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The dream became a reality on April 1, 1973; groundbreaking ceremonies were conducted on the site. Mr. Frank Repult was chosen as the architect. Construction was set to begin on May 1, 1973. Plans were made for the school (grades 1-12) to open in the fall of 1973. For the interim it was projected that the elementary students would use Broadway Baptist Church's facilities and that the high school would use the facilities at Graceland Baptist Church. Mr. Royce Agerter was the first headmaster at SBEC, where there were 780 students and a staff of thirty-two. SBEC Groundbreaking Ceremony - 1973 We dedicate these buildings to the promotion of righteousness for the Godly teaching and guidance of youth, for the cause of religious liberty, for the renewed emphasis of the importance of God being central in the relationship for the home and all meaningful education and that our sons and daughters may learn that the most important lesson they will ever learn is to look to God for guidance and purpose in every decision to be made. Southern Baptist Educational Center April 1, 1973 The much anticipated dedication services were held on March 18, 1974, and the elementary and high school united in the new facilities. The first graduating class of 1974 consisted of twenty-four students. As the school continued to grow, it quickly faced not only a financial crisis, but also a philosophical and leadership crisis as well. In November of 1978, Broadway Baptist Church stepped forward and assumed total responsibility for the school and has been the school's sole sponsor since that time. In 1979 Paul E. Young was appointed headmaster, and along with Dr. Bobby Moore, pastor of Broadway Baptist Church, was responsible for the establishment and development of the Christian philosophy to which the school currently adheres. The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited SBEC in 1982. During the early 1980's the community where the school was located was undergoing significant change. The area was losing professionals as well as families who could afford to send their children to SBEC. As the enrollment began to drop, the decision was made to look for property in Desoto County. SBEC's current site was purchased in 1986, and the former facility was sold to the Memphis City School system. The Memphis Board of Education gave SBEC a million dollars in advance and allowed the school to continue to use the building for two years rent-free while the current facility was under construction. This facility is located on 63 spacious acres that it shares with Broadway Baptist Church at 7400 Getwell Road, Southaven, Mississippi, in Desoto County. The new school opened its doors in September 1988 with 600 students. For the last thirty years SBEC has grown in size and scope and serves an average of 1100 students in grades K-3 through twelve. The Board of Trustees is the governing body, and Dr. Bobby Moore holds a permanent seat on that board. SBEC is a member of Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), Memphis Association of Independent Schools (MAIS), Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), and Southern Baptist Association of Christian Schools (SBACS) and has dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Christian Schools (SACS). SBEC competes with thirty athletic teams in the high school and eleven teams in the elementary school. The Fine Arts Department features band, chorus, art, and drama. The academic program meets the needs of all students with both a college preparatory track and a program dedicated to students with learning disabilities. Fifty-seven percent of the school's families attend Baptist churches, but all other major denominations are represented. SBEC celebrated its thirtieth anniversary in 2003, and the school remains true to its mission, which is to equip the next generation by assisting the home and church in pursuit of a Christ-centered world and life view, achieved through the highest quality, Biblically-based academic and co-academic instruction. In 2004, due to ever increasing applications for enrollment, a Feasibility Study was undertaken to determine whether the school should pursue a building campaign for additional classrooms and a new gym. The Study showed there was overwhelming support for the new buildings. SBEC Groundbreaking Ceremony - 2005 
On May 5, the day set aside as the National Day of Prayer, SBEC marked the ground breaking for its new classroom addition. Plans also call for a new college-size, fully equipped gymnasium. Further, the band room is to be expanded due to the large number of students participating in the band program. Work began in June on the classrooms with completion expected during the 2005 fall semester. Overall enrollment in the 2004-2005 academic year rose 8.95 % from the prior year to 1,156 students. The additional classrooms are needed to accept all qualified students. At the ground breaking ceremony, SBEC class presidents, representatives of the school board, administration, alumni, faculty, donors and pastors of the students were present. Also in attendance were Paul Young (President Emeritus), Mayor Greg Davis of Southaven and Chris Woods of Chris Woods Construction Company, Inc. (project contractor) who also assisted in the groundbreaking for the addition.
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SBEC (Southern Baptist Educational Center) • 7400 Getwell Road • Southaven, MS 38672 • (662) 349-3096
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