Southern Prep Academy history

Dixon accepted and returned to the school for the first time since his graduation in 1922.

By 1942, Doctor Ward had given Southern his best for forty-four years and he brought back J. Brackin Kirkland and made him President.

In 1948, Ward's passing led to the establishment of a military department.

The new President, Wesley P. Smith, married to Peggy Joyce Pickren from Lafayette, Alabama, had joined the faculty at Lyman Ward in 1954 after receiving the B.S. and Master's Degrees in Psychology from Auburn University.

Slowly things began to improve, and by 1962 enrollment had increased more than 100% and old debts had been greatly reduced.

By May 1964, new entrances to the campus had been built, a new lighted football stadium had been completed, and a new rifle range had been erected, but more important, a new two-story modern dormitory was under construction.

In 1966, the school became a member of the JROTC program, and is currently assigned a retired officer and NCO by the Department of Army.

In 1967 an identical new dormitory was constructed on the opposite side of Russell Hall and a new dining hall, necessary because of the increase in enrollment, erected.

During a temporary slump in the school year 1970-71, experienced nationally by all military schools, the decision was made to establish a Junior School.

In 1972, the school received its first accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools which it maintains to this day.

Dixon's death in 1987, Mrs.

In June of 1994, the school opened with the largest number of students in its history and was completely free of indebtedness.

In August 2006, lightning struck and destroyed the Dixon All-Faith Chapel.

In October 2007, Tallapoosa Hall was added to the register of Alabama's Historic Landmarks by the Alabama Historical Commission.

The Rangers compete against private schools who are members of the AISA. All home football games have been broadcast live on the Academy's website by the Multimedia Club since 2010.

A new on-campus baseball field was scheduled to be completed in time for the start of the 2014 baseball season.