# Indian Springs School

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Not to be confused with [Indian Springs High School](/source/Indian_Springs_High_School).

School in Indian Springs, Alabama, United States

Indian Springs School Location 190 Woodward Drive Indian Springs, Alabama 35124 United States 33°20′27″N 86°46′17″W / 33.3409°N 86.7715°W / 33.3409; -86.7715 Information Type Private, boarding and day, secondary school Motto Discere Vivendo (Learning Through Living) Established 1952 (74 years ago) (1952) CEEB code 011440 Head of school Scott Schamberger Teaching staff 38 Grades 8–12[1] Gender Coeducational Enrollment 324[1] (2022-2023) Student to teacher ratio 8:1[1] Campus 350 acres (140 ha) with an 11-acre (4.5 ha) lake Colors Maroon and grey Athletics Boys' and girls' cross country, basketball, bowling, tennis, and soccer Boys' baseball and golf Girls' volleyball and softball Nickname Springs Accreditation AdvancED, NCA CASI, NWAC, SACS CASI Newspaper Woodward Post Yearbook Khalas Website www.indiansprings.org

**Indian Springs School** is a rural [private school](/source/Private_school) for grades eight through twelve, near [Birmingham, Alabama](/source/Birmingham%2C_Alabama), United States. It has both [boarding](/source/Boarding_school) and [day](/source/Day_school) students, and is located in [Indian Springs Village](/source/Indian_Springs_Village%2C_Alabama), [Shelby County](/source/Shelby_County%2C_Alabama), [Alabama](/source/Alabama).

## History

Indian Springs School was founded in 1952, endowed by [Birmingham](/source/Birmingham%2C_Alabama) businessman Harvey G. Woodward, an alumnus of [MIT](/source/MIT). He died in 1930 and, in his [will](/source/Will_(law)), bequeathed the funds and instructions for creating the school. Woodward stipulated that the school could admit only [Christian](/source/Religious_segregation), [white](/source/Racial_segregation) [boys](/source/Sex_segregation), at a time when racial segregation was statewide in public facilities.[2] He instructed that the school should use a [holistic](/source/Holistic) approach to learning (the school's motto is "*Discere Vivendo*", or "Learning through Living").

During its first years, the school was based on a working farm, where students carried out all the work needed, in addition to other studies. This element was soon eliminated. Indian Springs opened in 1952 with ten staff members and sixty students. The first director of the school was Louis "Doc" Armstrong. He made several changes to Woodward's original plans for the school. He developed a curriculum as a [preparatory](/source/University-preparatory_school) school and opened admissions to [Jewish boys](/source/Jews).

When the school was founded, most private and public facilities were segregated in Alabama. The restrictions on enrollment were sequentially abolished by 1976, both by actions of the first director and to comply with the Supreme Court ruling and later federal civil rights legislation in 1964.[2]

## Campus

Indian Springs School's campus is on 350 acres (140 ha) in northern Shelby County, 15 miles (24 km) south of downtown Birmingham. Through the 1970s, the school was remote and surrounded by the woodlands of its campus, in addition to [Oak Mountain State Park](/source/Oak_Mountain_State_Park) abutting its southern boundary. In the late 1970s, facing increasing debts and possible bankruptcy because of decreased enrollment, the school sold hundreds of acres surrounding the campus.

Instruction takes place in seven academic buildings, which house 23 classrooms, a science center, a concert hall, a theater, a student lounge, a college center, a technology lab, a 19,000-volume library, and special studios for chorus, art, photography, and drama. The athletic facilities include two gymnasiums, with two basketball courts, two volleyball courts, and two weight rooms. The campus has six tennis courts, a competition soccer field, a baseball field, a softball field, a cross country track, and a practice field/track. A new organic orchard, Fertile Minds, complements the greenhouse in producing food for the students. In 2006, new dorms for both boys and girls were opened.

For school year 2022–2023, the tuition per year is $27,300 for day students, $50,400 for Alabama resident boarding students, $56,500 for non-Alabama domestic boarding students, and $63,200 for international boarding students. There are annual bus and meal plan fees that are not included. Tuition fluctuates yearly.[3]

## Sexual misconduct allegations

In 2019, after an internal investigation by a third party, Indian Springs released a report accusing former faculty members of sexual misconduct.[4][5][6]

## Enrollment numbers

For the 2022–2023 school year:[1]

- Total students: 324

- Day students: 242

- Boarding students: 82

- States represented: 9

- Countries represented: 11

- Faculty: 38

- Student-Teacher ratio: 8 to 1

The demographic breakdown of the 323 students enrolled in 2021-2022 was:[7]

- White: 63.2%

- Asian: 24.5%

- Black: 4.4%

- Hispanic: 3.7%

- Multiracial: 2.5%

## Representation in other media

- Young adult author [John Green](/source/John_Green)'s debut novel, *[Looking for Alaska](/source/Looking_for_Alaska)*, is set at a school based on his attendance at Indian Springs School in 1995.[8]

## Notable people

### Alumni

Notable alumni[9] include:

- [Daniel Alarcón](/source/Daniel_Alarc%C3%B3n), author[10][11]

- [Katrina Armstrong](/source/Katrina_Armstrong), dean of health sciences and former interim president of [Columbia University](/source/Columbia_University)

- [John Badham](/source/John_Badham), director[10][12]

- [Howard Cruse](/source/Howard_Cruse), cartoonist[13][14]

- [Hanelle Culpepper](/source/Hanelle_Culpepper), filmmaker; the first woman and the first African American to direct the first ([pilot](/source/Television_pilot)) episode of any *[Star Trek](/source/Star_Trek)* series.[15][16]

- [Mark Gitenstein](/source/Mark_Gitenstein), American diplomat

- [John Green](/source/John_Green), young-adult author and YouTuber[10][17]

- [Sarah Urist Green](/source/Sarah_Urist_Green), creator and host of the [PBS](/source/PBS) program *[The Art Assignment](/source/The_Art_Assignment)*[18]

- [Ken Grimwood](/source/Ken_Grimwood), author[*[citation needed](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Citation_needed)*]

- [Preston Haskell](/source/Preston_Haskell), design-build construction executive in Jacksonville, Florida, and part-owner of the NFL [Jacksonville Jaguars](/source/Jacksonville_Jaguars)

- [Perry Lentz](/source/Perry_Lentz), author and professor emeritus at [Kenyon College](/source/Kenyon_College)[19]

- [Elaine Luria](/source/Elaine_Luria), member of the [U.S. House of Representatives](/source/U.S._House_of_Representatives) from [Virginia](/source/Virginia)'s [2nd district](/source/Virginia's_2nd_congressional_district)[20][21]

- [Michael McCullers](/source/Michael_McCullers), film director and screenwriter[12]

- [David Y. Oh](/source/David_Y._Oh), lead flight director for Mars [*Curiosity*](/source/Curiosity_(rover)) rover and project systems engineer for NASA [Psyche](/source/Psyche_(spacecraft)) mission[22]

- [Tito Perdue](/source/Tito_Perdue), novelist and author of [*Lee*](/source/Lee_(novel))[23]

- [Charles I. Plosser](/source/Charles_I._Plosser), president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia[10]

- [Mona Singh](/source/Mona_Singh_(scientist)), professor at [Princeton University](/source/Princeton_University)[9]

- [Clark Robert Smith](/source/Clark_Robert_Smith), wine industry pioneer[24]

### Faculty

- [Hugh Thomas](/source/Hugh_Thomas_(choral_conductor)), choral conductor[25][26]

## Notes

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-indian_springs_about_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-indian_springs_about_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-indian_springs_about_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-indian_springs_about_1-3) ["Welcome to Indian Springs School!"](https://www.indiansprings.org/about). Retrieved July 29, 2022.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-jones_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-jones_2-1) ["Where There's a Will: The Story of Indian Springs School"](http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa4113/is_200507/ai_n14779024) by Pam Jones, *[Alabama Heritage Magazine](/source/Alabama_Heritage_Magazine),* Number 77, Summer 2005, 26-33.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** ["Learn about the costs for attending Indian Springs School"](https://www.indiansprings.org/admission/tuition-and-financial-aid).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-4)** Remkus, Ashley (June 19, 2019). ["5 former Alabama private school employees accused of sexual misconduct"](https://www.al.com/news/2019/06/5-former-alabama-private-school-employees-accused-of-sexual-misconduct.html). *al.com*. Retrieved June 19, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** Robert Sherman, Phil Pinarski (June 19, 2019). ["Indian Springs School finds sexual abuse evidence of 5 educators"](https://www.cbs42.com/news/local/indian-springs-school-finds-sexual-abuse-evidence-of-5-educators/). Retrieved June 20, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** Seale, Michael (June 19, 2019). ["Indian Springs releases report on sexual misconduct investigation"](https://patch.com/alabama/pelham-al/indian-springs-releases-report-sexual-misconduct-investigation). *Patch.com*. Retrieved June 19, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-niche_-_students_7-0)** ["Indian Springs School Students - Niche"](https://www.niche.com/k12/indian-springs-school-indian-springs-al/students/). Retrieved July 29, 2022.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** ["Looking for Alaska at My High School"](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdjmNPlePVE) by John Green, Uploaded on August 6, 2010. Quote: The school in my novel is "almost inch for inch the same place as Indian Springs School was in 1995."

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-alumni_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-alumni_9-1) ["Springs imaginations have built companies, penned books, and saved lives"](https://www.indiansprings.org/notable-alumni).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-springs_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-springs_10-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-springs_10-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-springs_10-3) [Indian Springs School shines as 'The Fault in Our Stars' reaches meteoric levels](https://www.al.com/entertainment/2014/06/indian_springs_school_proud_of.html) al.com, June 10, 2014. Quote: "Green is only one of a number of notable Springs alumni; others include fellow author Daniel Alarcon, director John Badham, Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia CEO and president Charles Plosser, Continental Bakery owner Carole Griffin, *Game of Thrones* TV show writer David Hill, Russell Lands chairman and CEO Ben Russell and many more."

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** [Daniel Alarcón '95 Named 2015 Outstanding Alum](https://www.indiansprings.org/news-detail?pk=787157) indiansprings.org, June 4, 2015

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-harvey_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-harvey_12-1) [Directors John Badham, Michael McCullers will attend Indian Springs School event in Birmingham](https://www.al.com/aharvey/2010/07/directors_john_badham_michael.html) Harvey, Alec, al.com, July 29, 2010.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Cooke, John B. (Spring 2016) "Finding the Muse of the Man Called Cruse". *Comic Book Creator* No. 12, p. 32-39

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Cruse, Howard (April 25, 2011) "[Book Promotion Time](http://www.howardcruse.com/loosecruse/?p=647) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210505015448/http://www.howardcruse.com/loosecruse/?p=647) 2021-05-05 at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)" *Loose Cruse* weblog - accessed June 28, 2019

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Cook, Sarah (Summer 2017). ["Hanelle Culpepper Meier '88: From School Plays to Hollywood Productions"](https://issuu.com/indianspringsschool/docs/summer_2017_magazine). *Indian Springs, A Magazine for Alumni and Friends of Indian Springs School*. **15** (2). Indian Springs, Alabama: Indian Springs School: 49.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-16)** Boucher, Geoff (March 1, 2019). ["'Star Trek': Hanelle Culpepper Will Direct Picard Pilot, First Woman To Launch Starfleet Series"](https://deadline.com/2019/03/star-trek-hanelle-culpepper-will-direct-picard-pilot-1202568013/). *Deadline*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Talbot, Margaret (June 2, 2014). ["The Teen Whisperer"](https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/06/09/the-teen-whisperer). *The New Yorker*.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Countdown to Bliss"](https://observer.com/2005/11/countdown-to-bliss-45/). *observer.com*. November 7, 2005. Retrieved June 26, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** ["Alum Awards at Indian Springs School | Birmingham, AL"](https://indiansprings.myschoolapp.com/page/outstanding-alum-awards?siteId=1207&ssl=1). *indiansprings.myschoolapp.com*. Retrieved August 7, 2023.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** ["Another way to serve: After 20 years in Navy, Elaine Luria running for Congress"](http://www.sjlmag.com/2018/03/another-way-to-serve-after-20-years-in.html) [Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20181107185547/http://www.sjlmag.com/2018/03/another-way-to-serve-after-20-years-in.html) November 7, 2018, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine) *Southern Jewish Life*, March 7, 2018.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** [""Mountain Brook native Elaine Luria wins Virginia Congressional seat""](https://www.al.com/news/birmingham/2018/11/mountain-brook-native-elaine-luria-wins-virginia-congressional-seat.html). al.com. November 7, 2018. Retrieved February 16, 2019.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-22)** ["KMars rover flight director says Indian Springs School helped launch career"](https://www.al.com/spotnews/2012/08/mars_rover_flight_director_say.html). AL.com, Advance Local Media LLC. August 21, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** "About the Author," Reuben (Brent, AL: Standard American, 2022).

1. **[^](#cite_ref-24)** ["Wine rebel teaches classes at alma mater Indian Springs School | al.com"](http://blog.al.com/businessnews/2009/10/wine_rebel_teaches_classes_at.html). Blog.al.com. Retrieved September 28, 2012.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-25)** ["BSC Press Release"](https://web.archive.org/web/20160303234101/http://www.bsc.edu/communications/news/2002/20020725_thomas.htm). *bsc.edu*. Archived from [the original](http://www.bsc.edu/communications/news/2002/20020725_thomas.htm) on March 3, 2016. Retrieved October 3, 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-26)** ["ISS Magazine - Spring 2012"](http://issuu.com/indianspringsschool/docs/iss_magazine_spring_2012/13). *issuu.com*. Retrieved October 3, 2016.

## External links

- [United States portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:United_States)
- [Schools portal](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portal:Schools)

- Media related to [Indian Springs School](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Indian_Springs_School) at Wikimedia Commons

- [Indian Springs School's official site](http://www.indiansprings.org/)

- [Springs Survivors’ official site](http://www.indianspringssurvivors.org/)

- [National Association of Independent Schools](https://www.nais.org/)

[Archived](https://web.archive.org/web/20210415125501/https://www.nais.org/) April 15, 2021, at the [Wayback Machine](/source/Wayback_Machine)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Indian Springs School](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Springs_School) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_Springs_School?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.