Statements
Mission
Benton Hall Academy offers a curriculum designed to challenge each student to his or her highest intellectual and creative abilities. The school's program strives to prepare each student academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally, through individualized instruction, to work to his or her potential and to make a successful transition into the workplace, or into a higher learning experience. The highest priority is given to the development of sensitive, autonomous human beings who relate well with others, know how to learn, and how to make wise choices.
Background
Benton Hall Academy was established in 1977. Its founder, John McLaughlin, saw a need for a school which focused on students who for a variety of reasons, have not performed to the best of their abilities in traditional schools. Since its beginning, over two thousand students have attended Benton Hall and have benefited from the school's unique philosophy and structure. The mission of Benton Hall is to improve the academic and social abilities of its students, and to enhance the quality of life for its students and their families. Individualized instruction and small classrooms is the key to our approach at Benton Hall. We recognize that every student learns differently, and by maintaining low student-teacher ratios, we are able to prepare our students academically, socially, behaviorally, and emotionally to reach their potential and make a successful transition into higher learning or a chosen vocation. We place the highest priority on developing sensitive, autonomous human beings who relate well to others and become lifelong learners who understand how to solve problems, make wise choices, and become contributing members of their communities.
Impact
Benton Hall School is accredited by the State of Tennessee and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. In fact, Benton Hall stands out as one of the few private schools in Tennessee that has dual certification by both the state and SACS. Benton Hall has a diverse student population adding a unique cultural learning atmosphere for students and teachers. Benton Hall provides a broad curriculum that meets all standards set forth by the state of Tennessee for all subject areas. Designed for students who were not thriving in traditional schools, Benton Hall's third through twelfth grade curriculum challenges each student to his or her highest intellectual and creative abilities. The sports program is an integral part of the educational experience. All students are encouraged to participate in our 'no cut policy' athletic program. There are many students who would benefit from the unique program offered at Benton Hall; however, they are financially unable to attend Benton Hall. Scholarships would allow these students to gain access to a much needed program. The use of technology has become an integral part of our educational program. Each student has a chromebook to use while they are in class.
Needs
1. Funds for advertising to increase enrollment: $15,000 2. Funds for extra-curricular activities for learning and athletics: $20,000 3. Funds to hire reading specialist and life skills coach: $20,0004. Playground equipment specific to our students needs: $30,000 Detailed lists available upon request.
CEO Statement
Benton Hall is a one-of-a-kind school. Although we meet and exceed all state requirements and are accredited by SACS and the State of Tennessee, it is not standardized test scores, extra-curricular activities or advanced diplomas attained by our faculty that sets us apart from other educational settings. Our excellent educators at Benton Hall are well trained, compassionate and committed teachers. I think that it is compassion, as well as willingness to accept students, as they are, where they are, that makes Benton Hall an educational oasis for non-traditional learners. A non-traditional learner is a student diagnosed with a learning difference, health impaired issues, such as ADD, ADHD and students who fail to thrive in a conventional learning environment. At Benton Hall Academy, we understand and celebrate that we as human beings are different in the ways we perceive the world, different in the ways we express our feelings and different in the way we relate to others. We have always understood that some students learn differently than others. Rather than forcing out of the box learners to conform to traditional teaching styles, classroom decorum and academic formulas, we believe it is important to offer these students a learning environment that is as individual as they are themselves. We try not to underestimate our students or let past behaviors determine futures. We start by working to give our students a taste of success. Very often, a taste is not enough. They begin to develop an appetite for doing their best, for wanting more instead of expecting less, and for overcoming instead of living up to negative labels. Our success is manifested through smaller classrooms, specially trained teachers, individualized curricula, and social skills/problem solving groups. We get to know our students beyond academic performance and surface social interactions.
Board Chair Statement
Over the past four years, the make up of the Benton Hall Board of Directors has changed drastically. That change has culminated in a synergistic group of professional men and women who decide policy, strategically plan for the school's future, and work closely with the Headmaster on finances. This team is aggressively seeking the financial wherewithal for the school to reach its enrollment, technology, facility and extra-curricular goals. For nearly its entire existence, the Benton Hall has struggled financially due to many reasons most significant of which was its sympathetic, but not business like, acceptance of students whose families simply could not afford the full tuition. To offset funding partial scholarships, the school relied on prepaid tuitions for the future year to offset expenses, effectively robbing Peter to pay Paul. This board and headmaster have clearly defined the organization's goals and policies and refined fundraising and marketing strategies in ways that allow Benton Hall to operate in the black and not rely on "future" monies. The school's operating budget for the coming year is approximately $995,340. Tuition and other school fees realize one half of the funds necessary to operate the school. Benton Hall must rely on grants and donations for the other half. Throughout Benton Hall's history, a key budgeting philosophy has been to offer top notch education while maintaining a low tuition with the outcome of reaching as many students as possible. This mission driven philosophy must be offset with aggressive fundraising. For the first time in many years, parents were actively engaged in fundraising, as were teachers and students. Certainly far from being "out of the woods," Benton Hall has a sustainable business plan.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools |
| Secondary Category: | - |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Hickman |
| TN - Lawrence |
| TN - Lewis |
| TN - Marshall |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Trousdale |
| TN - White |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Wilson |
