Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy (dba The King’s Academy)
Harrison-Chilhowee Baptist Academy celebrates 138 years as a distinctively Christian
school. For the past 24 years, Tennessee Baptist’s accredited Christian boarding and day school
has operated as The King’s Academy. During this recent period enrollment increased 400% and
the school budget grew to $6 million. International students are the academy’s most distinctive
feature—over 1,000 students from 98 nations enrolled since 1935; an average of 14 countries
are represented in the academy student body each year.
Of great concern, TBC’s Cooperative Program’s portion of the school budget declined
during this same period from 35% of the school budget to less than 6%, and is projected to
continue to drop precipitously in the next two years. The academy strives to address these
financial challenges with a more aggressive development program and increases in student
fees. Given the socio-economic demographics of academy families, increases in fees translate
into enrollment declines.
Nevertheless, the academy remains focused on its VISION – Transformed Lives,
Empowered by Christ-like Character, Pursuing Academic Excellence and Lifelong Service – and
committed to its MISSION: The King’s Academy inspires and equips students of all cultural
backgrounds to fulfill their God-given potential in a nurturing, college preparatory community.
In June 2018 Board of Trustees Chair Dr. D. Carter Davis announced Matthew Mercer of
Powell, Tennessee, as the academy’s new President/Headmaster. Mercer took the helm as Dr.
Walter Grubb retired following 24 years in that leadership role and 7 years prior to that as
principal. Mr. Mercer believes the Lord sovereignly guided his family to TKA, and is very excited
about leading a school that has such a rich history. Mercer served as Headmaster at First
Baptist Academy, a day school ministry of First Baptist Church of Powell, Tennessee. Previously
he was an administrator at Grace Christian Academy, a day school ministry of Grace Baptist
Church of Knoxville. Mercer has also coached basketball extensively in the Knoxville area.
Other highlights of the 2017-2018 school year include:
- In August, 1500 visitors enjoyed a total solar eclipse event on campus.
- Dr. Randall O’Brien, President of Carson-Newman University, delivered the 2018
Commencement Address; Rev. Dominique Lee, Pastor of Hope Fellowship, Knoxville,
was the featured Baccalaureate Speaker.
- Les Greer was named Athletic Director and Head Football Coach.
- Rising Seniors Maddie Webber and Regan Weekly were named All-American softball
players for the second consecutive year.
- Thanks to the generosity of the Brandes and Klepacki families of Florida and Tennessee,
the new Brandes Family Dining Room opened in November 2017.
- Pastor Kenny Rains and First Baptist Church of Oliver Springs launched a unique
partnership with TKA, funding new language arts curricula for elementary grades.
- Chaplain Nick Swarthout announces seven students accepted Christ. He baptized a
student from Brazil in the Atlantic Ocean during a dorm retreat at Myrtle Beach, SC, and
another Brazilian student at Grace Baptist Church in Seymour. This spring, a recent
Taiwanese graduate visited campus to share that she was baptized at Mt. Harmony
Baptist Church in Knoxville.
It is a distinct privilege for the academy family to partner with and serve alongside Tennessee
Baptists in the mission of Christian education.