The IRS did not confer non-profit status to Brookhaven Academy Educational Foundation until 1983.[3][4][5] In 1988, Black students walked out of nearby Brookhaven High School in protest when that school hired a coach from Brookhaven Academy, which was considered a grievous racial provocation.[6] During the 2015-16 school year, Brookhaven Academy enrolled a single black child.[1] In 2018, the school received attention when it was revealed that U.S. senatorial candidate Cindy Hyde-Smith sent her daughter to this school.[6][7]
Surrounding Lincoln County was about 82% white, 16% Black, and 2% Hispanic.[9]
Sports
Brookhaven plays football in the MAIS 4A league.[10]
Other boys' sports are archery, baseball, basketball, golf, soccer, and tennis. Girls' sports offered are archery, basketball, cheerleading, softball, soccer and tennis.[11]
^ abPittman, Ashton. "Hyde-Smith Attended All-White 'Seg Academy' to Avoid Integration". Retrieved November 24, 2018. There's "no doubt that's why those schools were set up," said former U.S. Rep Ronnie Shows, a Democrat who was Hyde's junior high basketball coach at Lawrence County Academy in the 1970s.
^Campbell, Donna (May 9, 2017). "Governor to speak at BA graduation". The Daily Leader. Retrieved November 24, 2018. Anna-Michael Smith is one of 34 graduates who will be receiving diplomas in John R. Gray Gymnasium at BA Friday. The ceremony begins at 7 p.m. and it is open to the public. Smith is the daughter of Mike Smith and Cindy Hyde-Smith, of Brookhaven. Her mom is the commissioner of agriculture and commerce for the state. The Smiths also raise cattle, which makes Anna-Michael a fifth generation farmer.
