Webb School (Bell Buckle, Tennessee)

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The Webb School
Location
Bell Buckle, Tennessee
Information
Principal Headmaster Albert Cauz
Students about 300
Type Private, College Preparatory
Grades 6-12
Motto Noli Res Subdole Facere ("Do nothing on the sly.")
Mascot The Webb Feet (Formerly, "The Webb Scholars")
Color(s) Navy Blue and Gold (Formerly Purple and Gold)
Established 1870
Homepage

The Webb School is a private coeducational college preparatory boarding and day school in Bell Buckle, Tennessee, founded in 1870.

From modest beginnings in Reconstruction-era Tennessee, Webb grew to achieve national significance. It has been called the finest preparatory school in the South. Under founder Sawney Webb's leadership, the school produced more Rhodes Scholars than any other secondary school in the United States.[1]

Contents

[edit] Mission

"To turn out young people who are tireless workers, and who know how to work effectively; who are accurate scholars; who know the finer points of morals and who practice them in their daily living; who are always courteous." -- William R. Webb

[edit] History

William R. "Sawney" Webb started the Webb School as a school for boys in Culleoka, Tennessee, in 1870. He was joined by his brother, John M. Webb, in 1873. [1]

The school began to establish a reputation for academic excellence after Vanderbilt University was founded in 1875 and Webb School's "oldest and best boys" enrolled. The only Vanderbilt students who took honors in their examinations at the end of the university's first year were Webb graduates.[1]

Webb moved the school from Culleoka to its present-day location, a 100+ acre campus in Bell Buckle, in 1886 after Culleoka incorporated and legalized the sale of alcohol in the new city. [2] [1]

From modest beginnings in Reconstruction-era Tennessee, Webb grew to achieve national significance. It has been called the finest preparatory school in the South. Under Sawney Webb's leadership, the school produced more Rhodes Scholars than any other secondary school in the United States.[1]

Sawney Webb's son W. R. Webb Jr., known as "Son Will," joined the school as a teacher in 1897 and became co-principal of the school with his father and uncle in 1908. After their deaths (John Webb died in 1916 and Sawney Webb in 1926), he became headmaster and remained in that position until his retirement in 1952.[3]

Webb began admitting girls as boarding students in 1973,[3] but throughout its history Webb had allowed local girls to attend as day students, as noted in "The Schoolmaker" by Laurance McMillin, pg 120.

[edit] Campus and facilities

The school recently completed conversion of a former swimming pool complex into the school's new fine arts building. This marks the culmination of a recent effort by headmaster Albert Cauz to increase the emphasis on arts in the school's curriculum.

[edit] Curriculum and programs

Webb retains its traditional emphasis on personal honor and a rigorous liberal arts curriculum. Currently there are about 300 students enrolled.

[edit] Athletics

Webb is currently a Division II member school of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association, The Webb Feet compete in several sports, including baseball, lacrosse, basketball, tennis, cross-country, soccer, golf, and volleyball.

The 2007-2008 athletic season featured numerous successes. The Varsity Golf and Cross-Country team advanced to the state tournament during the fall. The Varsity Boys's Basketball team opened the season 16-0 and made it to the sub-state level. The Varsity Boys' and Girls' Tennis teams also competed at the sub-state level this spring with the boys' and girls' doubles teams advancing to state. Finally, the Varsity Boys' Soccer Team advanced to the TSSAA Division IIA State Championship Game. The team narrowly lost by one goal in the final overtime period. This was the first appearance by a Webb team in a TSSAA state championship game.

[edit] Notable alumni

[edit] Related schools

Sawney Webb's son and grandson later established The Webb Schools in Claremont, California and the Webb School of Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, respectively.

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d e William R. "Sawney" Webb in the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture
  2. ^ Maury County (TN) Public Schools, The History of Education in the Culleoka Area
  3. ^ a b Webb School in the Tennessee Encyclopedia of History and Culture