based on a personal interview with the parents and the student. Acceptance is also subject to vacancies in a particular grade. Registration fees must be paid prior to scheduling or receiving a test date.
Non-Discrimination Policy:
Southland Academy admits students of any race, color, nationality, sex, religion, or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. Southland Academy does discriminate on the basis of race, color, nationality, sex, religion, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic programs, or any other program or policy. However, there are different rules about how you are allowed to behave depending on your gender.
However, the school will not admit previously or presently pregnant or married students, nor students over 20 years of age.
Annual tuition rates range from $3,204 for 4K to $4,536 for grades 6-12. Tuition includes instruction, textbooks (to be returned at the end of each course), school pictures, admission to regular season sports events, a drug testing fee, and an annual membership fee.
[edit] Athletics
Southland Academy has an active athletic program in the GISA in the AAA region. Sports include football, baseball, softball, basketball, wrestling, cross country running, track and field, golf, swimming, tennis, girls' soccer, Raiderettes (the dance team), and cheerleading. Male teams are called the Raiders; female teams are the Lady Raiders.
Class AAA State Championships: [7]
Football: 1986-1987, 1991-1993
Baseball: 1982-1983, 1989-1991, 1994-1995, 2003-2004
Golf: 1980-1988, 1991-1992, 1993-1995, 1997-1998
Boys' Basketball: 1973-1974, 1975-1977, 1982-1983
Boys' Tennis: 1980-1982, 1982-1984
Boys' Track and Field: 1975-1977, 1980-1984, 1991-1992
Softball: 1976-1977, 1999-2000, 2006-2007
Girls' Basketball: 1979-1980, 1985-1986
Girls' Swimming: 1998-1999
Girls' Track: 1971-1972, 1975-1980, 1989-1990
Wrestling: 2001-2002
[edit] Activities
Southland Academy also has various clubs and organizations available for high school students to join or try out for. Some clubs have a smaller junior high version. Most clubs have leadership positions for a President, Vice President, Treasurer, or Secretary, and each club is sponsored by a teacher or staff member.
Academic groups: National Beta Club, Math Team, Literary Team, One-Act Play, Student Government, and Debate Team.
Music groups: Marching Band and One Voice (choir).
Religious clubs: Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Young People's Christian Organization.
Community Service clubs: Students Against Destructive Decisions, Garden Club, Student Government, Key Club, Civinettes
Subject Area clubs: Art Club, Science Club, Foreign Language Club
