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Southampton Academy (SA) achieved the distinction earlier this year of being named the Franklin-Southampton Area Chamber of Commerce’s 2024 Business of the Year.

The chamber made the formal announcement and presentation during its Annual Meeting and Silent Auction on March 18 at The Hubs Vine.

Southampton Academy Head of School Tamee Railey, who is starting her third year with the school, formally accepted the award.

“I was so incredibly honored and proud to be a Raider when I found out SA was the chamber’s 2024 Business of the Year,” she said. “We were seeing the rewards of our team’s hard work and growth internally, but were so humbled yet excited to be recognized publicly by the chamber. 

“My first thought was about the SA staff and community, because none of this would have been possible without their dedication and belief in our mission,” she said. “It really reinforced that we’re not just moving in the right direction, but also making an impact people notice and appreciate.”

Chamber Executive Director Madison Berryman noted that a special committee helps the chamber select its Business of the Year honoree.

“What stood out most about Southampton Academy in our selection process was their unwavering commitment to shaping not just students, but future leaders of our community,” she said. 

Berryman, herself, is a 2011 SA alum, and current Chamber President Brigitte Bradshaw graduated from SA in 2012.

Berryman said SA’s “dedication to academic excellence, character development and community involvement reflects the very values we strive to uplift through the chamber. 

“Southampton Academy is more than a school,” she added. “It’s a cornerstone of growth and leadership in Franklin-Southampton.”

Railey shared a brief history of SA, which noted that it is situated on 30 acres in the Shands Estates neighborhood of Courtland. The school was chartered in 1966 and enrollment began in 1969. 

“Backed by the first parents and the generosity of those who gave the land, Southampton Academy began its first school year with 149 students in grades one through seven,” the history stated. “Grades 8-12 were added one at a time, each year that followed. Kindergarten and then pre-K were added as they became relevant.”

The history noted that the school’s facilities now include classrooms for lower, middle and upper school students, a library, computer lab, a music room, science labs, a cafeteria and a multi-purpose gymnasium. Outdoors there are football, baseball, softball, soccer fields and an outdoor classroom. 

The press box, concession stand and picnic pavilion are used throughout the year, the history stated, adding that in 2020, SA opened the Dale Marks Athletics Center, which is a state-of-the-art facility with eight upper school classrooms, a science lab, auxiliary/competition gym, mezzanine exhibition space, offices, athletic training room and a new boys’ locker room. 

Highlighting what she believed helped SA stand out in 2024, Railey said that throughout the 2024 school year, SA hired many new employees with local ties.

“SA represents a true example of supporting our local economic ecosystem,” she said. 

Continuing, she said, “Focused on teacher retention and employee compensation, Southampton Academy continues to implement a salary realignment plan for all full-time classroom teachers to remain competitive and relevant in the field. 

“SA continues to develop and implement a curriculum designed to enhance innovation and leadership skills to best prepare our students for our ever-changing society,” she added. “SA provides a quality education and opportunities to serve our community through events like: blood drives, coat drives, food drives, giving trees, neighborhood trash clean up, and Hometown Heroes Recognition Night.”

She noted that SA “is thriving with students and staff members who want to come to school each day.” 

She said the school is proud to partner with Camp Community College and have students enrolled in their trade programs of welding and electricity certification areas. 

“Our students are also enrolled in various dual enrollment areas, which propels our students into college preparatory learning,” she said. “SA is committed to providing unique and rigorous educational experiences, and students can be seen engaging in a variety of activities from Colonial Day and Wax Museums to selling crafts at Econ Eddie.

“Serving students from pre-K 3-12th grade, Southampton Academy strives to educate the whole child,” she said. “Founded in 1969, SA is now graduating the great-grandchildren of our founding fathers, and the school remains a true asset to our community.” 

Southampton Academy is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools.

The school had a 2024 enrollment of 383 students and features small class sizes ranging from 11 to 18 students on average.

SA employs 66 people.