
(334) 887-1586
1512 Old Orrville Rd. Selma, AL 36701
Cognia Accredited Private School

GRADES SERVED
K-12
FOUNDED
2010
STUDENTS SERVED
1,000+
About
Ellwood Christian Academy
Ellwood Christian Academy - Ellwood Christian Academy is a private, Christ-centered school in Selma, Alabama, serving students from Pre-K through 12th grade. With a mission to prepare spiritually grounded, academically equipped, and service-oriented leaders, Ellwood combines a rigorous education with faith-based values that empower students to live with purpose and lead with integrity. Our school crest—featuring the cross and eagle—symbolizes our deep-rooted commitment to Christian principles and the limitless potential of every child.
Starting in the 2025–2026 school year, Ellwood will expand its high school experience by implementing the Build Up model—an innovative early-college, workforce development program that blends academic instruction with real-world application. Through this model, high school students will earn dual enrollment credits, gain paid internships and develop leadership and financial literacy skills that position them for college, career, and eventual homeownership. This partnership uniquely aligns with Ellwood’s mission by equipping students not only with the knowledge and skills to succeed, but also the economic and civic tools to uplift their families and communities.

Gary Crum
Executive Director

Pastor Gary Lamar Crum, Sr., a native of Selma, earned his Bachelor of Science and Master’s degrees in Education from Alabama State University, and he founded Ellwood Community Church in 1993. In 2010, he founded Ellwood Christian Academy, now West Central Alabama’s largest predominantly African-American private school. Pastor Crum has excelled as a community leader, teacher, assistant principal and principal.
In recent years, Ellwood Christian Academy has integrated the Build Up model across its school program, enriching students’ academic experience with career-connected learning, early-college coursework, and hands-on apprenticeships. Under Pastor Crum’s leadership, Ellwood continues to set a powerful example of how faith, education, and economic opportunity can transform lives and communities.