HISTORY OF HERITAGE CLASSICAL ACADEMY

In 1980, Emma Lee and George Beckner approached the pastor of Southlawn Baptist Church about starting a Christian school.
Mrs. Beckner had retired from teaching in the public schools and felt the Lord prompting her to provide an alternative to public education.
Southlawn Christian School began that year with 50 students.

In 1984, the school board purchased a facility located at 4003 S. Bonham and the school was renamed Bible Heritage School.
The older church building was remodeled and transformed into a functioning school building. Mrs. Beckner retired in 1991.
The school began a search for someone with a vision for Christian education to take the helm. Dennis Rawls, Mrs. Beckner’s son,
followed God’s leading and moved back to Amarillo from Arkansas to accept the position as administrator.
Even with additional remodeling under Mr. Rawls’ leadership, the need was apparent for playground space, a gym,
parking areas and a football field to allow the school’s continued growth.

The building at 4100 Republic was purchased in July 1998 and the Bonham St. campus sold.
The school was renamed Bible Heritage Christian School. The 9 acre campus was an answer to prayer with a full gym,
football field, and acreage for expansion. Additional classrooms were added to meet the needs of the student body.

Beginning in 2006, the school board did an overall school evaluation, looking ahead to the future.
Study groups were put together which consisted of parents, staff members, and board members to get input,
thoughts, ideas, and suggestions for improvements. The school board felt very confident that the resulting changes
were necessary to educate students for the 21^st century and the challenges presented in our modern society.

In the spring of 2007, the school board voted to implement a campaign to pay off the current building debt of $45,000,
begin a school-wide classical Christian curriculum and change the school name to Heritage Classical Academy.

We will begin our 28^th year in the Amarillo community with a bright future ahead of us.
We have a multi-million dollar facility that is debt-free and over 250 students and 30 staff members.
Heritage Classical Academy has a very proud past and a very clear vision of where we are going.
We are here to make a difference in students’ and families’ lives.