History
To the glory of God.
Plans for the establishment of Brentwood Academy began early in 1969. Goals centered on the education of young people through individualized instruction in an environment conducive to the nurturing of each student’s mind, spirit, and body.
The charter of Brentwood Academy was signed on November 20, 1969. The Board of Trustees attending the first meeting were Joe M. Rodgers, James E. French, William C. Cate, Jr., Jack A. Butler, Morris Werthan II, J. Richard Cole, Randall N. Yearwood, and William B. Brown, Jr. Members unable to attend were Mrs. H. Rodes Hart, Tom P. Kennedy, Jr., H. Lynn Greer, and Miller Kimbrough.
In December, 1969, Tom P. Kennedy, Jr. offered the school ten acres of land on Granny White Pike. The offer was accepted and an option was obtained on 20 additional acres. The first building, containing four classrooms, a science laboratory, boys’ and girls’ dressing rooms, administrative offices, and a commons area, was completed in August, 1970. The first classes were held on September 8, 1970. The charter students selected the eagle mascot and the red, white, and blue school colors.
In 1972, Brentwood Academy purchased complete library furnishings and 6,900 volumes of reference material, literature, and other resource media. The alumni of Duncan Preparatory School (1908-1952), who wished to establish a memorial to Mr. and Mrs. Marvin T. Duncan, donated funds for the library. Leading the alumni drive were P.D. Houston, Fred Russell, Jimmy Miller, and Aubrey Maxwell. Yearbooks, scrapbooks, senior composites and photographs, given by alumni, were placed in the Duncan School Memorial Library of Brentwood Academy. These artifacts are currently on display in the library. The Duncan motto Vivat Veritas (Let Truth Prevail) became the Brentwood Academy motto and the name of the Brentwood Academy endowment society. Brentwood Academy maintains a close relationship with Duncan alumni by providing a venue for regular reunions and by actively presenting the many core values both schools hold dear.
The stadium and football field, along with four laykold tennis courts, were completed in August, 1972. An all-weather track was the gift of Dr. and Mrs. William Wadlington.
In May, 1974, Brentwood Academy was awarded membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the R.O. Beauchamp Chapter of the National Honor Society was chartered. In 1975, accreditation was granted by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).
In August, 1976, a music area, photography laboratory, art center, theater, food service area and faculty workroom were constructed. To aid in long range planning, Walter Knestrick spearheaded the formation of an endowment program in 1981.
In the fall of 1983, a capital campaign under the direction of Bill Sheriff and Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers raised over one million dollars to construct a new library, computer room, administrative offices, middle school gymnasium and wrestling room.
In August, 1995, an additional sixteen classrooms, a full-service dining hall, new lobby areas, a new computer lab, a new green house and an Alumni Garden were completed. The capital campaign to raise funds for this extensive addition was under the direction of George West III, Tom McDow III and Dan Brown. The Vivat Veritas, Let Truth Prevail, Endowment Society was established to encourage support to the ongoing mission of the school.
In 1998, a long range plan was established for additional campus space and facilities. Spearheading the plan were David Minnigan ‘76 and Carl Storey III ‘76. A capital campaign under the leadership of Richard Wright and Roland and Sarah Lundy was begun in 1999. Honorary campaign chairs were Bill Sheriff and Ambassador Joe M. Rodgers. In July, 1999, nineteen acres to the north of the campus were purchased from longtime neighbor, Mrs. Maggie Speight, and use of this land now includes a new soccer field, athletic practice fields, and an additional campus entrance. Also purchased was the “little yellow house” which has been converted to a visual arts center. A new middle school facility, complete with three grade dens, science and athletic facilities, was completed in January, 2001.
In 2003, the campus Master Plan was updated, providing guidance to future expansion as needs demand and resources allow.
In 2005, ground was broken on a new Fine Arts Academic and Rehearsal Center and the first floor of a new Athletic Fitness Center, a result of a capital campaign led by the trustee board and campaign chairs Regg Swanson and Jane Smith. Both centers were open for the 2006-2007 school year. In 2005, Brentwood Academy was granted dual accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS).
In the summer of 2012, a renovation campaign helped raise funds for important upgrades to our science labs, upper school gym, theatre and dining hall. In the summer of 2013, the campaign continued and major improvements were made to our track, field, and stadium.
BA's 50th Anniversary
BA at 40 Years
In 2010, Brentwood Academy published a commemorative book which chronicles the first 40 years in the life of the school. Books were distributed to all BA families, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents and others in the community who have been a part of the mission and ministry of Brentwood Academy. If you would like a copy, please contact Angie Collins in the Development Office.
BA Football
Author Bill Traughber is a Brentwood Academy alumnus and a football player on the first BA football team. He has produced a history of the first forty years of the Brentwood Academy football program with insights and interviews with many people associated with the program over the years.
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