Grove Academy was a boarding school for boys established in 1785 under the control of Grove Presbyterian Church and originally located one mile N.W. Rev. James M. Sprunt, for whom James Sprunt Community College is named, was principal at the Academy from 1845-1860. In 18687, the Academy was relocated on N.C. Hwy. 50 next to the present elementary school and remained in operation until 1910.