History of Oak Forest Academy
Established in 1969
In February of 1969, a group of teachers and interested parents met in Amite and agreed to form a new school. A ten-acre plot of land was purchased from the McClendon Estate. Ground was broken in July of 1969 and cleared by Mr. Emile J. Courtney and Mr. Stanley Anderson. The concrete block building, which is the present-day Elementary School, housed a mere ten classrooms after being built by Amite Building and Supply.
Class is in Session
The first classes were held in October of 1969 for grades 1-9. Mrs. Betty Harrelson served as principal and second-grade teacher. Other original faculty members included: Allie Hyde, Marilyn Dees, Sue Frey, Grace Knighten, Mary Barbara Kinchen, Katherine Raborn, Julia Kemp, and Ruby Thompson. The original Board of Directors consisted of Jack Lindsay, Gordon Daniel, Fred Anderson, Roy Stewart, Jr., and Doug Kent. Kenneth Courtney and Lee Gray were added to the Board in July of 1969, then Hank Brumfield and Donald Houeye were added in December.
A contest was held for the students to select the school name, mascot, and school colors. Student entries were submitted to the Board, who made the final decision: Oak Forest Academy, Yellow Jackets, and Black and Gold.