Known. Loved. Equipped.
The King’s Academy provides Christ-centered education in East Tennessee, preparing students to grow academically, spiritually, and personally within a community where they are truly known.
Since 1880
This Is The King’s Academy
A place to be known.
The King’s Academy is a Christ-centered, college-preparatory school serving students from PreK3 through 12th grade. Students from East Tennessee and around the world learn together in a community intentionally designed to help each student discover and develop his or her God-given potential.
Our size allows students to be known personally. Our breadth gives them room to explore. Our Christian mission gives purpose to everything we do, from academics and chapel to athletics, fine arts, service, leadership, and life together.
What Guides Us
Purpose in everything we do.
Our mission and vision shape the classroom, relationships, programs, expectations, and opportunities that make up life at The King’s Academy.
The King’s Academy inspires and equips students of all cultural backgrounds to fulfill their God-given potential in a nurturing, college-preparatory community.
Transformed lives, empowered by Christ-like character, pursuing academic excellence and lifelong service.
Faith
Christ at the center of learning and life.
Character
Growing Christ-like servant leaders.
Excellence
Pursuing academic and spiritual excellence in every endeavor.
Community
A family united in Christ from across the world.
Vision
Developing leaders with a Kingdom perspective.
The TKA Experience
One school.
Many ways to grow.
Learning at TKA extends beyond a single classroom. Students are encouraged to think, worship, create, compete, serve, lead, and belong.
Academics
A college-preparatory education that challenges students to think deeply, communicate clearly, and prepare well.
Spiritual Formation
Faith is not an addition to the TKA experience. It is the foundation of learning, relationships, worship, and service.
Life as a Lion
Students find opportunities to belong, lead, compete, create, serve, and build friendships that shape their school experience.
Global Community
Students from East Tennessee learn, worship, compete, and build friendships alongside classmates from around the world.
Since 1880
A legacy still being written.
The King’s Academy began with a simple conviction: young people deserved an excellent education rooted in Christian faith. What began as Boyds Creek Academy has grown into a PreK3–12 day and boarding school serving students from East Tennessee and around the world.
Names, buildings, programs, and generations have changed. The calling has remained remarkably consistent.
Explore More of the TKA Story
Early Beginnings
Educational efforts in the Boyds Creek community predated the academy through what local residents called Owl College. In 1880, families organized Boyds Creek Academy, with students formally enrolling the following year.
A Changing Name
In 1884, the school became Harrison Seminary in recognition of Harrison Ellis, who donated land to the campus. It later became Harrison-Chilhowee Institute and eventually Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy.
Christian Education
Christian principles have shaped the academy from its earliest years. Though historically connected to Baptist life, the school has welcomed students from a wide variety of backgrounds into its educational community.
Academic Preparation
In 1979, the academy became the first school in Sevier County to achieve accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. TKA continues its longstanding commitment to college-preparatory education.
A Global Community
Residential education has been part of the academy’s story since the nineteenth century. Across its history, students from more than 80 nations and most U.S. states have studied on the TKA campus.
The King’s Academy
In 1993, trustees reorganized academy operations under the Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy corporate structure. The elementary and secondary day and boarding school began doing business as The King’s Academy.
The Story Continues
The mission is still alive.
Today, TKA students learn in classrooms, worship together, compete, perform, serve, lead, and build friendships on the same campus where generations before them discovered their own place in the story.
The buildings have changed. The opportunities have grown. The world students are preparing to enter looks very different than it did in 1880.
Experience TKA
Come see it for yourself.
The best way to understand The King’s Academy is to walk the campus, meet our people, visit classrooms, and experience what it means for students to be Known, Loved, and Equipped.
