History

Women prayed for a multi-denominational Christian school in Knoxville. Margaret Dominick, one of the women, had a prayer that teachers would present God’s Word in a way that would mirror Psalm 119:103 “How sweet are Thy words to my taste, yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth.”

Group of men and women met in the Boardroom at Fort Sanders Presbyterian Hospital to formalize a charter.

Founding board members were: Robert E. Hall, John A. Jack Rice, Margaret (Mrs. Charles) Dominick, Russell French (educator), Dwayne C. Dobschuetz, Robert C. Durham, and Jerry R. Johnson.

The name “Christian Academy of Knoxville” was supposed to be temporary, however "CAK" caught the attention of everyone as the school years progressed.

Board met weekly to work on policies, school forms, personnel requirements and teacher qualifications. Corinthians 1:10 was a model for the board which sometimes kept meetings going until past midnight. Deuteronomy 6: 5-7 was the board’s concept for the heart of the Christian school movement.

CAK opens it's doors with 96 students in grades K-6. Dean Rice was the first student enrolled. Students met at Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church. 

Ernie Trebing from New Jersey was hired as the school’s first headmaster.

Enrollment grows to 159 and grades 7-8 are added.

CAK high school begins with the addition of 9th grade. Middle and high school classes met at West Hills Presbyterian.

The Development Committee finally found land for CAK’s permanent home and purchased 27 acres of land off Dutchtown Road.

CAK’s first graduation ceremony honors two seniors.

CAK’s first school facility opened, and the first two buildings overflowed even before they were completed.

CAK becomes the first school in Tennessee to gain dual accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) and the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Enrollment topped 800 and the new high school building opened. The school officially opened its own street, Academy Way.

The Campus Center with gym, stage, and administrative offices opened. The spring band concert inaugurated the use of the building. The baseball field was completed in the spring.

Pre-K program opened and new classrooms built. The school also saw the addition of a new playground, a lighted football stadium, an eight-lane track, a lighted softball field, a lighted soccer stadium and new parking lots and athletic field houses.

The middle school remodeling of the original building and addition of new classrooms was completed. This project included the building of new science rooms, computer labs, a music room, and a library.

The high school remodeled offices and added new science lab, computer lab, music room, classrooms and expanded the commons. New parking lots also added.

Six tennis courts were constructed and opened near the Campus Center.

Construction began on the new campus cafeteria. CAK's Football team claimed its first state championship.

CAK celebrated its 40th Anniversary.

In March, a worldwide global pandemic, COVID-19, reached Tennessee. Everything shut down, schools, businesses, activities. As a 1:1 school, CAK was well-positioned to immediately move to online school while keeping students and faculty safely distanced at home. CAK was one of the only local schools that did not miss a day of high quality learning that year. That fall, CAK opened in-person and on-time, the first school in the area to do so.

Enrollment grows to 1,000 students. Plans for a Christian Life Center begin.

CAK held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Christian Life Center, and construction began for this state-of-the-art facility.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opens the new Christian Life Center. This 500-seat auditorium allows students to hold chapel, concerts, plays, and presentations to showcase their talents for the glory of God.