Lyman Ward Military Academy

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Lyman Ward Military Academy
Location
174 Ward Circle
Camp Hill, Alabama
USA
Information
Affiliation(s) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
President COL Bill Jenrette
U.S. Army (Ret.)
Head of school Major (United States) MAJ Grady Pat Kelly

United States Army U.S. Army (Ret.)
Dean Jeff Damron
Staff 11
Students 50
Faculty 13
Type Military
Grades 6-12
Athletics Football, Basketball, Soccer
Athletics conference Alabama High School Athletic Association (Division 1-A)
Mascot Rangers
Color(s) Blue and Gold
Established 1898
Homepage Link

Lyman Ward Military Academy (LWMA) is a private military school located in Camp Hill, Alabama.

Contents

[edit] History

The Academy was founded by Dr. Lyman Ward in 1898 as a non-profit, non-denominational, co-educational institution for the rural youth of Alabama. The original purpose was to provide a secondary education for those with the ability to learn and the willingness to work.

In 1901, the State of Alabama granted Dr. Ward a charter incorporating the school with the name; The Southern Industrial Institute, Inc.

In 1948, Dr. Ward's passing led to the establishment of a military depart. The school then changed its name to Lyman Ward Military Academy in honor of its founder. At this time, the school also ended its elementary and co-ed programs.

In 1966, the school became a member of the ROTC program, and is currently assigned two active duty personnel by the Department of Army.

In 1972, the school received its first accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools

In recent years, the academy has been the target of various lawsuits and investigations surrounding drug abuse, hazing, sexual assault and mismanagement. As a result of such bad press, Lyman Ward Military Academy is struggling financially and has appealed to its alumni for financial contributions to keep the school in operation.

Cadet enrollment appears to be on an up tick, however: http://www.oanow.com/oan/news/local/article/lyman_ward_enrollment_up/13992/

[edit] Campus

LWMA is located on 300+ acres and boasts two athletic fields, a parade field, two five-acre lakes, double tennis courts, three dormitories, a dining hall, indoor swimming pool, gymnasium, indoor and outdoor rifle ranges, supply building, JROTC building, infirmary, administration building, and canteen. The historic Tallapoosa Hall serves as the academic building. In addition, there is a library with a technology center and a large auditorium.

In August of 2006, lightning struck and destroyed the Dixon All-Faith Chapel.

[edit] Admissions

The Academy selects its new cadets on the basis of background, character, and the promise of academic success. Applications for admissions are accepted year round. New cadets are admitted in August and January of each year at the beginning of each academic semester. Late admissions are accepted and considered.

[edit] Tuition

The expenses for the year are $16,995. This covers Room, Board, Tuition, Lab Fee, Haircuts, Laundry and Dry Cleaning, Student Health Plan and Library Fee. This does not cover the cost of Uniforms or personal spending money. The uniforms cost is for first year cadets and is $1900.00 plus sales tax. This is due and payable upon notification of acceptance. For former students who have uniforms, the charge is $16,995. The $100 application fee is used for registration and is non-refundable.

[edit] Academics

LWMA uses the Semester System (Block Schedule) with the normal student load for grades 9-12 consists of seven courses per year. Class periods are 50 minutes long which allows for more discussion, review, and class work. This also gives the teacher the opportunity to work with each student individually as needed.

In keeping with the requirements of the State of Alabama, students are required to have four years of English, Math, History and Science. Other courses are offered as electives. It is possible for a student to earn 6 to 8 credits per year. A student needs 24 credits to graduate.

Junior High School (grades 6-8) is also on the Semester System. Courses are taken for the full school year and are split into 50 minute classes. The usual class load is seven classes.

[edit] Cadet Life

[edit] Band

The Lyman Ward Band program is one of the academy's most involved and successful with participants performing at a wide variety of functions during the school year. The Marching Rangers perform for sporting events, parades, ceremonies, and civic events each year. These events include performing a broad repertoire of music ranging from marches to rhythm and blues. Past performances by the Lyman Ward Band include invitations to the Talladega 500, Mardis Gras, the National Veterans Day Parade in Birmingham, Alabama the Peanut Festival in Dothan, Alabama as well as several command performances for the Governor of Alabama. The Band also performs annually at Christmas parades in Opelika and Alexander City. Our Band and its members are an integral part of campus life because of their support for athletics and the cadet battalion. Members also participate in leadership roles as well as other activities.

Each year band members have the opportunity to participate in off-campus festivals and compete for individual awards. One such event would be the Alabama Bandmasters Solo and Ensemble contest in April. Several Lyman Ward band members have also been selected to the prestigious Auburn University Honor Band that performs in February each year.

Students who have no instrumental experience may choose to enroll in the Beginning Band class. This class is mainly composed of 6th and 7th grade students who are trained in the basics of band instrument performance. These students also learn to read music and instrument care as they progress toward performing in the marching band. The Lyman Ward Band program is directed by Joe Watson, a graduate of Auburn University and a 23 year member of the Lyman Ward faculty.

[edit] Drill Team

The Drill Team is open to all cadets from 9-12th grade who love a challenge and like to compete against other schools in Drill and Ceremonies. Currently the Drill Team competes in the Regulation Drill Category, with Arms and without Arms, competing each year in different competitions around the state. Our Drill Team drills with the Springfield M1903 rifle. This year the team competed at the Veteran's Day Drill Competition in Birmingham and came in 3rd place in the Regulation Drill with Arms category. The Drill Team is currently practicing for the upcoming yearly event at Auburn University called the War Eagle Invitational where schools from all over come and compete in the Drill competition.

The Drill team marches each year in some of the areas off-campus parades. This year the Drill Team marched in the Birmingham Veteran's Day Parade, Opelika Christmas Parade, and the Camp Hill Christmas Parade. Our Drill Team wears red berets and look very sharp in their uniforms. We encourage young people to be a part of the proud tradition here at Lyman Ward and represent our school with pride on the Drill Team.

[edit] Homecoming

Each year, Homecoming activities are held throughout the designated weekend. Special activities include a Homecoming Court with the crowning of the Homecoming Queen at the Friday night Football game. On Saturday, there is a parade to honor returning alumni and friends, as well as a banquet and the Homecoming dance.

[edit] Intramurals

Intramural softball season is held every year during the spring. Teams are led by the faculty and military staff and competition is open to all cadets.

A very competitive atmosphere surrounds the fun that naturally occurs when faculty, staff and cadets compete together. Each team takes great pride in its effort to acquire the title of "Spring Softball Champions".

[edit] Rifle Team

The Rifle Team is open to all cadets 9-12th grade who have a strong desire to compete on a high school level with air rifles. Currently our Rifle Team shoots in the sportier division and competes with Daisy 853 air rifles. The rifle team competes in the Alabama Northeast Area JROTC Rifle League. The league is recognized and uses the National Rifle Association rules for air rifles. The teams compete in a 3-position league which consists of the prone, kneeling, and standing positions from 33 feet (10 m). We had a successful 2003 fall season with the A Team finishing runner-up and the B team finishing 5th in a 14 team League. The team competes every year in the Auburn University War Eagle Invitational where schools from Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia and Florida compete for two days in the air rifle competitions.

Currently, there are two rifle teams, Team A & Team B, consisting of five shooters per team. The teams practice after school on Tuesday and Wednesday

[edit] Athletics

[edit] Football

Football has long been considered the favorite sport at LWMA. The Rangers compete as an associate member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA) in the 1A classification. LWMA fields both Varsity and Jr. High Teams. The Rangers compete against public and private schools around the state. Occasionally the Rangers play against out of state teams as well.

[edit] Basketball

Basketball has been a vital part of the LWMA athletic program for decades. Interscholastic games were played in the Tallapoosa Hall gymnasium from 1930 until 1973, when a new gymnasium was constructed on the north end of campus. The Tallapoosa Hall venue is used today for junior school practice.

Presently, the Academy fields two teams - at the varsity (Senior School) level and one at the Junior Varsity (Junior School)level. The varsity teams are composed of student athletes in grades 9-12; the Junior Varsity program is designed for student athletes in grades 6-8. All teams play a full interscholastic schedule.

The varsity teams play a competitive 18-20 game schedule, with games beginning in mid-November and ending in early February. The Rangers compete against both private and public schools as a Class 1A member of the Alabama High School Athletic Association (AHSAA). The Junior Varsity team plays a 10-12 game schedule.

Basketball practice begins in mid to late October and is open to all interested students. Typically, 40 young men participate in one of the Academy's three teams as players, managers, and scorekeepers. The basketball program affords a great opportunity for participation at each athlete's level of playing ability. In the last five years, LWMA basketball players have received scholarship offers from such institutions as Atlanta Christian College and Montreat College in North Carolina.

A two-week spring practice is conducted each year in May by the varsity coaching staff. Many LWMA players participate in summer individual basketball camps. In recent years, players have attended camps at Auburn University and Lipscomb University in Nashville, TN. Some players play on summer AAU teams in their home towns.

[edit] External links