| Harding Academy | |
|---|---|
| Location | |
| Searcy, AR, USA | |
| Information | |
| Type | Private |
| Motto | "High Quality Academic Education in a Christian Environment." |
| Established | 1924 |
| Headmaster | Mr. James Simmons |
| Staff | 61 |
| Grades | K-12 |
| Number of students | 568 |
| Color(s) | Red and White |
| Athletics conference | Class 3A |
| Nickname | Wildcats |
| Affiliations | Church of Christ, Harding University |
| Website | www.hardingwildcats.org |
Harding Academy is a K-12 private school in Searcy, Arkansas. It is affiliated with Harding University. Like that institution, it is associated with the Churches of Christ and named in honor of an early minister of that fellowship, James A. Harding.
Mr. James Simmons is the current Headmaster.
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Harding Academy (H.A.) prides itself upon its rigorous approach to academics. Harding Academy is accredited by the National Christian School Association. Many students take AP courses and successfully gain college credit while still enrolled in high school. A very high percentage of each graduating class attends college.
The H.A. choral program is among the best in the state. The chorus consistently receives high rankings at competitions, and it gives concerts and goes on tours periodically. Several members of the chorus have performed at Carnegie Hall. The Choral director, Craig Jones won the National Christian School Association Teacher of the Year award for 2010. [3]
Other activities include quiz bowl, band, National Beta Club, art club, history club, chess club, key club, and drama. The H.A. Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) have been particularly successful in recent years, competing locally, statewide, and on the national level. In 2007, H.A. student Conor Kirkman[1] won second place in the Arkansas state FBLA competition in the Technology Concepts category, but he bested that feat when he won first place at the national FBLA competition in the same category.[2]
Every school day the students and faculty come together for chapel, followed by a daily 45-minute Bible period that all students (grades 7-12) attend.
The school is very active in helping the community; the school has volunteered to help clean parks and other public areas in Searcy. The school has an annual food drive which is usually organized by the S.A president. The school also helped raise money for the Bald Knob, Arkansas School District.
Harding Academy's mascot is the Wildcat, and its colors are red and white. H.A., which routinely defeats larger schools, won the best in Class 2A All-Sports ranking in 2005 and the best in Class 3A in all sports for 2006, "despite having a student body population of approximately 200 for grades 10-12".[3] Coach Brad Francis explained that the Wildcats “. . . had several teams go deep in the postseason” in 2006, though paradoxically none won state championships.[3] "According to Athletic Director Mike Keese, 70-75 percent of the boys in grades 10-12 at Harding Academy participate in at least one school sport, while 50 percent of the girls are involved in athletics".[3] Keese noted that this continues a tradition of excellence and "credited former principal Bill Diles, longtime superintendent Ed Higginbotham and former head football coach and athletic director Bill Barden for laying the foundation for the school’s athletic success".
The football team has won many conference championships and four state championships, and consistently does very well in football each year, often going very deep into the postseason.
Baseball is relatively new to Harding Academy, but after just a few seasons the baseball team won the Arkansas AAA State Championship in 2008, the first time the school has won a state title in baseball (Bagley). [4]
Volleyball, which is also relatively new recently acquired the title of 2011 Arkansas 3A State Champions.
The school also has a very prestigious junior high athletics program. The Junior High football team had an undefeated season in 2007 for the first time in school history.. The Junior High football currently has was their conference 2 years in a row. The junior high basketball teams and the track teams have also been very competitive.
To further enhance the athletic ability of students, the school gives all senior high students the option of taking a Wellness class. Wellness Class is a daily class period where students are building strength in the weight room, while also gaining strength and flexibility by various methods. Nearly all athletes are in a wellness class.
Boys may participate in these sports:
Girls may participate in these sports:
The girls' basketball team has won one state championship and many recent conference championships.
Also, there are two different sports education courses offered: Lifetime Sports (Lifetime sports was eliminated at the end of the 07-08 school year) and Physical Education.
Harding Academy prides itself in offering a high quality education, by offering a wide variety of AP and Honors classes. The school also requires all students (Grades 7-12) to take a Bible class; during these Bible classes the students are offered memorization work, and also a broader perspective on various topics of Christianity and the Bible. Harding Academy has continuously scored well above the state average on ACT scores. All classrooms are equipped with state-of-the-art Smartboard technology, which enables teachers to offer a wide array of educational experiences.
Students who maintain a 95% throughout the school year will be honored at the annual Circle of Excellence ceremony.