Harding Academy (Searcy, Arkansas) Explained

Harding Academy
Motto:	"High Quality Academic Education in a Christian Environment."
Headmaster:	James Gurchiek
Staff:	61
Students:	687
Location:	1529 East Park Avenue
State:	Arkansas
Zipcode:	72143
Country:	United States
Coordinates:	35.2461°N -91.72°W
Colors:	Red and white
Nickname:	Wildcats
Grades:	K-12
Athletics Conference:	Class 5A East (2024-2026)

Harding Academy is a K-12 private school in Searcy, Arkansas. It is affiliated with Harding University. Like that institution, it is associated with the Churches of Christ and named in honor of an early minister of that fellowship, James A. Harding.

Student life

Harding Academy is accredited by the National Christian School Association. Many students take Advanced Placement (AP) courses and successfully gain college credit while still enrolled in high school.

The FIRST LEGO League (Mindsweepers) team won the state championship in 2017 and 2021. The FIRST Robotics Competition team (Team 3937 Breakaway) won the 2014 Arkansas Regional and Louisiana Bayou Regional as well as the 2015 and 2017 Louisiana Bayou Regional.

Every school day the students and faculty meet for chapel followed by a 45-minute bible study period that all students grades 7-12 attend. The school also participates in various community events including hosting the Wildcat Road Mile, Micah Rine 5k, and the Breakaway 10k.

Athletics

Harding Academy's mascot is the wildcat, and the school colors are red and white.

The Harding Academy Wildcats participate in the 3A Classification and 3A Region 2 Conference as sanctioned by the Arkansas Activities Association. Boys may participate in these sports:

• Football: Harding Academy football won three consecutive state championships in 2019 and 2020 and 2021.^[1] They also won the 4A state championship in 2023. ^[2] The Wildcats won their first 3A Classification football state championship in 2012 with a 49–45 win over Glen Rose. They have previously won championships in 1976, 1977, 1983, and 2002.^[3] The junior high football team had an undefeated season in 2007. They again had an undefeated season in 2012. In 2015, the Wildcats won their 6th State Championship.
• Cross country running
• Golf
• Basketball: The boys basketball team won the 3A classification state basketball championship in 2013 and 2021. https://scorebooklive.com/arkansas/2021/03/19/all-happiness-harding-academy-wipes-away-late-9-point-deficit-stuns-mayflower-for-3a-crown/
• Tennis: The boys tennis teams have won three state championships (1974, 1984, 1986).
• Baseball: After just a few seasons the baseball team won the Arkansas AAA State Championship in 2008, the first time the school has won a state title in baseball (Bagley). They then followed with more championships in 2013, 2017, and 2018.^[4] The baseball team also won the state championship in 2021, 2022, and 2023.
• Track
• Soccer: The boys soccer team won their first state championship in 2022.

Girls may participate in these sports:

• Volleyball: The volleyball team won a state volleyball championship in 2011.
• Basketball
• Track: Won three consecutive state championships in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The team also won the state championship in 2019, 2021, and 2022.
• Cross country running: The girls cross country teams are 5-time state cross country champions (2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2011).
• Tennis: state doubles winner and overall state runners-up in 2012 ^[5]
• Softball:
• Golf
• Cheerleading
• Soccer: The girls soccer team won the state championship in 2021 2022 and 2023

Academics

Harding Academy offers AP and Honors classes. The school also requires all students (grades 7–12) to take a Bible class.

Notable alumni

• Michael Blue, investor
• Stephen Mark Brown, vocalist
• Jeb Huckeba, professional football player

References

Sources

• Anon. "Jordan Simpson." The Daily Citizen (Searcy). Online Edition. Education Section. May 31, 2008. Accessed June 1, 2008. https://archive.today/20130203184557/http://thedailycitizen.com/articles/2008/06/01/news/features/features07.txt
• Bagley, Quinton. "WILDCATS WIN!" The Daily Citizen (Searcy). Online Edition. Sports Section. May 17, 2008. Accessed May 28, 2008. (Report about H.A. the State Championship in baseball, filed from Fayetteville, AR, where the state finals were held.)

External links

• Harding Academy

Notes and References

1. Web site: Harding Academy beats Osceola to win 3A State Championship.
2. Web site: Halpern . Jeff . Arkansas high school football Class 4A state final: Harding Academy holds on after giving up big lead to Rivercrest . highschool.si.com . 19 December 2023.
3. Web site: Playoffs 2012 . Arkansas Activities Association . 30 December 2012.
4. Web site: Subscribers Only . 2008-05-28 . https://archive.today/20130203194551/http://thedailycitizen.com/articles/2008/05/18/news/sports/sports01.txt . 2013-02-03 . dead .
5. Web site: Subscribers Only . 2012-11-08 . https://archive.today/20130204212815/http://www.thedailycitizen.com/articles/2012/11/02/sports/local_sports/doc509452f8547cb052528604.txt . 2013-02-04 . dead .