Malia Riggs
Elmore Autauga News
Monday morning the newest school to Elmore County Schools, Ivy Classical Academy, hosted their inaugural ribbon cutting at High Point Town Center in Prattville. It signified the school’s long-awaited opening.
The location has a Prattville address, but falls within Elmore County.
The fifth graders of Ivy Classical led the pledge of allegiance in English as well as in Latin, showcasing the charter school’s commitment and emphasis on language and content rich subjects even within the first weeks of opening.
“What we need is for Ivy Classical to embody success always. And so, getting the school open, this ribbon cutting ceremony is not the finish line, but the start of Ivy Classical Academy and the Alabama classical group becoming, and more importantly, remaining the standard of excellence in public education across this great state of Alabama,” Board Chairman of the Ivy Classical Academy Bradley Neave said.
Many local officials within Elmore and Autauga County were in attendance. Others included Alabama Senator Clyde Chambliss, CEO of American Classical Education Patrick Whalen, Ivy Classical Founder and Board Chairman Bradley Neave, and Head of School David Withun.
Desirae Lewis-Jackson spoke on behalf of the Elmore County Commission, stating that education is so important, and this school is unique in the fact that students are from all over the county. She said she is excited to see the great things that come from Ivy Classical.
“Every student is important because every student has purpose and your purpose is rooted in their passion. Follow your passions. Understand your skill set. Look for those opportunities and when those opportunities open, here’s how you know you’ve arrived when you have satisfaction in what it is that you’re doing,” Chairman of the Elmore County Board of Education David Jones said.
With each year, as children progress, Ivy Classical Academy will be adding one grade level to accommodate students and eventually serve through 12th grade. At completion of the current plan, Ivy Classical Academy will be able to house over 1,000 students.
The construction currently planned is projected to be complete by 2026, and it will be broken up into three phases. Phase one is getting the K-5th in the building, which has already open to students, and what was celebrated Monday morning.
“Think of education like a period in a young person’s life where they’re taking on stores for the journey. Then the period when you’re in school, when you’re receiving your education, is when you’re like a vessel in a harbor, taking on stores. When you establish a school like this and you can even see it in the physical infrastructure here, you’re making a harbor. You’re creating a place where those precious stores are necessary to the safe and fruitful conduct of that voyage,” CEO of American Classical Education Patrick Whalen said.
Whalen went on to congratulate everyone on this immense achievement. Neave took the podium after Whalen. Neave stated that the five-year process to open Ivy Classical has been no small feat.
Neave went on to first thank his wife Jessica and the Board for their unwavering support. Neave thanked Elmore County, the Elmore County Board of Education, the City of Prattville and many others who each had a hand in the success of opening the new school.
“I chose to believe that until God showed me that this could not happen, I believe He wanted it to happen. That was just all the faith we needed to get this through. I mean, there were five years, and there were moments where this thing appeared dead. Even a few weeks before school started, I’m not afraid to admit that. But we got it open. And we never ever took our focus off God. And I think He’ll continue to bless the school tremendously as the years come on board,” Neave said.
Head of School Dr. David Withun then took the stage, and introduced the student of the month who cut the ribbon, signifying the official opening and success of Ivy Classical.
“They’re (the 5th graders) studying the Renaissance right now. This is the kind of education that noblemen would seek out for their children. Notice that I keep referring to leadership, right? The pharaohs and the patrician class in ancient Rome and the noblemen of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Until fairly recently, even though it was just the standard for education, a classical education was not accessible to most people. Even in the state of Alabama, until this year, there was no tuition -free option for classical education in the entire state. We are making that a reality, we are making it accessible to all children everywhere,” Withun said.
