Academy of Richmond County
Encyclopedia
The Academy of Richmond County ("ARC or Richmond Academy) is a public high school listed on the National Register of Historic Places
located in Augusta
, Georgia
, USA. Originally known as Richmond County Military Academy, and commonly known as Richmond Academy, it was chartered in 1783. This makes it the third oldest existing public high school in the United States, and the oldest existing public high school in the South. Richmond Academy is located at the edge of the Summerville district of Augusta.
attended graduation ceremonies at ARC in 1791.
In 1926, The Academy of Richmond County moved to its present-day building of Walton Way. The principal of that time, Major George Butler, described the school in 1927 as "Second to none in the South in terms of facility." The 1926 building of the school has a Gothic
-style architecture
. Up until the 1950s, ARC was for white males only.During the 1950s the school became coeducational. In 1959, the school lost its status as a segregated
school.
Team won the 2005 National Society of Black Engineers
Try-Math-A-Thon, which was held in Boston
.
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
located in Augusta
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a consolidated city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located along the Savannah River. As of the 2010 census, the Augusta–Richmond County population was 195,844 not counting the unconsolidated cities of Hephzibah and Blythe.Augusta is the principal city of the Augusta-Richmond County...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
, USA. Originally known as Richmond County Military Academy, and commonly known as Richmond Academy, it was chartered in 1783. This makes it the third oldest existing public high school in the United States, and the oldest existing public high school in the South. Richmond Academy is located at the edge of the Summerville district of Augusta.
History
Initially an all-male, privately funded school, it became a military school after the American Civil War. Richmond Academy transitioned into a co-educational, traditional high school during the last half of the 20th century. The school retains a large Army JROTC contingent. President George WashingtonGeorge Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
attended graduation ceremonies at ARC in 1791.
In 1926, The Academy of Richmond County moved to its present-day building of Walton Way. The principal of that time, Major George Butler, described the school in 1927 as "Second to none in the South in terms of facility." The 1926 building of the school has a Gothic
Gothic architecture
Gothic architecture is a style of architecture that flourished during the high and late medieval period. It evolved from Romanesque architecture and was succeeded by Renaissance architecture....
-style architecture
Architecture
Architecture is both the process and product of planning, designing and construction. Architectural works, in the material form of buildings, are often perceived as cultural and political symbols and as works of art...
. Up until the 1950s, ARC was for white males only.During the 1950s the school became coeducational. In 1959, the school lost its status as a segregated
Racial segregation
Racial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
school.
Academics
The Academy of Richmond County has an International Baccalaureate and IB Programme taught within the school for grades 9 through 12. The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme is a college preparatory course of study for highly motivated high school students. The IB Program was added to the school in July 2003.Athletics
The school mascot is a Musketeer, and the school colors are purple and gold. The original school mascot was a bearcat. The 1951-1957 Richmond Academy boys baseball team was named one of the top 10 Georgia state sports dynasties.Mathematics team
The MathematicsMathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
Team won the 2005 National Society of Black Engineers
National Society of Black Engineers
National Society of Black Engineers , founded in 1975 at Purdue University, is one of the largest student-run organizations in the US, centered on improving the recruitment and retention of African-American engineering students.-History:...
Try-Math-A-Thon, which was held in Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
.