Summer Recap
A Season of Growth, Preparation, and Faithfulness
The summer months have been filled with meaningful progress across The King’s Academy. From enrollment growth and expanded academic opportunities to campus improvements and new student experiences, each step reflects our commitment to ensuring every student is Known, Loved, and Equipped.
As we begin the 2026–27 school year, we invite you to explore the people, programs, and places shaping the future of TKA.
Enrollment &
Re-Enrollment
Renewed enrollment momentum is strengthening both the day and boarding programs as TKA begins the 2026–27 school year.
Re-enrollment and student retention reached 93.4%, representing our highest retention level in five years.
Total enrollment has climbed to 423 students, including 372 day students and 51 boarding students.
The boarding program experienced a 92% increase over last year, bringing students from 27 nations into daily discipleship and campus community life.
Intentional Technology. Purposeful Application.
Grounded in current research regarding student attention, relationships, and overall well-being, our approach to technology centers on intentional use and purposeful application. The goal is to foster academic excellence while supporting healthy community engagement.
Honoring Our Heritage.
Moving Into the Future.
TKA is rolling out a refined visual identity designed to create a more unified expression of the Academy across academics, athletics, spiritual formation, print, digital platforms, and campus spaces.
Brand Refinement
To honor our rich heritage while moving forward into our next century, TKA is introducing a refined visual identity designed to unify our academic, athletic, and spiritual footprint.
New Logos & School Shield
Updated branding introduces a modernized school shield, refined primary and secondary marks, updated typography, and cohesive athletics logos across digital platforms, print, and campus signage.
Building a More Connected Student Experience
Several strategic priorities are moving from planning into implementation, strengthening academic continuity, student formation, real-world learning, and opportunities across campus.
PreK3–12 Vertical Curricular Alignment
Cohesive Academic PathwayWe are strengthening vertical alignment across all grade levels, from PreK3 through 12th grade, to provide seamless transitions between divisions, consistent academic standards, and a unified Christ-centered worldview as students progress through TKA.
Middle & Upper School Schedule
Hybrid Block ScheduleLaunching in Grades 6–12, the schedule introduces extended instructional blocks designed to facilitate deeper laboratory work, writing workshops, collaborative projects, and Socratic discussion while maintaining weekly instructional consistency.
Weekly Community TimeEvery week includes a protected schedule window dedicated to student formation, mentoring, chapel, and House activities.
Teaching for Transformation
Campus-Wide ImplementationTeaching for Transformation moves into implementation across every division. Guided by our CACE School Designer and Spiritual Formation Director Blake Fuller, teachers are being equipped to integrate a biblical worldview directly into all academic disciplines.
Expanded STEM & Learning Spaces
Greenhouse ReconstructionThe campus greenhouse project is complete and will be operational for hands-on learning.
Course & Program ExpansionSTEM offerings now feature Middle School Robotics, AP Environmental Science, and expanded cross-curricular labs utilizing the J.T. Shen Science Center.
House System & Student Life
Vertical IntegrationThe House System connects students across Middle and Upper School grades through mentorship, service projects, leadership development, and friendly inter-house competition.
Spiritual Formation FocusBuilding on 29 professions of faith from the past year, the annual chapel theme transitions to Loved, based on 1 John 4:19. Student leadership also expands through the Dream Team across worship, hospitality, media, and prayer ministry.
Real-World Learning & Catalyst
Multi-Track DesignInitial Catalyst tracks include Entrepreneurship and Apologetics, giving students opportunities to explore business, innovation, financial stewardship, and the thoughtful articulation of their faith.
Expanded Academic PathwaysTKA is introducing AP World History and a new Dual Enrollment partnership with Carson-Newman University.
“We love because he first loved us.”
The annual chapel theme moves to Loved, rooted in 1 John 4:19 and the truth that students who know they are loved by God in Christ are equipped to love God and others.
Growing Beyond the Classroom
Athletics and Fine Arts continue to expand opportunities for students to compete, create, collaborate, lead, and develop their gifts.
Competition, Growth & Alignment
This fall, TKA expands its offerings with the addition of a Girls Soccer team.
Varsity Football returns this fall as TKA enters its 98th competitive season.
Athletics leadership continues strengthening culture, communication, and player-development standards from Middle School through Upper School.
Building a Stronger Arts Pathway
Community feedback continues to shape priorities across visual and performing arts.
Ms. Puczek joins TKA in Upper School Spanish and Middle/Upper School Band, bringing more than 16 years of educational experience.
A Sevier County native and 2026 Tennessee Tech graduate, Ms. Huddleston joins TKA to lead visual arts.
Strengthening the Places Students Learn, Gather & Grow
Summer work extended well beyond routine maintenance, with improvements addressing student life, aesthetics, infrastructure, safety, and long-term campus use.
New Fire Escape Installed at Schubert Dorm
One of the most significant summer infrastructure projects is taking shape at Schubert Dorm.
A new exterior fire escape has been installed on the rear of the residence hall, strengthening emergency egress and adding another important layer to TKA’s ongoing investment in boarding-student safety.
The project is especially significant as the Academy’s boarding program continues to grow. This year’s boarding enrollment represents a 92% increase over last year, making investments in residential facilities and safety infrastructure an increasingly important part of preparing campus for the future.
Schubert Dorm · Summer 2026
Fresh Spaces for a New School Year
Summer improvements were visible inside campus buildings as well, with refreshed classrooms, hallways, flooring, paint, and gathering spaces helping prepare the Academy for the return of students.
The work reflects a broader effort to care well for the historic campus while creating spaces that are functional, welcoming, and ready to support the next generation of TKA students.
Academic Buildings, Woody Auditorium & Dorm Exteriors
Work included revitalization of building exteriors, fresh interior paint, carpet cleaning, banner and signage updates, and campus landscaping enhancements.
Land clearing around surrounding buildings also addressed operational and safety concerns.
Atchley Building & Dr. Walter Grubb Student Recreation Center
Made possible through a generous designated gift from two related families, Phase I renovations to the Atchley Building are transforming the space into a modern student-life hub.
Plans include a student recreation area, school store, campus coffee shop, office, and conference room.
Former Pool Area Reimagined
The former pool area is being converted into a vibrant outdoor commons featuring turf, an operational concession stand and restrooms, and an outdoor lounge and gaming area for students.
Construction will continue throughout the fall semester, with additional updates to be shared as a firm completion timeline is finalized.
Stokely Gymnasium & Lower School
The Stokely Gymnasium floor has been fully refinished, while renovations to the Ogle Hall lobby and main hallway are complete.
Investing in a Safe, Healthy Campus
Continued investment in personnel, health services, physical infrastructure, and access-control systems strengthens TKA’s ability to care for students throughout the school day and beyond.
Increased Security Coverage
In addition to our full-time Director of Safety and Security during the school day, TKA is adding dedicated afternoon and evening security coverage for late-day activities, campus events, and boarding life.
Dedicated School Nurse
Our full-time school nurse continues providing essential health services, emergency-response readiness, and daily care to support a healthy learning environment.
Infrastructure & Access
Major electrical infrastructure upgrades were completed through TKA’s acceptance into the TVA Energy Right School Uplift Program. Access-control systems and physical security upgrades have also expanded across campus buildings.
Known. Loved. Equipped.
Each of these initiatives points toward the same purpose: creating an environment where students are known personally, loved deeply, challenged academically, formed spiritually, and equipped for what God calls them to next.
