David Emanuel Academy will soon begin its long anticipated process of campus expansion. The total project encompasses three additions that will be located on the current campus property. The process will begin in the upcoming months with the new main building being the first phase of expansion.
David Emanuel is a private school alternative in Emanuel County that also serves four other surrounding counties. With the loss of one of DEA’s historic buildings (2010 lightning fire) and with student enrollment at the highest in school history, an expansion has become inevitable. The DEA Board of Trustees recognized the need for an expansion and has planned and prepared, with the assistance of James W. Buckley & Associates, Inc., and Pope Construction, for what will be an extraordinary campus enhancement.
“This is an exciting time for David Emanuel Academy. Our school has been blessed tremendously - from past families and contributors to our present Board of Trustees, faculty and staff, and DEA families and constituents, our village is ready to meet the needs of our present while also preparing for our future,” says DEA Head of School Haylee Free. “Our Academy has weathered many storms and celebrated on high mountaintops, but it is because of the loyalty, love, and dedication of many past DEA families that we are at this point now and we give all of the glory to the Lord.”
“Since the fire of 2010, this has been a vision of the Board of Trustees. It has been a long process to get here but today, I’m proud to say that we have arrived at the moment where we will make this a reality. With this announcement, we honor all of our past trustees, as well as all of the hard-working parents who have poured their lives into our school,” stated Trustee Russ Yeomans. “This is not just an investment into our kids today, but many of us hope to have grandkids that will walk the halls, run the fields, and enjoy all that DEA is and will be,” added Dean McNure, Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The expansion project is designed in three sections all attached to DEA’s current campus buildings. The first phase will be a front addition that will connect all three main buildings and will also give DEA a new face and welcome entrance. Through this addition, DEA will gain new administrative offices, a faculty workroom, and restrooms, 4 new classrooms, new student restrooms, and a dining hall expansion and facelift. The remaining two phases will include five new classrooms and a new field house- complete with weight room, coaching offices, and athletic locker rooms.
To contribute to DEA’s expansion project, contact DEA Directors of Development, Agatha Terwilliger McRae [amcrae@deaeagles.com] or Allison Blount Martin [amartin@deaeagles.com]. David Emanuel Academy will announce the groundbreaking event through the Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce.
About David Emanuel Academy
From its humble beginnings of instruction in only eight grade levels in the fall of 1969, David Emanuel Academy has grown to encompass pre-k through twelfth grades. Through these halls, traditions abound, and a strong Christian academic curriculum has set the pace for decades.
During the 1960’s, local parents pushed to refurbish two brick school buildings that had served in years past as Stillmore School. One of such buildings was an impressive two-story Greek revival structure that housed an upstairs auditorium and remained in use until it was destroyed by fire on August 14, 2010.
In its first year of operation the school was directed by local business owner and parent, Mrs. Virginia Snell, and originally consisted of only grades first through eighth. Within the next year, under the supervision of Mr. David Beecher, the school’s enrollment increased to encompass twelve grades. It was during his tenure that the school expanded its faculty and extracurricular offerings to help guide DEA into becoming the school it is today.
David Emanuel Academy currently draws students from 5 surrounding counties and has consistently produced both athletic and literary graduates who succeed in continuing an advanced education. It continues to be a cornerstone of success by nurturing a family atmosphere, providing a strong academic curriculum, encouraging athletic involvement, and spiritually connecting them all together.
To learn more about David Emanuel Academy, visit the school’s website at www.deaeagles.com.
