At Southern Preparatory Academy, we build future leaders through camaraderie, military structure, and traditional values.
Our all-male boarding students are fully immersed in a structured military environment, while male and female day students have the option to join the Corps of Cadets for the full military experience.
Our renowned military program goes beyond academics, shaping young men and women into disciplined, confident, and responsible leaders. Through JROTC courses, leadership training, drills, and parades, cadets develop integrity, resilience, and a strong sense of duty.
From reveille to taps, each day is structured to encourage personal growth, academic achievement, and character development. Cadets learn to embrace responsibility, respect others, and push themselves to excel—whether in the classroom, on the athletic field, or in their military roles.
Cadets at Southern Prep experience a unique sense of camaraderie as they work together toward shared goals. They develop leadership skills, self-discipline, and confidence that prepare them for success in college, careers, and life.
Southern Prep welcomed Dr. Edwin Aycock as Commandant of Cadets in January 2025. A highly accomplished leader with over three decades of distinguished service in the United States Army, Dr. Aycock began his career as a combat medic, serving in Operation Desert Storm and numerous other conflicts, including Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Commissioned in 2001 as a Distinguished Military Honor Graduate from South Carolina State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in History, he has since held pivotal roles such as Executive Officer to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Brigade Executive Officer at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, and White House Liaison for the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
In addition to his military achievements, Dr. Aycock has a Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling from Webster University and a Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology from the University of Delaware. With a robust background in leadership, education, and counseling, as well as teaching experience at institutions including West Point and South Carolina State University, Dr. Aycock is uniquely equipped to mentor and guide Southern Prep’s cadets to success.
Thank you for your interest in Southern Preparatory Academy. Located in Camp Hill, AL, Southern Prep educates students in grades 7-12.
Please complete the following form in order to receive our Admissions Packet via email. If you have a specific question or would like to arrange a campus tour, please call the Admissions Office at 256-790-9202 or 256-496-8864.
