The Lovett School

The Lovett School is a coeducational, kindergarten through twelfth grade independent school located in north Atlanta, Georgia.

History

In September 1926 Mrs. Eva Edwards Lovett, an innovative educator who emphasized the development of the whole child, officially began The Lovett School with 20 boys and girls in Grades 1-3 at a former home in Midtown Atlanta. By 1936, Lovett was able to become a true country day school, with a move to a wooded campus north of the city off West Wesley Road.

From 1936 to 1954, the school successfully grew under Mrs. Lovett's leadership, with her emphasis placed on progressive education, where children learn by doing. In the mid-1950s, plans for the continued direction of the school upon Mrs. Lovett's retirement were taken into consideration, and the school merged with The Cathedral of St. Philip. Plans were made to construct a larger school with improved facilities. The 1960-61 school year opened at 4075 Paces Ferry Road--Lovett's current location--with an enrollment of 1,024 students, representing all grades except the 12th. In June 1962, Lovett's first senior class graduated, all having been accepted at colleges and universities of their choice.

By 1964, both the elementary and high schools were accredited by the Georgia Commission of Accreditation (and each year subsequently), and the Upper School was accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Universities. Aggressive campus building projects continued through the 1960s, '70s and '80s, bringing to campus the Kilpatrick Stadium, Loridans House, Smith Natatorium, Vasser Woolley Library, Fuqua Center, Wallace Gym, Hite Welness Center, and more. In the early 1980s, Lovett became one of the select groups of schools in the country that was invited to nominate seniors for the prestigious Jefferson Scholarship at the University of Virginia and the Morehead Scholarship at the University of North Carolina. In 1992, the school philosophy was reviewed, and a mission statement was developed. The school also purchased more than convert|500|acre|km2 of rainforest, known as Siempre Verde, in Ecuador for the purpose of establishing a research and education center. In 1995 Lovett began hosting Summerbridge Atlanta (now known as Breakthrough Atlanta) , an academic enrichment program for middle school students from Atlanta's public schools.

During the 1998-99 school year, The Lovett School Board of Trustees worked in earnest toward a new strategic plan. Working committees met to plan for the school's future in the areas of governance, educational environment, co-curricular programs, character education, inclusivity, faculty/staff, technology, facilities, and endowment/development. The school was named an "independent school of distinction" in its Fall 1999 interim review by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The 2000-01 academic year was a very special one for Lovett. First and foremost, the school celebrated its 75th anniversary. The school came together to "Celebrate the Legacy and Continue the Vision" in many ways, including a history exhibition, a commemorative calendar, special chapel services, and an Open House and Gala that brought alumni, former faculty and staff, and many friends of the school back to campus for an extraordinary celebration. The 2000-01 school year also marked the introduction of Lovett's Character Pledge, developed by a committee of parents and staff in keeping with the goals of Lovett's Strategic Plan 2000. The Character Pledge reads as follows: "We, who are members of the Lovett community, seek to live lives of good character. We believe that good character grows from daily acts of honesty, respect, responsibility, and compassion. We pledge ourselves to develop these ideals with courage and integrity, striving to do what is right at all times." The school also embarked on Continuing the Vision: The 75th Anniversary Campaign, Lovett's largest and most ambitious fund-raising campaign ever ($55 million for Phase I). This campaign is raising the funds necessary to complete Phase I of the Master Campus Plan, a blueprint for dramatically improving the quality of student and faculty life. In 2001, construction began on the plan, which included a new Lower and Upper School and other projects that sought to increase green space and reduce the clutter of cars on campus.

2002-03 marked the last year for Lovett's pre-kindergarten program, and the school continues today as a Kindergarten through Grade 12 institution. Headmaster Jim Hendrix retired from Lovett in 2003, and was replaced by William S. Peebles IV. Under Peebles's new leadership, work has begun on a new strategic plan and Phase II of the Master Campus Plan, to include a new Middle School and community center.

Notable Alumni (Chronological Order)

*Charlotte Laws (1978), author, Los Angeles politician and animal rights activist
*Knox Culpepper (1981), record-holding linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs
*Shane Kimbrough (1985), NASA Astronaut
*Gale Harold (1987), Actor Queer As Folk, Vanished, numerous movies and TV appearances
*Spence Fischer (1992), four year starting quarterback at Duke University
*Whit Marshall (1992), linebacker for the Georgia Bulldogs, played two seasons in the NFL
*Adam Nelson (1993), Silver medalist in the 2000 and 2004 Olympics (shotput)
*George Lombard (1994), Major League Baseball outfielder
*Brent Abernathy (1996), Major League Baseball infielder, outfielder, Gold medalist in the 2000 Olympics (baseball)
*Christine Lakin (1997), Actress. Played "Al" on Step By Step as a child. Currently still acting/dancing/singing/writing in LA.
*Chip Myrick (2001) football player for Clemson University and the Indianapolis Colts. Now assistant coach of football and basketball for rival school Westminster.

References