Desoto County Academy

Desoto Christian Academy
100 Academy Drive, Olive Branch, MS 38654 [1] United States
Information
Type	Private
Motto	"Learners Today. Leaders Tomorrow." [2]
Established	1970 (1970)
Principal	Andy Price [3]
Grades	PK-12 [4]
Colors	Navy Blue & Powder Blue
Team name	Ambassadors
Website	www.desotochristian.com

Desoto Christian Academy is a non-denominational Christian private school in Olive Branch, Mississippi. The school serves more than 600 students in grades pre-kindergarten through twelve.

The school was founded in 1970 as Ark Academy as a caucasian only school during a period of school desegregation in Mississippi. It was renamed Desoto County Academy in 1974 and later became Desoto Christian Academy in 2018. The school is now integrated and enrolls students of all races and nationalities.

History

Betty Furniss founded Ark Academy in 1970. ^[5] Veronica Elizabeth “Betty” Trainer Furniss was a member of the Citizens' Councils of America. ^[6] The name Ark Academy was chosen, because, just as Noah is said to have saved humanity from a great flood, Furniss believed she was saving humanity from school integration. ^[7]

The school was renamed Desoto County Academy in 1974. The mascot has been changed from Mighty Doves to Ambassadors.^{[ citation needed ]}

References

1. https://www.desotochristian.com/contact/location.cfm ^{[ bare URL ]}
2. https://www.desotochristian.com/ ^{[ bare URL ]}
3. "Our Headmaster - Desoto Christian Academy".
4. "About Us - Desoto Christian Academy".
5. Dianis, Judith Brown (April 28, 2015). "Title VI Complaint" (PDF). p. 2. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
6. "CofCC charter member Betty Furniss passed away". Memphis Commercial Appeal. June 20, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
7. "Title VI Complaint Filed Against DeSoto County School District and DeSoto County Board of Education for Discrimination of Black Students" (PDF). Retrieved July 18, 2020.