The King's Academy is a National Blue Ribbon, Christian college-preparatory preschool, elementary, and secondary school located in West Palm Beach and Clewiston, Florida. The school serves families with students from age one to twelfth grade on campuses located in Palm Beach and Hendry counties. Established in 1970, it is run by a self-perpetuating, independent board of governors.
History
The King's Academy was founded by a group of Christian business leaders in August 1970 and opened on the campus of Belvedere Baptist Church in West Palm Beach, Florida. In 1971, the school purchased a 20 acre campus on Cherry Road where it remained until the 2004 school year. In August 2005, The King's Academy moved to its current 60 acre location at Belvedere Road and Sansbury's Way in Palm Beach County, Florida. In 2010, the school opened a second high school location on Caribbean Avenue in Clewiston, Florida.
Since 1970, three presidents have overseen the day-to-day operations of the school: Kye Harris (1970-74), M. Nelson Loveland (1974-99), and Jeffrey M. Loveland (1999-present). During the same period, five chairs of the board of governors have served: M. Nelson Loveland (1970-74), Stanley F. Frederick (1974-87), Gene Martin (1987-93), David Fiebig (1993-2006), and Clyde S. Meckstroth (2006-present).
National Awards and Recognition
In 1986, the school received national recognition for excellence in education from President Ronald Reagan and U.S. Secretary of Education William Bennett as one of the top 60 private schools in the country. Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education for President Barack Obama, also named the school a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary High Performing School; one of 50 private schools to receive the honor.
In 2007, Christian school researcher Dr. Gene Frost cited the school as one of the seven best Christian schools in America in his book, Learning from the Best: Growing Greatness in the Christian School. In 2014, Dr. Frost reiterated the school's top seven national ranking.
Academic Profile
The King's Academy offers a college preparatory program for students from preschool to 12th grade. The King's Academy is fully accredited by four accrediting bodies: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, AdvancED, the Association of Christian Schools International and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The school's most recent re-accreditation study was completed in 2013 and resulted in an extension of the school's accreditation through 2018.
Secondary School
The King's Academy's secondary school educates students from 7th to 12th grade. On average, 99% of The King's Academy's graduates enter college, with 96% of graduates matriculating into a four-year university or college. Other graduates commit to service in the United States military branches. The King's Academy offers 22 Advanced Placement courses and 29 hours of dual enrollment credits in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University. In 2012 and 2013, the school's senior classes (121 and 115 graduates) received college scholarships worth $7.6 million and nearly $7.0 million, respectively.
Business Magnet Program
In 2013, the school established a business track for high school students. Business-minded students can earn a certificate of completion by taking electives in American entrepreneurship, economics, ethics, foreign language, marketing and statistics; while being a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA-PBL).
Elementary School
The King's Academy's elementary school educates students from pre-Kindergarten to 6th grade. The school's elementary students' average scores ranked in the top 15 percent of private schools nationally for 2013 and 2014 academic standardized testing; qualifying the school as a Blue Ribbon Elementary School according to the U.S. Department of Education. As a result, the school was named a 2014 National Blue Ribbon School. In addition to academic subjects, the School's elementary program provides instruction in art, band, cognitive development, Latin, music appreciation, physical education, Spanish, science laboratory, technology and vocal music. Optional after-school extracurricular activities are offered for athletic and fine arts development.
The School's elementary students compete in local, regional and state band and vocal assessments; Odyssey of the Mind; and the Palm Beach County (Florida) Science Fair. There, one student's science project was judged by Dr. Craig Layman, fellow and professor of ecology at North Carolina State University, as "one of the most influential sixth grade science projects ever conducted, demonstrating something that scientists should have done years before." Her research on the Lionfish's adaptability to fresh water was published in the scientific journal, Environmental Biology of Fishes, and was featured on CBS This Morning.
Athletics
The King's Academy's Lions athletics program competes in the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Swimming, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
As a full member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), the school fields approximately 50 boys and girls teams in 23 FHSAA-sanctioned varsity sports. In 2014, The King's Academy joined the independent Southeastern Football Conference for football only.
Athletic Championships
In 1992, The King's Academy's baseball team defeated Tallahassee Maclay for the school's first Florida state championship, and won another state title in 2001. The King's Academy volleyball team won the Florida state title in 1993, in 1994, and again in 2006. The King's Academy competitive cheerleading team won five consecutive FHSAA state championships from 2010 to 2014.
In all, varsity teams competing for The King's Academy have won 104 FHSAA district championships, 33 FHSAA regional titles, and 10 FHSAA state championships:
(*) State runner-up.
Athletic Facilities
The King's Academy's football, soccer and lacrosse teams play home games on campus at Kahlert Stadium, a lighted, natural turf facility with seating for 1,200 fans. Lion and Lady Lion volleyball and basketball teams compete in the M. Nelson Loveland Sports and Fine Arts Center's gymnasium, which houses a game court and two practice courts and has seating for 800 spectators. The School's property also contains baseball and softball fields, a track and field facility, six competition tennis courts and a USATF certified 5-K cross-country course. In 2015, the school built the Full-Page Aquatic Center, comprising a 25-meter competition swimming pool and pool house, for use by its swimming teams.
On-campus athletic training facilities include a field house with weight and athletic training rooms, a covered basketball and volleyball pavilion, a golf practice facility, and three prescription athletic turf practice fields (football, multi-purpose and lacrosse). In all, The King's Academy maintains 15 acres of natural turf fields for its athletic program.
Fine Arts
Beginning with elementary band, choir and music theory, students at The King's Academy are offered classes in the creative and performance arts. In middle and high school, students perform in Broadway-style musicals, a full dance program, His People and His Voice choirs, jazz and concert bands, percussion, symphony, broadcasting and digital arts, stagecraft, visual arts, and marching band.
Performing Arts
In April 2013, the school's students performed the world premiere of Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame (an English adaptation of the German-language musical Der Glöckner von Notre Dame). This performance was made in collaboration with Walt Disney Executive Studios. After viewing the performance, Disney executive Brian Turwilliger commented, "The story was so beautifully crafted and displayed in new and fresh ways." He explained that Disney will now offer The Hunchback of Notre Dame to be performed at other schools and amateur theaters, as it did with Beauty and the Beast after another Disney-The King's Academy collaboration in 2000 resulted in the world amateur stage premiere of the musical.
In 2015, the school's production of The Sound of Music was featured on an episode of ABC News' 20/20. Other recent stage productions have included:
Band Program
The King's Academy offers instrumental classes for elementary students starting with beginning band in 5th grade and intermediate band in 6th grade. Secondary students may choose to continue their studies in the school's concert and symphonic bands. The King's Academy also offers classes in woodwinds, percussion and strings.
Marching Lions
The school's marching band, known as the Marching Lions, is a 3-time state runner-up (2008, 2010 and 2012) in Class A at the Florida Marching Band Championships. In 2013, the Marching Lions finished 10th in the nation (Class A) at the Bands of America's Grand National Championships, held at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium. Recent performances by the Marching Lions have included:
Stryke Wynds
In 2014, the Marching Lions' directors formed an independent instrumental ensemble, Stryke Wynds, to compete in Winter Guard International's Independent Open Winds Class. In its inaugural season, the group, consisting of eight TKA students and other high school instrumentalists, was a silver medalist at the 2015 WGI Winds World Championship.
Notable Alumni
Heath Evans graduated from The King's Academy in 1997 and was a running back for 10 years in the National Football League with the New Orleans Saints, New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks, and Miami Dolphins and played college football at Auburn University. He won Super Bowl XLIV as a member of the Saints. After Heath's retirement from the NFL, he became a TV analyst for the NFL Network.
A 2007 graduate of the school, Emmanuel Lamur plays linebacker in the National Football League for the Cincinnati Bengals. He played college football at Kansas State University. His twin brother Sammuel Lamur '07 also graduated from The King's Academy, played at Kansas State and is a quarterback for the Tampa Bay Storm in the Arena Football League.
Lauren Jelencovich graduated from The King's Academy in 2003 and is a professional soprano singer. While a student at the school, she won the grand prize on Ed McMahon's Star Search television show. After studying vocal performance, opera, and musical theater at the Manhattan School of Music, she has performed around the world at venues such as Carnegie Hall and the MGM Grand Las Vegas and currently tours globally as a lead vocalist with Yanni.
A 2005 graduate of the school, Tess Soltau studied acting at Carnegie Mellon University, and is a Broadway and television actress. She plays Glinda as part of the Broadway company of Wicked and starred as Wednesday Addams in the Broadway production of The Addams Family and has appeared off-Broadway in the premiere of Sheryl Crow's The Diner, as well as in Far From Heaven and Into the Woods. She has also guest starred in recurring roles on several television shows including Law & Order: SVU (as Caroline Pereira) and White Collar (as Miranda).
Colt Morton graduated from The King's Academy in 2000 and was a Major League Baseball catcher for the San Diego Padres. He played college baseball at North Carolina State University.
A 1988 graduate of the school, Dr. Juli Slattery is a clinical psychologist and broadcast media professional. She was co-host of the nationally syndicated Focus on the Family daily radio broadcast with Jim Daly from 2010 to 2012 and is President of the non-profit organization, Authentic Intimacy. She has also authored books including Finding the Hero In Your Husband, No More Headaches, Beyond the Masquerade and Guilt Free Motherhood, and is a regular contributor to Today's Christian Woman magazine.
Gary Wallace graduated from The King's Academy in 1986, studied at the University of Central Florida and hosts a nationally syndicated morning radio show, as Wally on "The Wally Show". His show is heard on over 100 radio stations nationwide on the WAY-FM Christian radio network. Previously, Wally was the host of a nationally syndicated contemporary Christian music radio program, Total Axxess. Wally delivered the commencement address at the school's 2014 graduation ceremony.
A 2000 graduate of the school, Sgt. Philip Jones studied instrumental music at Southern Methodist University and travels globally as second baritone section leader for the United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, also known as "The Commandant's Own".
Kent Annan graduated from The King's Academy in 1990 and is a Christian missionary, author and co-founder of the educational non-profit Haiti Partners with Tony Campolo. A graduate of Princeton University, he has authored books including Following Jesus Through the Eye of the Needle and After Shock: Searching for Honest Faith When Your World is Shaken, and has been a contributor to the Huffington Post, Christianity Today, and CNN.com. He has also appeared on national TV and radio in support of Haitian relief efforts on The Hour, 100 Huntley Street, and National Public Radio's The Story.
A 2000 graduate of the school, Matthew Wensing studied humanities at the University of Chicago. A software developer, he created Stormpulse.com; a hurricane forecasting and weather intelligence tool used by Fortune 500 companies, the White House situation room, and 6.5 million private users annually. Wensing is CEO of Riskpulse, an Austin, Texas-based emerging risk management firm.
While a student at the school, Trisha Prill was named National Miss Teen 2012 and America's Miss Teen 2011. After graduating in 2013, she became a member of the Miami Dolphins Cheerleaders.
Notable Faculty
Keith Allen is a pre-engineering and mathematics teacher at the school. He also is The King's Academy's head football coach. Previously, Mr. Allen coached college football at Oklahoma, Texas Christian, San Jose State, and was head football coach at Southwest Baptist University for six seasons.
Jennifer Arrington is a science teacher at the school and holds a master's degree in nutrition and immunology from Texas A&M. Mrs. Arrington is also the author of Trusting for Tomorrow, a book about coping with celiac disease.
Jonathan Martin is a physical education and athletic training teacher at the school and holds a degree from the University of South Carolina. Mr. Martin played college football as a safety for South Carolina and played professionally for the Dallas Cowboys and in Italy. He also coached college football at the University of Kentucky.
David Snyder is the director of performing arts at the school. Mr. Snyder holds a master's degree in musical theatre from Ithaca College and performance certificate from Juilliard. Previously, Mr. Snyder performed on Broadway as resident piano accompanist and assistant music director for the Tony-nominated Cabaret, A View From the Bridge, and 1776. He was also a member of the Disney Production Team and the Broadway cast of Beauty and the Beast. Mr. Snyder has also won the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award from the National Thespian Association of Education.
Brad Wilkerson is the school's varsity baseball coach. Previously, Mr. Wilkerson was a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman with the Montreal Expos, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was named 2002 MLB Rookie of the Year by the Sporting News and won an Olympic gold medal for USA Baseball at the 2000 Sydney games. Mr. Wilkerson played college baseball at the University of Florida and was inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2012. In 2014, he was named National Volunteer Coach of the Year by USA Baseball.
Former Faculty
Linda Moskeland Fuchs, wife of University of Florida president W. Kent Fuchs, taught French, yearbook and elementary art at the school in 1977 and 1978. Mrs. Fuchs subsequently became an art historian and holds master's degrees in art history from the University of Chicago and Cornell and a master's degree in Biblical studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School.
William H. Vimont was the school's founding headmaster in 1970. Mr. Vimont coauthored the Victory Drill Book, a systematic approach to high speed phonetic reading. This book of speed reading drills was used at The King's Academy during the 1970s and 1980s and is still in print.
Jennifer Winters was a broadcasting, acting and vocal arts teacher at the school. Previously, Mrs. Winters performed on Broadway as Christine in The Phantom of the Opera and in Broadway national tours as Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Maria in West Side Story, and the Narrator in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. She also appeared on television on Seinfeld, Guiding Light, and Third Watch and was a television news anchor and reporter in Virginia Beach and Norfolk, Virginia.
Campus
The King's Academy is located on approximately 60 acres at the northeast corner of Belvedere Road and Sansbury's Way in Palm Beach County, Florida. Most of the campus was constructed in 2005 and consists of 14 buildings (Lower Elementary, Administration, Upper Elementary, High School Administration, High School Science, High School Education, M. Nelson Loveland Sports and Fine Arts, Elementary Music, Cafeteria, Media Center, Field House, Bus Garage/Maintenance, Events Center (completed in 2012), and Full-Page Aquatic Center (completed in 2015)) encompassing approximately 190,000 square feet. In 2015, the school added Studio 70, a television broadcasting facility.
Remote Locations
The school also operates The King's Academy Preschool at remote locations in Greenacres, Loxahatchee, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach, Florida; at the Church in the Palms' Community Center, Trinity West Church, Cross Community Church, and First Baptist Church of Royal Palm Beach, respectively. In 2010, the school opened a high school extension in Clewiston, Florida, on the campus of Clewiston Christian School. This campus offers Christian secondary education for students in grades 7 to 12. In 2013, this extension was fully accredited and in 2014, welcomed its first graduating class.
Online Learning
In 2010, The King's Academy established an internet-based school for middle and high school students called The King's Academy Online. The online program offers approximately 140 courses, with advanced placement courses and dual enrollment credits from Christian institutions including Indiana Wesleyan University and Taylor University.
During the 2012-13 school year, two of The King's Academy Online's students, in 6th and 8th grades respectively, completed a 67,000 mile trip to all 50 American states and five of 10 Canadian provinces while enrolled. Their accomplishment was featured on the Today show.
International Student Program
International students from Brazil, China, Great Britain, Germany, Italy, Russia, South Africa and South Korea have studied at the school. The King's Academy is licensed to accept qualified F-1 status students and employs a Director of International Learning to assist international families and students. The school has established ESL (English as a Second Language) academic support, tutoring and college counseling. The school also celebrates certain cultural holidays and offers international food options in its cafeteria.
Notable Visitors
Dan Whitney, also known as Larry the Cable Guy, attended the school in the late 1970s through 1980. His father, Tom Whitney, was the school's elementary principal. In 1987 and 1988, television host Chuck Woolery and actress Jo Ann Pflug's daughter, Melissa Woolery, attended the school. Baseball Hall of Fame member Gary Carter's children graduated from the school during the late 1990s and early 2000s. Carter also served as a third base coach for the school's softball team. Former Miami Dolphin Glenn Blackwood was a school board member and his children also graduated from The King's Academy. Blackwood served as the school's head football coach in 2001 and 2002 and as an assistant football coach from 2003 to 2006.
In 1974, radio personality Paul Harvey spoke at a benefit to raise funds for the school's new cafeteria at its Cherry Road campus. NBA center Chris Kaman's neurofeedback seminar was hosted by the school and was broadcast nationally on ESPN's Outside the Lines program in January 2008. In August 2011, Christian singer Jonny Diaz performed a concert at the school. GMA Dove Award winning songwriter Michael Neale has performed at the school several times. In 2011, filmmaker and political commentator Dinesh D'Souza visited The King's Academy's campus. In 2012, United States Representative Allen West spoke to a school assembly and answered questions from students. In 2014, United States Senator Ted Cruz of Texas spoke to the school's political science club and read Dr. Seuss' Green Eggs and Ham to the school's elementary students.
The King's Academy also hosts a visiting author series. Past speakers have included Jerry B. Jenkins, best-selling author of the Left Behind series; Josh McDowell, popular Christian apologist and author; Jerel Law, author of the Son of Angels young adult fiction series; and Bill Myers, best-selling author of the The Adventures of McGee and Me animated series and film director.
Publications
The King's Academy publishes student-produced elementary (EL) and high school (HS) yearbooks (both named The Sceptre) annually, monthly student-written newspapers (The Lion Ledger, formerly The Scroll) and semi-annual magazines (The Chronicle). During the school year, the school also issues a weekly online edition of TKA E-News.
Yearbooks
In 2014 and 2015, the school's yearbook program was named a Jostens National Yearbook Program of Excellence. Since the school's inception, its yearbooks have been as follows:
References
External links
- Official Website: The King's Academy - West Palm Beach
- Official Website: The King's Academy Preschool
- Official Website: The King's Academy Online
- Official Website: The King's Academy Athletics
- Official Website: The King's Academy Fine Arts
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