Brookhaven Academy begins their 2012 school year Monday with orientation for students, followed by the first day of classes on Tuesday.

     Headmaster Julie Wright said things are buzzing on campus.

     Current enrollment is up from 480 last year to 511. The school also has 13 new staff members.

     “We have 69 new families this year, which is much more than the 30 or 40 new families we normally have,” she said. “We’ve added a new K3 and K4 class because of the enrollment increase. We’re excited about that.”

     This year is Wright’s first full year as headmaster, and she said she’s ready.

     “I’m very excited about that opportunity,” she said.

     BA has also added two new teachers for their science department that have college teaching experience.

     “We think that will enhance our science department,” she said. “We’re offering a new computer career development class in high school. We’re offering art II for the first time this year for our high school students.”

     Students in preschool will open the year with a restructured playground, and will have their own play area for the first time.

     “They have a lot of equipment that was donated by the Brookhaven Junior Auxiliary,” said Wright. “We also have a new softball facility that will be complete before the softball season is over.”

     This year for the first time every classroom from K5 through 12th grade will have smart boards, which are interactive instruction tools for classrooms.

     “For the last two years we’ve been adding smart boards until we got all our classes equipped with them,” she said. “Also all classroom teachers got new computers this year.”

     BA is also expecting some special visitors this fall.

     “We’ll be preparing for our onsite visit from the SACS (Southern Association for Colleges and Schools) and the SAIS (Southern Association for Independent Schools), as they are coming this fall for their five year on site visit,” said Wright. “We’re accredited by both and the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools.”

     The new family cookout is Monday night for new families as well as new faculty members and their families.

     Wright said important dates this year are the high school open house and Meet the Cougars Night on Aug. 7 at 6 p.m., the elementary open house on Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. and Cougar football’s opener on Aug. 17.

     Wright said there is much to look forward to.

     “We’re looking forward to a great year and we’re excited,” she said.