Stratford Academy is the oldest independent, non-sectarian, college preparatory school in Middle Georgia. It opened its doors in September 1960 in the antebellum Overlook Mansion (now the Woodruff House) on Coleman Hill in historic downtown Macon. Now located on a beautiful, 107-acre campus on Peake Road, the school provides a challenging and supportive learning environment. Among the school's founding principles is intellectual independence — teaching young people how to think instead of what to think, where to look instead of what to see.
Stratford Academy is an independent, non-sectarian, college-preparatory school for students in pre-kindergarten through grade twelve that challenges its students to achieve their full potential by providing a superior education for students with diverse backgrounds talents and developing responsible, ethical, life-long learners.
Stratford Academy was founded in 1960 by a group of Macon parents who felt that the Middle Georgia area needed an independent college preparatory school. In September of 1960, the school opened its doors to 117 students and 17 faculty members in the antebellum Overlook Mansion on Coleman Hill in Macon's historic district. Thirteen students became Stratford's first alumni in 1962, and since that time, almost 3,800 young people have graduated from the school.
The current facilities were built in 1974 on more than seventy acres of wooded land in northwest Bibb County. The school completed its move when the Lower School and Kindergarten came to the campus in 1978. The new buildings represent a contemporary contrast to Overlook Mansion and house the four school divisions: Preschool, Lower School, Middle School, and Upper School. Completed in August 2000, the 17,500 square foot Olson Library continues the tradition of excellence by providing a state-of-the-art facility that creates an ideal learning environment and provides the best educational experience for Stratford students. Stratford has recently added a dedicated Science Center, the new Cantrell Lower School, and the Daws Student Activities Center. Stratford is today a school community of 845 students and more than 140 faculty and staff.
Stratford is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS), the Georgia Independent School Association (GISA), the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS), and the College Board. In 1982, Stratford earned accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Southern Association of Independent Schools.
Stratford Academy is committed to providing opportunities for students to develop their abilities and skills within the context of a rigorous curriculum. Begun in 1998, the Learning Support Center is staffed by learning specialists, tutors, and part-time teachers who understand learning differences and offer individualized and small group instruction to students experiencing academic difficulty. The underlying goal of the Learning Support Center is to prepare students to become successful, independent, life-long learners.
Stratford Academy's Counseling Department provides support services to students who may be experiencing any impediments to the process of learning. Interventions include but are not limited to short term counseling and guidance, crisis intervention, and referrals to appropriate community resources. Provided also are opportunities and support for strengthening social and emotional development to identify and reinforce individual student strengths. By implementing age-appropriate programs and educational opportunities, we work diligently to promote an inclusive and thorough climate.
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