Benton Academy

Benton Academy is an independent, co-educational college preparatory school in Benton, Mississippi (United States). It is a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools. It was founded as a segregation academy in 1969.[2] Although in 2014 Benton Academy claims to have a nondiscriminatory policy, as is required by Runyon v. McCrary,[3] as of 2016, the school still did not enroll a single black student.[1][4] The school is located in Yazoo County, Mississippi, which has a population that is 57 percent black as of the 2010 census.[5]

Benton Academy
Address
216 Academy Drive, P.O. Drawer 308

Benton
,
Mississippi
39039
Coordinates32°49′10″N 90°15′24″W
Information
HeadmasterSteve Flemming
Teaching staff20.9 (FTE)
GradesPK-12
Enrollment263 (2015–2016)
Student to teacher ratio11.6
NicknameRaiders
AccreditationMississippi Association of Independent Schools, Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Websiteschool website
[1]

History

Benton Academy was founded in 1969 as a segregation academy in response to the court ordered racial desegregation of public schools. [6] The school opened in January 1970 in the middle of school year.[7]

In 1977, the NAACP called for the principal of Benton High School to resign since he was perceived to condone segregation by sending his children to Benton Academy.[8]

Demographics
Further information: Education segregation in Mississippi Red Clay region

The demographic breakdown of the 242 K-12 students enrolled in 2015–2016 was:[1]

  • Native American/Alaskan – 0.0%
  • Asian/Pacific islanders – 0.0%
  • Black – 0.0%
  • Hispanic – 0.0%
  • White – 100%
  • Multiracial – 0.0%

Athletics

Benton Academy athletic teams compete in the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools league.[9]

Notable alumni

See also
  • List of Private Schools in Mississippi

References
  1. "Search for Private Schools – School Detail for Benton Academy". ed.gov. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  2. McGee, Meredith (March 21, 2013). James Meredith : warrior and the America that created him. Santa Barbara, California. p. 40. ISBN 9780313397400. OCLC 768800260.
  3. "ENROLLMENT CONTRACT FOR 2014-2015" (PDF). benton-academy.net/. Benton Academy. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  4. Sarah Carr (December 13, 2012). "Private academies keep students separate and unequal 40 years later". The Atlantic. Retrieved January 16, 2014.
  5. "Yazoo County, Mississippi". census.gov. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 20, 2016. Retrieved July 18, 2014.
  6. "Private academies keep students separate and unequal 40 years later – The Hechinger Report". The Hechinger Report. December 13, 2012. Retrieved November 21, 2017.
  7. "Private school in Yazoo county reveal schedules". Jackson Clarion-Ledger. January 5, 1970. p. 14.
  8. Flynn, Pat (September 9, 1977). "Boycotters present grievances". Yazoo City Herald. p. 1.
  9. "Mississippi Association of Independent Schools Home Page". msais.org. Retrieved September 15, 2015.
  10. "MSU trio wins SEC, national awards".
  11. Jacome, Michael (October 28, 2009). "Saved By Grace". Jackson Free Press. Retrieved January 24, 2019.


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