History

In response to a community need for a local college preparatory
school, Washington School was established in the spring of 1969.
From the beginning, all plans for staff, faculty, and curriculum were
made in accordance with the standards established by the
Mississippi Accrediting Commission, the official accrediting agency
of the state of Mississippi.  Washington School was one of the first
private schools in the state to be accredited by the Mississippi
Private School Association and the Southern Association of
Colleges and Schools.

In early November of 1969, a charter was obtained from the state;
an organizational meeting was held, and a board of directors was
elected.  School began in September, 1970, with a staff of twenty-
three faculty members and 323 students.  Classes were held in the
present elementary building with the east side used for elementary
students and the west side for secondary students.  Each grade
consisted of one section with the exception of the fifth grade,
which consisted of two sections.

The sports program at Washington School was not established
until the second year.  Other extracurricular activities took shape
as clubs and organizations were formed.  A student council was
elected; a yearbook staff was chosen; a junior high basketball
team was formed; and the Beta Club, an honor organization for
academically superior students, was chartered at Washington
School.

Much has changed since the school's inception.  Today Washington
School has an enrollment of over 900 students with a faculty of
over 60 members, 65 percent of which have Master's Degrees. 
With an excellent statewide reputation, Washington School has
remained an outstanding college preparatory school.