Our History

Over five decades have passed since Valwood's founders faced a momentous decision to start a premier, quality college preparatory school. The idea was the brainchild of Valdosta attorney Henry Turner Brice, Jr. Leading the search committee for the first headmaster was John McTier. Ferrell Singleton was hired to lead the unnamed school, a hypothetical institution with no facilities. The first Board of Directors gave wise counsel for beginning this endeavor. Many families including faculty, staff, parents and administrators generously gave of their time, talents and treasure to bring to life this new school. Through sacrifice, perseverance and vision these pioneers embodied our pillars of today - academics, character and service.

Valwood School was chartered in 1968 and began classes in September of 1969 in the old Central Elementary School building formerly located on Central Avenue in downtown Valdosta. Classes were offered to students in grades 1-10. In 1970, a kindergarten section and an eleventh-grade section were added. In June 1972, Valwood School conducted its first full graduation exercise, and in the fall of 1973 moved to Gornto Road. The gymnasium/cafeteria complex completed plant construction in 1973. Preschool was added to the program in 1982, and Extended Day began in 1983. Goddard Field, Valwood’s football stadium, was named and lighted in 1989. The Gornto Campus served as Valwood’s home for 29 years.

In 1999, the Board of Directors announced the lead gift of a Capital Campaign of 45 acres of pristine, beautiful land in a pastoral setting located on Highway 41 North, two miles north of Valdosta. The Howard Dasher Company gave the land for the purpose of relocating Valwood and building a state-of-the-art school. The new campus was three times the size of the Gornto Road campus. Headmaster Scott Wilson led the plan to relocate and build the new school. Harrison Tillman, member of Valwood’s graduating class of ’74, was Chairman of the Board of Trustees for Valwood. Valwood’s dream campus became a reality when construction was completed in 2002. Occupancy began in the fall of 2002. The class of 2003 was the first class to graduate from the new campus.

Since opening in 2002 the campus has undergone a number of capital improvements including the addition of the Godwin Holmes Arts Center and Rodgers Performance Hall in 2007. The athletic facilities have also expanded with Goddard Field, a weight and conditioning facility, the Hathcock Tennis Center, Hollis Field, Browning Field with a baseball and softball hitting facility, and the Scruggs Track and Field complex.

Valwood celebrated 50 years of academic excellence during the 2017-2018 school year. To commemorate this momentous occasion, the school celebrated with activities each month (August - May). The school community created and buried a time capsule in Dasher Quadrangle. The 50th year also saw Valwood's first published book in its history.

If Valwood is to provide leadership and excellence in education for youth in the 21st Century, we must anticipate change, adapt to change, and educate youth in this rapidly changing age of technology and global interdependence. In this process, our goal is to preserve the fundamental mission, values, and traditions that guided our founders. A quote from a Valwood icon Betty Googe, Upper School Dean and Senior English teacher for 30 years, says it best, “Valwood nurtures the potential of each student to grow, to love, to learn, and to achieve. Each teacher serves to facilitate that upward climb.”

The 2020-2021 school year brought tremendous uncertainty. As Valwood navigated the global COVID-19 pandemic, the school adapted and overcame many challenges and obstacles that had never been seen before. From providing synchronous and asynchronous instruction, facing challenges of virtual accessibility, to masks and mitigation on campus Valwood handled the pandemic with grace and diligence. While Valwood knew that adaptations and technology needed to be added, the pandemic brought those needs to the forefront putting them on the fast track for implementation.

As we look ahead, the strides that Valwood has made since the pandemic have allowed for a more forward thinking approach to ensuring students are college ready and beyond.