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Alexander City Schools is the public school district of Alexander City, Alabama, established in 1879. Alexander City Schools serves 2,948 students and employs 170 teachers and 67 staff as of the 2020–2021 school year. The district includes two elementary schools, two middle schools, and one high school.

History

The Alexander City schools were affected historically by desegregation efforts within Alabama. By the fall of 1970, the 31% minority student total of the public school system was distributed within the then-existing schools as follows:

• Jim Pearson Elementary (Grades 1-2) total enrollment of 704 numbered 235 black and 469 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 black teachers and 21 other teachers on its 30-member faculty.
• Laurel Elementary (Grades 3-4) total enrollment of 652 numbered 213 black and 439 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 black teachers and 19 other teachers on its 28-member faculty.
• Russell Elementary (Grades 5-6) total enrollment of 662 numbered 200 black and 462 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 black teachers and 15 other teachers on its 24-member faculty.
• Alexander City Junior High (Grades 7-9) total enrollment of 1,102 numbered 369 black and 733 other students. At the same time, the school had 13 black teachers and 32 other teachers on its 45-member faculty.
• Benjamin Russell High (Grades 10-12) total enrollment of 806 numbered 204 black and 602 other students. At the same time, the school had 9 black teachers and 35 other teachers on its 44-member faculty.

In 2005 the Alexander City Schools system was awarded district accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). All graduates of Benjamin Russell High School gain two years of tuition-free education through the Central Alabama Community College under the Gateway to Education Scholarship Program, which was awarded the National Civic Star Award by the American Association of School Administrators in 2007.

School Board

Schools

Alexander City Schools consists of five schools:

• Jim Pearson Elementary School (PK-2)
• Nathaniel H. Stephens Elementary School (3-4)
• William L. Radney Elementary School (5-6)
• Alexander City Middle School (7-8)
• Benjamin Russell High School (9-12)

Facilities

In partnership with the College of Engineering of Auburn University, Benjamin Russell High School has included an Engineering Academy since 2007.

The High School also has a "Success Center", a learning lab for students who have not passed one or more sections of the High School Graduation Exam, giving them an opportunity to retake the test.

Governance

Its interim superintendent is Beverly Price, appointed in April 2022. The High School Principal is Shannon Benefield.

Strategic Plan

The district's Strategic Plan for 2008–2013 includes targets for dental screening, physical activity for all students, responsible eating and nutritional information, safety codes, behavior monitoring, richer student experiences and problem solving, after-school programs, mentorship program, parental involvement, greater professional development for teachers, and art and foreign-language teaching.

Policies

The district's dress code requires students to be neatly dressed, clean and well groomed. Boys' shirts must be tucked in, and shorts and skirts must be no shorter than 2 inches above the kneecap. Pants must cover the hips, and shoes must be worn.

Penalties for student misconduct include detention, in-school suspension, out-of-school suspension, Saturday school, alternative education program, and corporal punishment. The latter consists of a maximum of three licks administered in private to the student's buttocks with a wooden paddle. Parents who object to paddling may request an alternative punishment. No student is forced to submit to a paddling. Students may choose a spanking in lieu of suspension.

Notable alumni

• Eltoro Freeman, National Football League linebacker
• Kendall Graveman, Major League Baseball player
• Terrell Owens, National Football League wide receiver
• Bill White, Major League Baseball player
• Martevious Young, Indoor Football League, quarterback

References

1. ^ "Search for Public School Districts – District Detail for Alexander City". National Center for Education Statistics. Institute of Education Sciences. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
2. "Student/Parent Information Guide 2009-2010" (PDF). Alexander City Schools. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 24, 2009. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
3. United States Department of Health Education and Welfare (HEW) Office for Civil Rights, Directory of Public Secondary and Elementary Schools in Selected Districts: Fall 1970, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1972, p. 1. Terms are those used in the official report.
4. ^ "Accomplishments and Recognitions". Alexander City Schools. Archived from the original on July 19, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
5. "Success Center". Alexander City Schools. Archived from the original on December 8, 2007. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
6. "Superintendent's Message". Alexander City Schools. April 21, 2022. Retrieved August 27, 2022.
7. "Strategic Plan 2008-2013". Alexander City Schools. Archived from the original on May 13, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
8. "Dress code" (PDF). Alexander City Schools. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 26, 2010. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
9. "Board Policy 5.30.1 Corporal Punishment" (PDF). Alexander City Schools. July 13, 2010.
10. Swann, Wendy (February 9, 2003). "Administrators defend corporal punishment in schools". Alexander City Outlook. Retrieved July 11, 2010.
11. Goldberg, Charles (October 28, 2009). "Auburn's Eltoro Freeman happy to be back, ready to make impact". Huntsville Times. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
12. "Kendall Graveman Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved August 2, 2016.
13. Williams, Charean (June 18, 2006). "He's just Terrell back home". Star-Telegram. Chicago Tribune. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
14. "Bill White Statistics and History". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 4, 2014.
15. "Martevious Young, Southern Miss Golden Eagles, Quarterback". 247Sports. Retrieved June 26, 2024.

External links

• Official website
• The Pride of Alexander City: Benjamin Russell High School Band

• School districts in Alabama
• Education in Tallapoosa County, Alabama
• 1869 establishments in Alabama
• School districts established in 1869