Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Beard.
Hi Mary, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was moving back to my hometown of Lebanon in 1992 and looking for a house. Edna Bennett was selling her house which had a school in the basement. I felt like I couldn’t pass up this opportunity . The school had a long waiting list and after 6 years in the house, I was strongly encouraged to move to a larger space. I could see clearly from the demand that there was a strong need for a good school. The school opened in 1998 on the new location. It sits on 4 acres in Lebanon’s Historic district with the Public Library and Cumberland University being great neighbors.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Like anyone that owns a business, trials are always a part of the journey. After teaching 10 years in public schools before I purchased the school, I have strong opinions on my philosophy of education. I stand firm on my beliefs as the pendulum swings back and forth on educational theories. I believe education should be developmentally appropriate with the freedom to explore
with hands on experiences. You will not see constant testing as we evaluate data analysis in a more appropriate way. I find that our students and teachers are less stressed in an environment that allows more learning to occur. We discourage a lot of screen time both at home and school. We build academic excellence on a firm foundation, and the results speak for themselves.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Cedars Preparatory Academy?
We provide a safe, secure learning environment that lays the foundation for academic achievement. All children require a safe learning environment with controlled boundaries in order to grow, learn and flourish. We work with a great amount of determination to make this happen. In the planning stages of building this school on this location, it was important that when a child walked through the front door it felt more like a home than a school. We work as a team with parents to encourage students to perform at their highest level. We are committed to the essential elements of nurturing and educating students through a Christian education. More importantly, they develop morally and socially into children with peaceful hearts. One of our goals is to teach them how to think not what to think.
I sometimes liken the Cedars Preparatory Academy option to riding first class on an airplane. The plane will arrive at a certain place, at a certain time, whether you ride in the front of the plane or the back. As a first class passenger, however you can expect more individualized attention in a smaller grouping, you are given more options to better your experience on the plane, your ability to leave the plane in a better condition physically and mentally are enhanced, and the people around you desire the same benefits. It is the experience that makes the difference. We believe Cedars Preparatory Academy offers a first class experience. Our parents will tell you that the financial sacrifices they have made in order to have this experience is worth it for their children.
Cedars Preparatory Academy is accredited as a Category 2 with Tennessee Department of Education with grades Pre-K -5th grade.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Cedars Preparatory Academy starts open enrollment for the 2026-2027 academic year on February 16th.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thecedarsprep.com
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/profile.php?id=100043609104865
