French Camp Academy

French Camp Academy

French Camp Academy (FCA) is an interdenominational Christian boarding home and academy in French Camp, Mississippi.

The school operates several businesses in French Camp, including a bed and breakfast, a gift shop, and a restaurant.

History

A group of Scotch-Irish Christians, under the area Presbyterian Church, established the The Central Mississippi Institute for Girls in 1885. The French Camp Academy for Boys opened later in 1885. The school was intended for children of Native Americans and White settlers who lived in the French Camp area. In 1915 a fire destroyed the girls' school; both the schools for boys and girls combined as the French Camp Academy. In 1950 the school was reorganized under a board of trustees, which represented various Christian denominations.

Location and composition

French Camp Academy is in French Camp, 80 miles (130 km) south of Tupelo and 90 miles (140 km) north of Jackson. The school has a total of 900 acres (360 ha) of land.

The school hosts the Rainwater Observatory and Planetarium, the largest planetary observatory in Mississippi. The observatory, with 16 telescopes, has a clear view of outer space since it is far from major cities, which are sources of light pollution. The observatory is open by appointment to members of the public.

Education

Residents of French Camp Academy attend French Camp Elementary School, a school of the Choctaw County School District located across the street from French Camp Academy, for grades Kindergarten through 8. Students in grades 7 through 8 can also take classes at the , a Choctaw County School District school in Weir, and become involved in its technology preparatory program. 7th grade students may take career discovery courses, and 8th grade students may take computer discovery courses.

High school students attend French Camp Academy's in-house high school. Students attending the French Camp high school are required to wear school uniforms. High school students may attend a vocational technology program in the in Ackerman.

Businesses

French Camp operates the Council House, a restaurant. The Council House serves Mississippi mud pie.

WCFA

French Camp Academy hosts the WFCA radio station, a non-profit radio station with its studios located along the Natchez Trace Parkway at Mile Marker 181. H. Richard Cannon, president of the school, conceived of the idea of the radio station while taking a mission field trip in New Guinea.

Festivals

The French Camp village harvest festival, held annually every second Sunday of October, has its proceeds benefiting the school.

Demographics

As of 2011 about 300 children and adults live and work on the campus.

See also

References

External links

• French Camp Academy

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