Edgewood Academy, located on Highway 14 west of Wetumpka, was established in 1967 by a small group of citizens interested in providing a private school to serve the West Elmore County Area. The charter to form the school, formerly known as the Central Alabama Private School Association, was written and met all the laws of the State of Alabama.
The charter group then began the search for a building in which to house the school. Finding no such building available, the group began to look for a construction site. Mr. Charles Storrs, for whom the football field is named, donated the initial 2.2 acres of land for the original building. Edgewood’s campus has grown from this original small plot to a campus today that comprises more than 33 acres.
The founders of the school borrowed plans from Morgan Academy in Selma and construction began. Mr. Cecil Forehand of Eclectic agreed to build the school below his cost, asking only that his workers’ salaries be paid.
With completion of the new building, which housed six grades, the next step was to locate a headmaster. Mr. Sam McGowin, a charter member of the incorporation, volunteered to serve as headmaster without pay until a full time headmaster could be found. The Reverend David McGowin of Thorsby was hired shortly later.
The second year of schooling led to the classrooms being divided in order to house grades 1-9. Beginning in September 1969, the second wing of the building was complete, providing for the first graduating class, comprised of nine members, in the spring of 1970. The football field was completed in 1971 and a gymnasium was erected in 1972 to provide for Edgewood’s growing sports program. The school continued to grow over the years; in 1979, additional classrooms were added and baseball and softball fields were constructed in 1982. In 2002, a new elementary building and cafeteria were added to the Edgewood campus. Other recent campus improvements have included a renovated football stadium, gymnasium, and baseball-softball complex. Temporary portable classrooms have also been added to allow for growth.
Edgewood Academy joined the Alabama Private School Association, today known as the Alabama Independent School Association, in 1970 and was first accredited in 1974. Edgewood Academy still remains in this association, and has been recognized as one of the AISA’s select Blue Ribbon Schools every year since 2000. Edgewood is also accredited by the Southern Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as several other accrediting agencies.