Hartfield Academy

Hartfield Academy (or simply known as Hartfield) is an independent private school in Rankin County, Mississippi.[1] The school hosts K3–12th and has two campuses, West and East. Hartfield's main west campus, located in Flowood, Mississippi, is home to grades 3rd–12th, and Hartfield's smaller east campus, located in Brandon, Mississippi, is home to grades K3–2nd.

Hartfield Academy
Address
1240 Luckney Road Flowood , Mississippi 39232 United States
Coordinates	32.3479226°N 90.0486955°W / 32.3479226; -90.0486955
Information
Former names	University Christian School, Pinelake Christian School
Type	Independent school
Motto	Learn eagerly, Play skillfully, Live honorably
Religious affiliation(s)	Christianity
Established	2012
Opened	August 2012 (2012-08)
High School Principal	Jim Delaughter
Middle School Principal	John Bakelaar
Head of school	David Horner
Grades	K3–12th
Gender	Coeducational
Campus type	Suburban
Color(s)	Garnet and gold
Accreditations	SACS, MAIS, ACSI, SAIS
Yearbook	The Focus
Website	www.hartfield.org

History

Founding

Hartfield Academy was formerly known as University Christian School and Pinelake Christian School, a private school in Flowood, Mississippi and an elementary private school in Brandon, Mississippi respectively, which both schools merged in 2012.[2] Prior to the founding of the school, the school was originally known as University Christian School, which was also known before as Brandon Academy. Brandon Academy established in July 1970, and in August 1990,[3] the name changed from Brandon Academy to University Christian School.[4] The school moved to a new location from Brandon, Mississippi to Flowood, Mississippi. In 2012, University Christian School merged with Pinelake Christian School, founding Hartfield Academy.

Before the school opened its doors, the school went through a transition phase, which the west campus, formerly University Christian School, moved away from its former school identity.[5] After a substantial change in identity, Hartfield was open for school in August 2012. The school was renovated to adopt its new identity. The mascot was changed to the 'Hawks' and colors to garnet and gold.

Major expansion

Hartfield Academy's main west campus was relatively small. The school administration and its Board of Trustees planned a new 45,000-square foot addition, which cost around $9 million. The school ran a capital campaign Undeniably Different for the expansion efforts, which raised nearly $4.5 million, and the expansion included new interactive classrooms, high school administrative offices, IT Help Center, Thomas W. Colbert Theater, a main plaza, Cockrell Administrative Offices, a redesigned dining hall, new athletic equipment, a basketball practice gym, and three labs. Construction began in the summer 2018 and finished before August 2019.[6][7]

Academics

Hartfield Academy focuses on the mission and vision that every student "fulfill their God-given purpose", and the school exists to help families to prepare their students to purse "the next stage of life." Hartfield holds the five core values: Truth, Excellence, Service, Leadership, and Honor.[8]

Partnership with Belhaven University

In 2016, David Horner, Hartfield Academy's Head of School, and Kevin Russell, Belhaven University's Vice President for Enrollment Management and University Marketing, signed an agreement, which Belhaven established a dual-enrollment program with Hartfield and gave eligible Hartfield's students a tuition discount for the university's undergraduate program.[9] Students as of 2019 can take up 40 hours of dual-enrollment classes before graduation.[10]

Extracurricular Activities

Athletics

As of 2019, Hartfield Academy provides 24 sports team ranging from junior high football to varsity baseball.[11] These sports are run under the athletic department which sports include cheerleading, dance, football, softball, swimming, basketball, soccer, archery, baseball, track and field, cross country golf, and tennis.[12] Hartfield Academy competes with member schools of Midsouth Association of Independent Schools.

Robotics Team

Hartfield Academy's robotics team N.E.K.O.S competes in the Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge program, which is affiliated with CMSE (Center for Mathematics and Science Education) from the University of Mississippi. In 2019, the robotics team went to FIRST Worlds Championship in Houston, Texas during the Rover Ruckus competition season when the team qualified as one of two Mississippi teams to go.[13] Hartfield has had hosted local FIRST Tech Challenge robotics qualifiers in the past. As of September 2019, Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge moved its kickoff event to the school as a new location for future kickoffs.[14]

References

1. https://www.privateschoolreview.com/hartfield-academy-profile
2. "Pres. Christian lands Hartfield Aca. coach Dorman". USA TODAY High School Sports. March 25, 2014.
3. "MPSA 25 Service Awards Nomination Email (2006–2007)" (PDF). pp. 3, 7. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
4. "Brandon Academy Football Team History". www.ahsfhs.org. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
5. "Rankin County coaching icon makes his return at Hartfield". WAPT. March 30, 2012. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
6. "Hartfield Academy opens doors to major expansion". The Northside Sun. The Northside Sun. August 15, 2018. Retrieved December 4, 2019.
7. "Hartfield Academy Expansion and Renovation". CANIZARO CAWTHON DAVIS. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
8. "Mission and Vision". Hartfield.org. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
9. "Hartfield and Belhaven Partner on Multiple Fronts". Belhaven.edu. June 2, 2016. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
10. "Why Hartfield". Hartfield.org. Retrieved December 5, 2019.
11. "Athletic Department". Hartfield.org. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
12. "Sports Teams". Hartfield.org. Archived from the original on November 1, 2019. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
13. Coleman, Candance (April 1, 2019). "Cool Schools: Hartfield Academy". WJTV. Retrieved December 6, 2019.
14. "Welcome to SKYSTONE (SM) and the 2019–2020 Mississippi FIRST Tech Challenge Season!". us5.campaign-archive.com. Retrieved December 6, 2019.