Isle of Wight Academy
Encyclopedia
Isle of Wight Academy (IWA), founded in 1967 as a segregation academy, is an independent, non-sectarian, co-educational nonprofit day school located in Isle of Wight County, Virginia
. Currently, IWA admits students regarless of race, color, ethnic, national, or religious origin.
's strategy of massive resistance
to racial integration of public schools. It was one of many such schools which lost tax-exempt status in the early 1970s because of racially discriminatory admissions policies.
The Isle of Wight Academy regained its tax exempt status in 1985. However, in February 1986 the Internal Revenue Service
announced that it was opening an investigation to determine whether the IWA and two other Virginia private schools had actually abandoned these policies. William Hooper, IWA headmaster at that time, stated that although none of the school's 400 students were Black, the school was open to anyone. In April 1986 the IRS announced that both IWA and the Amelia Academy
would have their tax exemption revoked. Headmaster Hooper stated "We just have not had a black to apply or a minority to apply. I don't know what we can do at this point. I hope we'll get some applications so we can get this thing behind us. Evidently that's what it's going to take, and we'd be happy to get some tomorrow."
Many of the segregation academies which lost their tax exemptions experienced a sharp drop in donations. Some of them were forced out of business by the loss in income, but the Isle of Wight academy managed to survive. Bennie Vaughan, headmaster at IWA during the 1994-95 school year, attributed the school's survival to "innovative programs, enlightened leadership, extended bus routes and 'generous' contributions." G. Meri Longest, former president of the board of directors of one of the schools that ended up closing due to IRS actions, explained that the difference was that many donors to IWA were local farmers who were able to grow valuable cash crops such as tobacco, peanuts, and cotton. According to Longest, schools in less favorable locations, such as Longest's York Academy, were dependent on corn farmers, who generate much less money per acre, and so were unable to support their local private schools as generously.
Isle of Wight Academy regained its tax-exempt status in June 1987. In 1988, IWA enrolled 3 Black students out of 300, and in 1989 one. Headmaster Don Deaton told the Richmond Times-Dispatch
that "We would like to have more black students but it's hard to attract them."
standards and accreditation process. The school's philosophy is to "accept students of average or above average ability and develop them to their fullest potential by providing a quality program, which will build the student mentally, physically, and spiritually. The school emphasizes the honor, integrity, social development, and citizenship of the student."
.
Isle of Wight County, Virginia
As of the census of 2010, there were 35,270 people, 11,319 households, and 8,670 families residing in the county. The population density was 94 people per square mile . There were 12,066 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
. Currently, IWA admits students regarless of race, color, ethnic, national, or religious origin.
History
Isle of Wight Academy opened its doors in the fall of 1967 as a segregation academy, part of VirginiaVirginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
's strategy of massive resistance
Massive resistance
Massive resistance was a policy declared by U.S. Senator Harry F. Byrd, Sr. on February 24, 1956, to unite other white politicians and leaders in Virginia in a campaign of new state laws and policies to prevent public school desegregation after the Brown v. Board of Education Supreme Court decision...
to racial integration of public schools. It was one of many such schools which lost tax-exempt status in the early 1970s because of racially discriminatory admissions policies.
The Isle of Wight Academy regained its tax exempt status in 1985. However, in February 1986 the Internal Revenue Service
Internal Revenue Service
The Internal Revenue Service is the revenue service of the United States federal government. The agency is a bureau of the Department of the Treasury, and is under the immediate direction of the Commissioner of Internal Revenue...
announced that it was opening an investigation to determine whether the IWA and two other Virginia private schools had actually abandoned these policies. William Hooper, IWA headmaster at that time, stated that although none of the school's 400 students were Black, the school was open to anyone. In April 1986 the IRS announced that both IWA and the Amelia Academy
Amelia Academy
Amelia Academy is an independent co-educational college preparatory school in Amelia, Virginia. The campus is located within the rural Piedmont region of central Virginia.-History:...
would have their tax exemption revoked. Headmaster Hooper stated "We just have not had a black to apply or a minority to apply. I don't know what we can do at this point. I hope we'll get some applications so we can get this thing behind us. Evidently that's what it's going to take, and we'd be happy to get some tomorrow."
Many of the segregation academies which lost their tax exemptions experienced a sharp drop in donations. Some of them were forced out of business by the loss in income, but the Isle of Wight academy managed to survive. Bennie Vaughan, headmaster at IWA during the 1994-95 school year, attributed the school's survival to "innovative programs, enlightened leadership, extended bus routes and 'generous' contributions." G. Meri Longest, former president of the board of directors of one of the schools that ended up closing due to IRS actions, explained that the difference was that many donors to IWA were local farmers who were able to grow valuable cash crops such as tobacco, peanuts, and cotton. According to Longest, schools in less favorable locations, such as Longest's York Academy, were dependent on corn farmers, who generate much less money per acre, and so were unable to support their local private schools as generously.
Isle of Wight Academy regained its tax-exempt status in June 1987. In 1988, IWA enrolled 3 Black students out of 300, and in 1989 one. Headmaster Don Deaton told the Richmond Times-Dispatch
Richmond Times-Dispatch
The Richmond Times-Dispatch is the primary daily newspaper in Richmond the capital of Virginia, United States, and is commonly considered the "newspaper of record" for events occurring in much of the state...
that "We would like to have more black students but it's hard to attract them."
Current Mission
The school's current mission is to enroll students regardless of race, color, ethnic, national, or religious origin, as required by the Southern Association of Colleges and SchoolsSouthern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
standards and accreditation process. The school's philosophy is to "accept students of average or above average ability and develop them to their fullest potential by providing a quality program, which will build the student mentally, physically, and spiritually. The school emphasizes the honor, integrity, social development, and citizenship of the student."
Accreditation
IWA holds dual accreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, attained in 1992, and the Virginia Independent Schools Association. In addition, IWA is a member of the Southern Association of Independent SchoolsSouthern Association of Independent Schools
The Southern Association of Independent Schools is a U.S.-based voluntary organization of more than 340 independent elementary and secondary schools through the South, representing more than 180,000 students...
.