The O'Neal School is now taking enrollment applications for 2009-2010.

An open house for families will be held Sunday, Jan. 25, from 2 to 4 p.m. Families can meet at Bradshaw Hall, and guides will provide a tour of the campus. Teachers, staff members, and volunteer parents will be on hand to answer questions. All new students are tested as a part of the admissions process. The admissions testing date is Feb. 28.

Located in Southern Pines, O'Neal is an independent college preparatory school that, over a span of 37 years, has grown from serving 35 fourth-through sixth-graders in four mobile units to a 40-acre campus of five state-of-the art buildings serving almost 450 students from pre-kindergarten through 12th grade.

O'Neal is a member of the National Association for Independent Schools and is also a Core Knowledge National Visitation Site, following the Core Knowledge curriculum for students pre-K through 8th grade. The school has dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS). O'Neal adheres to an honor code that is governed by an honor council comprised of students.

In 2008, O'Neal had its second Morehead-Cain Scholar, Jessica Gregory. All of its seniors graduate and are accepted by colleges and universities throughout the nation. The 38 seniors in the class of 2008 amassed over $1 million in college scholarships.

With the retirement of Headmaster John Neiswender, O'Neal will welcome Alan Barr as headmaster in July 2009. Barr has been Head of School at Trinity School of Midland, Texas, for the past three years. Previously, he spent 13 years at Kenston Forest School in Blackstone, Va., where he served as teacher, upper school director and eventually as headmaster. Barr has demonstrated great passion and success in creating an academically challenging environment, preparing well-rounded students for the demands of the future. Barr holds a master's degree in educational leadership. He and his wife, Kelly, have a son, Spencer, age 9, and a daughter, Carter, age 6.

McMurray Hall Lower School celebrates its first anniversary in January. Housing students from pre-K to fourth grade, the new building has well-equipped classrooms, in addition to a science laboratory outfitted with learning tools for younger students.

Scheduled to open in March is the new Activities Center with a theater, second gymnasium, fitness center and classrooms.

O'Neal draws students from all over the Sandhills area. Transportation services to and from campus are available to most students residing in and outside of Moore County.

Currently, 22 percent of the student body receives financial aid. In addition to financial aid, three different competitive scholarships are awarded to rising ninth-graders each year. Two of the scholarships require applicants who are not current O'Neal students.

For more information about enrollment in The O'Neal School, call Alice Droppers, director of admissions at (910) 692-6920 or visit www.onealschool.org.