Briarwood Christian School

Briarwood Christian School is a private school in Birmingham, Alabama. It was started by Briarwood Presbyterian Church in 1965 as a segregation academy.[3] In 1970, when integration of the public schools was mandated by the federal government, the IRS began revoking the tax exempt status of segregation academies. As a result, Briarwood began advertising it would accept negroes, although none applied at that time. The schools enrollment of white students was expected more than doubled in that year, from 210 to 550.[4] In 1977, the school had its own dedicated facilities constructed on Highway 119, about 15 miles south of the current church campus. Elementary school classes and sixth grade are still held at the main church building.

Briarwood Christian School
Address
6255 Cahaba Valley Rd

Birmingham
,
Alabama
Coordinates33.3914605°N 86.6902063°W / 33.3914605; -86.6902063
Information
DenominationChristian (Presbyterian (PCA))[1]
Established1965 (1965)
NCES School ID01926233
GradesK-12
Enrollment1830[2] (2016)
Campus typeLarge suburb
AccreditationAssociation of Christian Schools International (ACSI)
Websitewww.briarwoodchristianschool.org

Briarwood Christian School is now a SACS-accredited K-12 school with 1,900 students. It operates in four sections: Early Childhood, Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High.

Athletics

Briarwood High School has won 34 AHSAA State Athletic Championships since 1990.[5]

Varsity Football

The Briarwood football team has won four state titles and is currently coached by Mathew Forester. Former head coach Fred Yancey is second on the list of all-time winningest Alabama high school head coaches. His staff includes fellow former Alabama players David Hannah, Chris Donnelly, and Ernest Carroll.[6] Former Alabama teammates under Bear Bryant, Jeremiah Castille (Super Bowl competitor) and Joey Jones (current University of South Alabama head coach) as well as former Alabama defensive back Sam Shade have also served as assistant coaches at the school. Former Briarwood players include NFL players Tim and Simeon Castille, as well as Barrett Trotter, former Auburn starting quarterback and former St. Louis Rams football operations assistant. Former Briarwood quarterback and offensive coordinator Joe Craddock is currently on the football coaching staff at University of Arkansas football. Craddock serves as the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach for the Razorbacks.

Other Varsity Sports

Olympic gold medalist Cat Reddick played soccer at the school before joining the United States women's national soccer team.

Discipline

Until 2018, the school's website included a page called "school philosophy" which said that it "believes the Bible teaches the use of corporal punishment in the discipline of young people. Staff are instructed to use the paddle whenever necessary", however, this is a rare happening.[7] That page has now gone, but the application form for international high-school students still requires parents to agree that "Briarwood Christian School has full discretion in the discipline of students while at the School, including paddling".[8]

In 2017, the school's sponsor, the Briarwood Presbyterian Church, petitioned the state of Alabama to charter its own police force.[9]

“After the shooting at Sandy Hook and in the wake of similar assaults at churches and schools, Briarwood recognized the need to provide qualified first responders to coordinate with local law enforcement." Matt Moore, church administrator

That year, the bill died in the legislature, but in 2019, HB 309 passed and was signed into law by Governor Kay Ivey[10]

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References
  1. "Our Denomination- The PCA". Briarwood. Retrieved January 3, 2020.
  2. "Private School Survey". NCES. Archived from the original on December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  3. "Our Heritage". Briarwood Presbyterian Church. Archived from the original on August 9, 2007. Retrieved September 9, 2007.
  4. Thomas, Rex (August 27, 1970). "Some Private Schools Inviting Blacks". Alabama Journal. Montgomery, Alabama. p. 13.
  5. "Briarwood Athletics Overview". Briarwood Christian School. Retrieved February 1, 2009.
  6. "Briarwood Christian School football team loaded with star-studded group of coaches" Archived December 26, 2007, at Archive.today, Birmingham News, Alabama, December 6, 2006.
  7. "School Philosophy" (PDF). Briarwood Christian School. 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  8. "International Student Application Form" (PDF). Briarwood Christian School. January 2014. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  9. Siemaszko, Corky (March 20, 2017). "Alabama May Allow Church to Form Own Police Force". NBC News. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
  10. "Law enforcement, schools, provide for Madison Academy, Briarwood Presbyterian Church, and Briarwood Christian School to employ police officers, Sec. 16-22-1 am'd". bamapolitics.com. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
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