History
In 2001, God brought together two families who had both been exposed to the fruit of a classical Christian education and wanted to provide such a school for their own children. After their initial search for others interested in joining them in this endeavor, a group of six men began meeting regularly for prayer and further study. From this group, the founding School Board was formed: Randy Sadler, Chairman; Casey Coykendall, Vice-Chairman; Charles Clapp, Secretary; and Jim Norris, Treasurer.
By 2004, a small but faithful group of interested families had raised enough support to open Kindergarten through Fifth Grades for the 2004-05 school year. Mr. Scott Taylor was hired at this time to serve as the founding headmaster. He came to Knoxville from Richmond, Virginia, where he served for four years as the founding headmaster at Veritas Classical Christian School. Before being called into Christian education leadership, he served as a pastor for eight years.
Committed to a classical curriculum, a Christ-centered worldview, and a university schedule, Paideia Academy opened its doors in the fall of 2004 with twenty students and three teachers. For the first year and a half, classes were conducted at First Cumberland Presbyterian Church. In January 2006, Paideia Academy relocated to its current campus on Yarnell Road in west Knox County.
In 2008, Chris Bessler, Travis Morin, and Paul Platillero joined the Board. Bessler was appointed to the office of Treasurer, as Jim Norris stepped down from the Board at this time.
Now in our fifth year, Paideia Academy has seventy-two students in Grades K-6. We are thankful to God's faithfulness in providing exceptional students and families, gifted staff members, and generous financial support. We look forward to adding the upper grades in the future, as well as further development of our fine arts program, competitive sports teams, and additional activities to complement our challenging classical education founded upon a biblical worldview.