It began with a vision. In 1898, Dr. Lyman Ward and his wife, Mary, established a school not just to educate, but to empower.
The Wards’ journey to Camp Hill, Alabama, was not a coincidence—it was part of a larger movement shaped by the aftermath of the Civil War.
Ward, a New York native, had committed his life to ministry. While visiting Camp Hill as a Universalist minister, he saw firsthand the region’s desperate need for access to education. But it was a speech by Booker T. Washington, given back in New York, that ultimately cemented his purpose. As Washington spoke about the Tuskegee Institute and its mission to provide industrial training, he “felt the real call to go South,” and shortly after marrying Mary Louis Smith, they made Camp Hill their home.
It was not easy work, but to the Wards, and to the school’s many faithful friends and students, it was absolutely worth it. The school was a working farm, with dairy cows, fields of produce, and a 750-tree fruit orchard. Some of the earliest buildings were built by the students. A printing press was kept in Drummond Print Shop, the oldest building still standing on campus. With Dr. Ward acting as editor, a monthly newsletter was published and circulated to thousands of people across the nation.
Through perseverance, dedication, and the deeply held belief that the school was needed, it flourished. In 1901, it was officially incorporated, and for decades, it remained a beacon of hope for those with the willingness to work and the ability to learn.
In 1948, 50 years after moving to Camp Hill, Dr. Ward passed away, leaving his and Mary’s dreams in the hands of those who sought to make him proud.
As the world changed, so did the school. By the 1950s, America was emerging from World War II and the Korean War, and the nation was on the brink of the Vietnam conflict. Society was deeply divided by issues of race and civil rights, yet one thing remained clear: the need for leaders of integrity and discipline. Amidst financial struggles and shifting societal needs, the school adapted by incorporating a military training program.
The Board of Trustees voted in 1954 to change the name of the institution to Lyman Ward Military Academy, embracing a military structure to instill the values of leadership, responsibility, and service. This transition mirrored the societal shift—at the time, most families had direct ties to someone who had served in the armed forces.
Cadets from the Academy have gone on to change the world.
In 2019, the Academy’s name was changed to Southern Preparatory Academy, honoring the past name of the school and setting up for a future beyond “military academy.”
In February 2025, the Board of Trustees approved a strategic plan for the school’s future. This new strategic vision is deeply rooted in the foundational principles established by Dr. Lyman Ward, adapting them to the unique challenges of the 21st century. We are intentionally drawing upon the best aspects of the Southern Industrial Institute’s emphasis on practical education and preparation for “the work of life,” now extended to include the rapidly evolving landscape of information technology and advancing technologies. Simultaneously, we honor the structure and leadership development inherent in the military education model, which remains crucial for navigating an increasingly complex world. This synthesis of industrial and military educational philosophies, enriched by a focus on cutting-edge technological literacy, allows us to cultivate well-rounded individuals who possess both technical competence and strong moral character, ensuring they are prepared to lead with purpose and integrity in a technology-driven global society.
In alignment with this vision, we are also expanding our offerings to include day students, both male and female, with the option to participate in our military program.
Explore our campus… before you get here!
