The King's Academy (West Palm Beach, Florida)

The King's Academy is a three-time National Blue Ribbon, private Christian pre-K–12 college-preparatory school in West Palm Beach, Florida. Established in 1970, it is run by an independent board of governors. History The King's Academy was founded by a group of Christian business leaders and pastor and theologian C. Ernest Tatham 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 location, 65 acres at Belvedere Road and Sansbury's Way in Palm Beach County, Florida. Since 1970, four presidents have overseen the daily operations of the school: Kye Harris (1970–1974) M. Nelson Loveland (1974–1999) Jeffrey M. Loveland (1999–2016) Randal L. Martin (2016–present). Since the school's inception, seven chairs of the board of governors have served: M. Nelson Loveland (1970–1974) Lloyd Prouty (1974–1975) Stanley F. Frederick (1975–1987) Gene Martin (1987–1993) David Fiebig (1993–2006) Clyde S. Meckstroth (2006–2019) Steven T. Rasmussen (2019–present). National awards and recognition The King's Academy has received a number of national honors, including: 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. 1988: The band performed at the White House during President Ronald Reagan's term. 1989: The school's band students were selected to play for President George H. W. Bush and Vice President Dan Quayle at their inaugural parade. 2000: The school's fine arts students performed the world amateur premiere of Disney's Beauty and the Beast musical. 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. 2013: The school's fine arts 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). 2014: Dr. Frost reiterated the school's top seven national ranking. 2014: Arne Duncan, U.S. Secretary of Education for President Barack Obama, named the school a National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary High Performing School; one of 50 private schools to receive the honor. 2015: The National Football League named the school to its Super Bowl High School Honor Roll. 2016: The school's musical theatre program was named one of the nation's five best by the American High School Theatre Festival, winning the award for its performance of "Jekyll & Hyde." 2016: The school's boys golf team won a national championship at the Antigua National High School Golf Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona; defeating the Utah state champion team by 11 strokes, the Arizona champion by 15 strokes, and the Illinois winner by 25 strokes. 2017: The school's choir and dance students were selected to perform for President Donald Trump and Vice President Mike Pence at their inaugural concert. 2017: For a second time, the school's musical theatre program was named one of the nation's five best by the American High School Theatre Festival, winning the award for its performance of "Les Miserables." 2017-2020, 2022, 2026: The school's competitive cheerleading team earned six National Grand Champion honors, defeating all teams, at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders ("FCC") National Championships in Orlando, Florida. 2018: The school's conservatory students performed the world high school premiere of "Newsies" the musical. 2022: The school hosted the Fox News Hannity Town Hall Special Live Event which included Governor Ron DeSantis, US Senator Marco Rubio, and US Senator Rick Scott. 2022: TKA became the first brick-and-mortar K-12 school to earn a YouTube silver play button for 100,000 subscribers. By 2025, the school's @TKAWPB channel had more than 300,000 subscribers. 2023-2024: The school's conservatory students performed the world school and world amateur premieres of Sight & Sound's "Ruth" and "Joseph" musicals, respectively. 2024: Broadway's Jeremy Jordan performed a Christmas concert with the school's jazz ensemble. 2025: The school earned Exemplary Accreditation from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), one of approximately 25 Christian schools in the USA to earn ACSI's highest award. 2025: Linda McMahon, U.S. Secretary of Education for President Donald Trump, nominated the school for a third National Blue Ribbon School as an Exemplary High Performing School; one of 50 private schools to receive the honor. 2025: First Lady Melania Trump, invited the school's jazz ensemble to perform Christmas favorites in the White House's East Room; one of 25 musical groups to be selected. 2026: Best-selling jazz saxophonist Kenny G collaborated with the school's jazz ensemble on a recording of "You Raise Me Up." Academic profile The King's Academy offers a college preparatory program for students from early childhood to 12th grade. The King's Academy is fully accredited by Cognia and the Association of Christian Schools International. The school's most recent re-accreditation study resulted in an extension of the school's exemplary accreditation through 2030. Middle and high schools The King's Academy's secondary schools educate students from 6th 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. Recent commencement speakers have included Vice President Mike Pence, Mac Powell, Bob Goff, Dr. Ben Carson, Tim Tebow, Benjamin Watson, Gov. Mike Huckabee, Sen. Marco Rubio, Rep. Brian Mast, and TKA alumni Dr. Juli Slattery, US Tax Court Judge Emin Toro, and Gary Wallace. The King's Academy offers 21 Advanced Placement courses and 39 hours of dual enrollment credits in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University and Southeastern University. Business Program of Distinction 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; along with becoming a member of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA-PBL). In 2023, the school's accounting program was endowed by an anonymous donor. DiMino Engineering & Technology Program of Distinction In 2015, the school established a STEM magnet program for high school and elementary students, offering an academically rigorous science, technology, engineering and math curriculum. Students that complete the STEM track receive a certificate of completion. In 2018, Frank DiMino gifted $1 million to endow the school’s engineering track and to establish the DiMino Engineering Program. O'Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program of Distinction In 2016, the school established a pre-law track for high school students. Students interested in the field of law can earn a certificate of completion by taking six electives in law-related classes. In 2018, the Esther B. O'Keeffe Foundation donated $1 million to the Pre-Law Program, and King's named the program after the foundation. Pre-Medical Program of Distinction In 2017, the school established a sports medicine track for high school students. Students interested in the field of athletic training can earn a certificate of completion by taking five electives in sports medicine-related classes. Subsequently, the school added medical science terminology, pathology, applied research, and anatomy and physiology classes to allow students to also pursue a pre-medical certificate. Christian Leadership Program of Distinction In 2017, the school established a Christian leadership track for high school students. Students interested in a future career in ministry can earn a certificate of completion by enrolling and successfully completing three advanced biblical electives including Interpreting the Bible, Introduction to Christian Ministry, and Evangelism and Apologetics. In 2025, this program was endowed by an anonymous donor. Aviation Program of Distinction The school has also established an aviation program by which juniors and seniors can pursue a private pilot's license. In 2023, the program was gifted an on-campus flight simulator. In 2025, an anonymous donor endowed the program's annual scholarships. 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. Early childhood program The King's Academy's early childhood program educates students from age 2 to pre-Kindergarten at its on-campus home, the Frank DiMino Early Childhood Center, which opened in 2024. Athletics The King's Academy's Lions athletics program competes in the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Swimming and Diving, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, Volleyball (Indoor, Boys, and Beach), Weightlifting and Wrestling. As a full member of the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA), the school fields approximately 60 boys and girls teams in 30 FHSAA-sanctioned varsity sports. Team 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 and a sixth in 2019. In 2025, the school's boys' volleyball program won its first state championship with a 3-0 sweep of SLAM (Tampa) in the finals. In 2026, the school's girls' soccer program won its first state championship with a 5-4 penalty kick victory over Palmer Trinity. In 2016, The King's Academy's boys' golf team won the school's first national championship at the Antigua National High School Golf Invitational in Scottsdale, Arizona. The school's competitive cheerleading team earned National Grand Champion and FHSAA Public School Champion honors at the 2017 through 2020, 2022, and 2026 FCC National Championships in Orlando, Florida. In all, varsity teams competing for The King's Academy have won 181 FHSAA district championships, 64 FHSAA regional titles, 3 football conference titles, 7 Palm Beach County championship, 13 FHSAA state championships, and 7 national championships: (*) National title. (**) State runner-up. (^) FCC Division championship. (^^) Southeastern Football Conference championship. (^^^) Palm Beach County championship. Individual Championships and Hall of Fame While competing for The King's Academy, student-athletes have won 38 individual state and national athletic titles in cross country, golf, swimming, and track: (*) National champion. (#) Florida state record. Individual athletes with significant accomplishments in both high school and the collegiate or professional levels are inducted into The King's Academy's Athletic Hall of Fame. To date, the following individuals have been included: 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 1,850 fans. Lion and Lady Lion volleyball and basketball teams compete in the M. Nelson Loveland Athletic Center's gymnasium, which houses a game court and two practice courts and has seating for 800 spectators. The School's property also contains lighted baseball and softball fields, a track and field facility with seating for 300, six competition tennis courts, three beach volleyball 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 and 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. The Smith Family Conservatory of the Arts The King's Academy offers a comprehensive arts education to its preschool through high school students. Students perform in Broadway-style musicals, His People and His Voice choirs, jazz, band, percussion, strings, dance, visual arts, broadcasting, film and digital arts, and stagecraft. They can also earn diploma distinctions in theatre arts, instrumental arts, vocal arts, dance arts, visual arts, and digital arts. In 2016 and 2017, the school's conservatory program was ranked in the top five schools nationally by the American High School Theatre Festival. Elementary Arts (Kidservatory) Kindergarten through third grade students are taught music theory and receive beginning vocal training. They also participate in basic visual art classes. Junior Conservatory Students in fourth through eighth grade are given the opportunity to enroll and perform in theatre arts, instrumental arts including piano laboratory, vocal arts, photography and digital arts, and dance arts classes. Theatre 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. The school's production of Jekyll & Hyde earned a 2016 top high school musical theatre program award from the American High School Theatre Festival and an invitation to perform Les Misérables at the 2017 Fringe Festival in London, England and Edinburgh, Scotland. In 2017, the school earned a second top theatre program award for its productions of "Les Miserables" and "Funny Girl." In 2018, the school premiered the nation's first high school production of Disney's Newsies (the musical). In 2023 and 2024, the school's conservatory students performed the global school and world amateur premieres of Sight & Sound Theatres' Ruth and Joseph musicals. Other recent stage productions have included: Instrumental Arts The King's Academy offers instrumental classes for 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 and symphony orchestra. The King's Academy also offers classes in jazz performance, woodwinds, percussion and strings. TKA Jazz Ensemble In 2024, the TKA Jazz Ensemble became the first high school group to perform onstage at New York City's renowned 54 Below Supper Club. In December 2025, First Lady Melania Trump invited the Ensemble to perform Christmas favorites in the White House's East Room. At its annual Night of Jazz performances, the Ensemble has also performed with notable musical guests including drummer Duffy Jackson (2018), trumpeter Wayne Bergeron (2022), trombonist Wycliffe Gordon (2023), The Voice's Wendy Moten (2024), Broadway star Jeremy Jordan (2024), flautist Nestor Torres (2025), jazz vocalist Nicole Henry (2025), and pianist Peter Cincotti (2026),. In 2026, best-selling jazz saxophonist Kenny G collaborated with the Ensemble on a recording of "You Raise Me Up." The TKA Jazz Ensemble is under the direction of Wes Lowe and Mickey Smith Jr., a 2020 Grammy Award winner. The King's Regiment The school's marching and parade band, The King's Regiment (formerly known as the Marching Lions) was 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. In the mid-2010s, the band began performing solely as a parade band. Past performances by the Marching Lions included: Digital Arts The King's Academy's film program is named "Studio 70" in honor of the year of the school's founding in 1970. The program offers classes in film, photography, social media, and game design. Studio 70 student-produces short films, a summer feature film, and video games. The film program utilizes two LED volumes, offering adaptive virtual backgrounds, in its Studios A and B. Studio 70's features include: Notable alumni Pedro Arruza (Class of 1992), head football coach, Randolph–Macon College Heath Evans (1997), former professional football player, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints Lauren Jelencovich (2003), professional soprano singer Emmanuel Lamur (2007), former professional football player, Cincinnati Bengals, Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, and New York Jets Sammuel Lamur (2007), former professional football player, Tampa Bay Storm Larry the Cable Guy (Daniel Whitney, attended late 1970s-1980), stand-up comedian and actor Mike Miller (2010), offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, UNC Charlotte Colt Morton (2000), former professional baseball player, San Diego Padres Gigi Perez (2018), singer-songwriter Rachel Rossin (2005), artist Emin Toro (1993), federal tax court judge Notable faculty Jarrod Saltalamacchia was the school's varsity baseball coach. Saltalamacchia was drafted in the first round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves. He won 3 Gold Medals with Team USA in 2000, 2003, and 2005 and the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2013. Saltalamacchia also had stints with the Miami Marlins, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and Toronto Blue Jays. Keith Allen was the school's STEM faculty chair and head football coach. Allen is the head football coach for Schreiner University, a position he has held since 2025. He was the head football coach at Southwest Baptist University from 2007 to 2012 and The King's Academy from 2013 to 2021. Brad Wilkerson was the school's head baseball coach. Wilkerson was a Major League baseball outfielder and first baseman who played college baseball for the University of Florida. During his professional career, Wilkerson played for the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays. He also won a gold medal in the 2000 Olympics with the United States. Glenn Blackwood was a school board member and served as the school's head football coach in 2001 and 2002 and as an assistant football coach from 2003 to 2006. Blackwood played safety for the Miami Dolphins for ten NFL seasons and competed in two Super Bowls. Faculty and staff with 25 or more years of service are honored with a wall plaque on the exterior of the Loveland Athletic Center. To date, the following individuals have been included in the school's Wall of Fame: Campus The King's Academy is located on approximately 65 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 19 buildings (Lower Elementary, Administration, Upper Elementary, High School Administration, High School Science, High School Education, M. Nelson Loveland Athletic Center, Elementary Music, Smith Family Cafe, Rosemary Beaumont Library, Jeffrey & Gloria Loveland Field House, Bus Garage/Maintenance, Events Center (completed in 2012), Full-Page Aquatic Center (completed in 2015), Page Family Center for Performing Arts (completed in 2017), Boswell Science & Technology Center (completed in 2018), Frank DiMino Student Union (completed in 2022), the Esther B. O’Keeffe Innovation Center (completed in 2023), and the Frank DiMino Early Childhood Center (completed in 2024)) encompassing approximately 267,000 square feet under air. In 2015, the school added Studio 70, a film and television broadcasting facility. 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 offered approximately 140 courses, with advanced placement courses and dual enrollment credits from Christian institutions including Indiana Wesleyan University and Taylor University. In 2022, TKA's online school was relaunched as The King's Online Academy (TKOA), with 100 percent self-developed, proprietary classes; including dual enrollment classes from Palm Beach Atlantic University. TKOA offers more than 100 classes for students in grades 7 through 12, including honors and advanced placement courses and classes from all seven of TKA's Programs of Distinction. Additionally, TKOA offers master classes from notable Christian instructors including Bob Goff, Dan Cathy, Lee Strobel, and Mac Powell. Publications The King's Academy publishes student-produced elementary (EL) and high school (HS) yearbooks (both named The Sceptre) annually, student-written newspapers (Roar, formerly The Lion Ledger and The Scroll) and semi-annual magazines (The Chronicle). During the school year, the school also issues a weekly online edition of TKA E-News. From 2014 to 2016 and 2023 to 2025, the school's yearbook program was named a Jostens National Yearbook Program of Excellence. Recent yearbooks have included: From the school's inception to 2015, its yearbooks were as follows: References External links Media related to The King's Academy (West Palm Beach, Florida) at Wikimedia Commons Official website