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.

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. Through the providence of the Lord, several Board members attending a conference for the Association of Classical Christian Schools (ACCS) met Mr. Scott Taylor, who became Paideia's founding Headmaster.

Committed to a classical curriculum, a Christ-centered worldview, and an 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.

Now in our eighth year, Paideia Academy has a hundred and twenty-four students enrolled in grades K-9 for the 2011-2012 school year. Under the administration of Headmaster James A. Cowart, Paideia's facility and academic program has continued to expand. We are thankful for God's faithfulness in providing exceptional students and families, gifted staff members, and generous financial support. We look forward to adding the 10th-12th grades over the next three years, 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.