Jimmy Barlow, new headmaster of Central Christian Academy, believes that his school has tremendous potential.

“Central Christian Academy has a unique opportunity. It is the real school of choice (in Selma). We are proud of our diverse student body and faculty,” said Barlow, a native of McKenzie near Greenville.

“That was the prime reason I chose to come here.”

Barlow came from Warrior Academy in Eutaw where he was headmaster. He arrived in Selma on Aug. 1.

“I just think it’s going to be a great year. The parents and teachers are so enthusiastic, and I’m the most enthusiastic I’ve been in 26 years.

“We plan to emphasize academics first,

and athletics and everything else as a perk for going here,” he said. “We have an exceptional staff that has worked very hard to get ready for the new school year…. I’m just glad to be here.”

Barlow expects a good turnout when the school opens for the new year.

“We expect to open with 220 students on Monday, Aug. 16,” he said.

Actually Barlow took the job in June, he said, but asked the CCA board to allow him to work days during the month of July at Warrior Academy

to help the school to get ready for the fall, and nights and weekends in Selma.

Barlow replaces Dr. John Niblett who has joined the staff of Concordia College as a coach and a member of the development team of the college.

Barlow praises Niblett for the excellent foundation he laid at CCA.

“I want to build on what Dr. Niblett has built here and take this school to the next level,” said Barlow. “He did a great job preparing the way for me. He prepared the schedule for the coming school year, he ordered the books. It really made the transition very easy for me,” he said.

Barlow said that because he arrived so near to the beginning of the new school year that there will not be major changes immediately.

“One thing we will do, I hope before school starts, is to get our technology program completely up and running,” he said.

Barlow said he likes the city of Selma very much and plans to be active in community affairs. He was a participant

in Eutaw and has already signed on for Leadership Selma.

Barlow was educated at McKenzie High School, Auburn University and holds a master’s degree from Alabama State where he continues in the postgraduate program. He has 26 years of experience in secondary education – 20 in public education and six in private schools.

Barlow has served as principal, assistant principal, a teacher of science and social studies and a coach of football, basketball, softball and track, he said.

He taught

at Meadowview Christian School in 1981, where he taught English and math, and coached junior high basketball.

His wife Patti who is the sister of Selmian Bill Porter will continue to be employed at Stabler’s Hospital in Greenville. The Barlows belong to the Community of Christ Church which he said was a branch of the Mormons. They will be seeking a church home in the area, he said.

The Barlows have three grown children, Ashley Wild who is a librarian at Georgiana High School, Janie Barlow who is head basketball coach at Clark Prep School in Grove Hill, and Brian Ernest Barlow who is a physical therapist in Anadalusia. They have three grandchildren.