“The Laurence Manning Academy opens its doors this year with a spirit of good will towards this community and a sincere desire to contribute towards the educational process,” Q. Curtis Lee, founding Headmaster, September 1972.

In 1971, a group of Manning families formed the Manning Educational Association with the goal of creating an independent school that would provide students with a high-quality education within a safe, friendly, and morally rich, Christian environment.  Land was purchased in August of that year for what would soon become the new school’s campus.  

When selecting a name for the new school, Manning Educational Association chose to name the new school for a local and state historical figure, a common practice of new independent schools at the time. The founders chose Laurence Manning, who was not only a local Revolutionary war hero, but he was also the grandfather of Governor John Laurence Manning, for which the town of Manning, South Carolina is named. Laurence Manning and his wife, Susannah Richardson, were a part of the family that included six South Carolina governors.  

Mrs. Joseph Rogers (Kathleen) designed the school’s seal and also painted the school mascot as a mythological griffin resembling a lion with wings. However, the legend of “The Swampcat” mascot evolved from the local newspaper report of sightings and evidence of a large, mysterious, cat-like swamp creature that was preying on livestock on the farmland on which the new school would be built.  Such a fierce mascot as this was readily adopted.  Mrs. Rogers also collaborated with Mrs. Jane Wilson and Mrs. Anne Goldsmith to compose the school alma mater.  Mrs. Rogers selected the music, and Mrs. Wilson and Mrs. Goldsmith collaborated to write the lyrics.

In September of 1972, Laurence Manning Academy opened its doors with 15 classrooms, including a included a well-equipped science lab and a spacious library. LMA opened with 13 faculty members and an enrollment of approximately 250 students in grades 1-12.

The 1970s saw exciting and continued growth at Laurence Manning.  Enrollment continued increased as the academic programs and sports offerings were expanded.  Laurence Manning offered an Environmental Science course, which was a unique offering in the area at the time.  The Swampcats athletic programs began with baseball, soccer, and basketball.  Soon, the additions of football and track to the athletic offerings brought new excitement and energy to the community.  Junior Varsity sports were added in 1975 creating new level of competition and more opportunities for students. 

The school’s future was promising and the outlook was bright.  However, in 1979, the school suffered a setback when it was vandalized and burned.  It was discovered that the kindergarten room was heavily vandalized, and a fire was started in the attic.  Over $200,000 in damages were done to the structures.  Although insurance would help with losses, the LMA family and community came together through service and donations to help the school move forward.  Make-shift classrooms were created in the gymnasium and portable classrooms were utilized for students to remain class and LMA moved forward into a new decade.  As the 1970’s drew to a close, LMA was growing stronger and the best was yet to come!!