The Centre College Academy, also known as Centre Prep, was located in Danville, and provided classical secondary education for boys from 1820 to 1918. In an era that lacked a real system of schools leading from elementary to secondary to higher education, colleges often established preparatory schools to ensure a supply of well-prepared students. Prep began when Mr. Maury's grammar school was housed in Centre's first building. Prep ended when circumstances changed: Kentucky improved public secondary schools; Danville viewed Prep as an obstacle to a public high school; and Centre College decided to concentrate solely on collegiate education. After Danville bought Prep's building and hired Prep's principal, Centre closed Prep in 1918.

Source: Nystrom, Bradley. "The Centre College Academy" (unpublished manuscript)