Major Changes for Central Private

The office of David Prescott, head of Central Private School, is buzzing with activity as Coach Prescott and his staff work through changes coming to the Christian school located on Centerra Court just off Gurney Road in Central.
After many years as a member of the Mississippi Association of Independent Schools, Central Private has joined the Louisiana High School Athletic Association effective July 1, 2019. Based on its enrollment, CPS will play football in District 6-1A this fall. During its first year in the LHSAA, Central Private will not be able to participate in the state playoffs.
Prescott, himself an outstanding football coach before becoming a principal, said CPS head football coach Robbie Mahfouz and his team should be able to compete successfully in the new district. District 6-1A will include Central Private, Church Academy, False River Academy, Slaughter Community Charter School, Southern Lab, and Thrive Academy. Southern Lab could provide some of CPS’s greatest challenges in the district.
Membership in the LHSAA could bring new recognition to Central Private and allow it to get better known in the Baton Rouge area.
Even more significant than Central Private’s move to the LHSAA is a plan to build a new campus for the school. With $11 million in FEMA funds, it is positioned to make a major investment in a new campus in the Central area.
Currently, the most likely spot for the new school is the corner of Joor and Gurney roads near the Sheriff’s substation.
Planning for the new facility is well underway.
The third change on the horizon is the adoption of a new mascot to replace the Rebels. At present, 20 names are under consideration.
Coach Prescott was principal at Central High School before accepting the position at Central Private School last spring. Asked why he decided to leave Central High, where he was successful and well liked, Prescott said he likes the smaller size of Central Private. “Technology is good,” he said, “but the personal relationship between the adults and students on campus is more important.”
CPS is a Christian school but not affiliated with a denomination. It holds devotions by pastors, teachers, and students. The time of worship is kid-friendly, about 20 minutes, Prescott said.
Central Private offers a dual-enrollment program with the University of Louisiana at Monroe. About 45 CPS high school students currently take colleges courses through ULM. Advanced Placement courses are also available.
The decision of Central Private School to leave the Mississippi independent school association has been discussed for years, and there were pros and cons, Prescott said.
“The MAIS has been good to Central Private and we appreciate the relationship very much,” he said. One of the biggest problems was long travel times. “Most games are at quite a distance and more often than not require students to miss classroom time. For example, on Monday, Central Private’s soccer team was in Natchez,” he said.
In the LHSAA, Central Private plans to compete in football, volleyball, cross-country, basketball, soccer, and perhaps power lifting in the winter. In the spring, sports will include baseball, softball, track, tennis, and golf, he said.
Is a football game in Wildcat Stadium between Central and Central Private in the offing? Probably not anytime in the near future, Coach Prescott laughed. The differential in school size is too great. However, he said, don’t be surprised if the two schools do compete at some point in baseball. Over the years, CPS has had many championship baseball teams.
One of the disadvantages of moving to the LHSAA is losing its long-time rival, Silliman Institute in Clinton, he said. Silliman too has reportedly considered moving to the LHSAA but has not done so.
This spring, CPS teams are competing in the MAIS for the last time. After July 1, all games will be through the LHSAA.
As to his new school, Coach Prescott said he loves it — especially the dedicated teaching staff and the demeanor, manners, and commitment of Central Private School. In addition, with all the changes coming, there is plenty to keep him busy!