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


The King's Academy is a National Blue Ribbon, college-preparatory, Christian preschool, elementary, and secondary school located in West Palm Beach, Florida. The school serves families with students from age one to twelfth grade on campuses located in Palm Beach County. 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 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 60 acre location at Belvedere Road and Sansbury's Way in Palm Beach County, Florida. In 2010, the school opened a second high school location on Caribbean Avenue in Clewiston, Florida. In 2017, this high school was sold to Clewiston Christian School.
Since 1970, four presidents have overseen the day-to-day operations of the school: Kye Harris, M. Nelson Loveland, Jeffrey M. Loveland, and Randal L. Martin. Since the school's inception, seven chairs of the board of governors have served: M. Nelson Loveland, Lloyd Prouty, Stanley F. Frederick, Gene Martin, David Fiebig, Clyde S. Meckstroth, and Steven T. Rasmussen.

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: On January 20, 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.
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.
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: The school's competitive cheerleading team earned National Grand Champion honors, defeating all teams, at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders National Championships in Orlando, Florida.
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."
2018: The school's competitive cheerleading team earned National Grand Champion honors for a second time, defeating all teams, at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders National Championships in Orlando, Florida.
2019: The school's competitive cheerleading team earned National Grand Champion honors for a third time, defeating all teams, at the Fellowship of Christian Cheerleaders National Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Academic profile

The King's Academy offers a college preparatory program for students from preschool to 12th grade. The King's Academy is fully accredited by four accrediting bodies: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, AdvancED, the Association of Christian Schools International and the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. The school's most recent re-accreditation study was completed in 2013 and resulted in an extension of the school's accreditation through 2018.

Secondary School

The King's Academy's secondary school educates students from 7th 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. The King's Academy offers 22 Advanced Placement courses and 21 hours of dual enrollment credits in partnership with Palm Beach Atlantic University. In 2017, the school's senior class received college scholarships worth $7.3 million. Recent graduates of the school have been accepted by selective universities including Harvard University, Yale University, Brown University, Columbia University, Cornell University, Dartmouth College, Princeton University, University of Pennsylvania, Air Force Academy, Duke University, Florida State University, Georgetown University, University of North Carolina, New York University, University of Florida, and Vanderbilt University.

Business Magnet Program

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; while being a member of Future Business Leaders of America.

STEM Magnet Program

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.
DiMino Engineering Magnet Program
In 2018, Frank DiMino gifted $1 million to endow the school’s engineering track; thus establishing the DiMino Engineering Program.

O'Keeffe Pre-Law Magnet Program

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 including Introduction to Law, Constitutional Law, Business Law I and II, Criminal Law, and Oral & Written Advocacy. 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.

Sports Medicine Magnet Program

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 including First Aid & Safety, Care & Prevention of Athletic Injuries, Health Explorations I Honors, Health Explorations II Honors, and Anatomy and Physiology Honors.

Christian Ministry Magnet Program

In 2017, the school established a christian ministry 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.

Computer Science Magnet Program

In 2018, the school established a computer science designation for students in grades nine to twelve. Students inspired to study the subject can complete the courses of Computer Programming, Web Design, and AP Computer Principals in order to receive the distinction.

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.

Athletics

The King's Academy's Lions athletics program competes in the following sports: Baseball, Basketball, Bowling, Cheerleading, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Lacrosse, Swimming, Soccer, Softball, Tennis, Track & Field, and Volleyball.
As a full member of the Florida High School Athletic Association, the school fields approximately 50 boys and girls teams in 23 FHSAA-sanctioned varsity sports. In 2014, The King's Academy joined the independent Southeastern Football Conference for football only.

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 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 and 2018 FCC National Championships in Orlando, Florida.
In all, varsity teams competing for The King's Academy have won 124 FHSAA district championships, 42 FHSAA regional titles, 3 football conference titles, 1 Palm Beach County championship, 11 FHSAA state championships, and 5 national championships:
SportDistrict TitlesRegional/Conference/County TitlesFinal FoursState/National Titles
Baseball1975, 1977–78, 1983, 1992, 1998-2001, 2003, 2012–131992, 1997, 20011992, 1997, 20011992, 2001
Basketball 1977-86, 1988–901978, 1982–84, 1986, 19891983, 1986
Basketball 1976-78, 1980, 1984–88, 1990, 1993–95, 2008–09, 20131976-78, 1984, 1990, 1993
Cheerleading2002-04, 2014, 2015, 2017, 20192009, 2010–15, 2017-18, 20192010-14, 2017-20, 2019
Cross Country 2011, 2016–182018-192019
Cross Country 2012-14, 2016–182019
Football1976, 2004–052016-18, 20181996, 2018
Golf 2013-14, 2016–1720152016
Lacrosse 2015
Lacrosse 2017, 2019
Soccer 2012-13, 2019
Soccer 1998-2000, 2007–1220092009
Softball1988-89, 1993, 1995, 1997-2001, 2012–131993, 1998, 2012–131993, 1998, 2012–13
Swimming 20192019, 2019
Tennis 2006-082008
Track 1980, 1990, 2001, 2009–12, 2017–182018
Track 1980-81, 1984, 1987–90, 2011, 2013, 2016, 20182006, 20182006
Volleyball1977-78, 1984, 1992–94, 1996, 2000–02, 2005–08, 2015, 20171977-78, 1984, 1992–94, 2000, 2002, 2006–071993-94, 2000, 2002, 2006, 20071993-94, 2006

National title.
State runner-up.
FCC Division championship.
Southeastern Football Conference championship.
Palm Beach County championship.

Individual Championships

While competing for The King's Academy, student-athletes have won 27 individual state and national athletic titles in track, swimming, and golf:
YearAthleteSportEventWinning Time/Distance/Score
1988Zoboke LehtinenTrack Shot Put46-6
2001Kathryn HallquistSwimming 100y Backstroke57.55
2001Kathryn HallquistSwimming 100y Butterfly57.08
2003Danielle BradleyTrack 800m2:18.20
2003Hailey NealTrack 1600m5:06.86
2004Danielle BradleyTrack 800m2:15.72
2005Danielle BradleyTrack 800m2:13.08
2005Danielle Bradley, Hailey Neal, Hillary Neal, Amanda JenkinsTrack 4x800m Relay9:35.42
2005Hailey NealTrack 1600m5:11.29
2005Hailey NealTrack 3200m11:09.40
2006Danielle BradleyTrack 800m2:15.19
2006Danielle Bradley, Hailey Neal, Hillary Neal, Gilda DoriaTrack 4x800m Relay9:36.77
2006Hailey NealTrack 1600m5:03.87
2007Vincent MercurioTrack Shot Put53-5 1/4
2007Hillary NealTrack 800m2:15.72
2007Hillary NealTrack 1600m4:57.16
2008Vincent MercurioTrack Shot Put55-7
2008Ian Williams, Bryan Carpenter, Henry Cabrera, Burk HedrickTrack 4x400m Relay3:24.99
2009Ian WilliamsTrack 200m22.41
2009Ian Williams, Bryan Carpenter, Dallas Herrmann, Ricky RoyTrack 4x100m Relay43.37
2010Jamaal WallaceTrack Discus156-4
2010Ian WilliamsTrack 200m22.15
2013Daysi Wilkinson, Payton Campbell, Katie Wentz, Emily CohenTrack 4x400m Relay4:03.14
2015Andrew KozanGolf FHSAA State Golf Championship141
2016Andrew Kozan Golf Antigua National H.S. Golf Invitational137
2017Justin BridgewaterTrack 800m1.55.11
2018Joshua ZuchowskiSwimming 100y Backstroke49.20

National champion.

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 1,500 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 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 with weight and athletic training rooms, a covered basketball and volleyball pavilion, a golf practice facility, and three prescription athletic turf practice fields. 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, concert and marching bands, percussion, strings and dance ensembles, 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.

Kidservatory

Pre-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 and dance arts classes and shows.

Theatre Arts

In April 2013, the school's students performed the world premiere of Disney's The Hunchback of 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.
Other recent stage productions have included:
SeasonStage Productions--
2006-07The Mousetrap, The King & I --
2007-08God's Favorite, Children of Eden --
2008-09Lord Arthur Savile's Crime, The Music Man --
2009-10The Curious Savage, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella --
2010-11Strange Boarders, Disney's Beauty and the Beast --
2011-12The Diary of Anne Frank , Seussical Jr., Les Misérables --
2012-13Our Town, Annie Jr., Steel Magnolias , Disney's The Hunchback of Notre Dame --
2013-14Pygmalion , The Wizard of Oz, Little Women, The Phantom of the Opera --
2014-15The Sound of Music, Willy Wonka Jr., The Glass Menagerie, Anne of Green Gables, Titanic the Musical, Aida --
2015-16Jekyll & Hyde , A Christmas Carol , Breakfast at Tiffany's , Wicked, The Light in the Piazza --
2016-17Cheaper by the Dozen, And Then They Came for Me, Les Misérables, Funny Girl , The Lion King Jr. --
2017-18Disney's Beauty and the Beast , White Christmas , Peter and the Starcatcher, Oliver!, Ghost the Musical--
2018-19Newsies the Musical, “‘’Handel’s Messiah’’, Our Town, Titanic the Musical, Miss Saigon.

Instrumental Arts

The King's Academy offers instrumental classes for elementary 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. The King's Academy also offers classes in woodwinds, percussion and strings.

The King's Regiment

The school's marching and parade band, The King's Regiment is a 3-time state runner-up in Class A at the Florida Marching Band Championships. In 2013, the Marching Lions finished 10th in the nation at the Bands of America's Grand National Championships, held at Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium.
Recent performances by The King's Regiment have included:
SeasonBand TripPerformance Venues
2016Boston, MassachusettsMarlins Stadium, Walt Disney World, FIU Stadium, Kahlert Stadium
2017Marlins Stadium, Walt Disney World, American Airlines Arena for the Miami Heat, Kahlert Stadium

Prior performances by the Marching Lions included:
SeasonShow TitleComposerChampionship Ranking
2004The ChaseBill Chase3rd, Class A
2005Cirque du Magiquemusic of La Nouba3rd, Class A
2006Bon VoyageJoseph Curiale3rd, Class A
2007Amazonian RainforestKey Poulan4th, Class A
2008GrooveMichael Pote2nd, Class A
2009AquasonicAndrew Yozviak9th, Class A
2010Classic SchizophreniaKey Poulan2nd, Class A
2011TransformedKey Poulan8th, Class A
2012Pyramids of EgyptGary P. Gilroy2nd, Class A
2013A Pirate's LifeGary P. Gilroy10th, Class A
2014My Many Colored DaysRichard Einhorn4th, Class A
2015At The CrossroadsDavid Skinner & William Smith3rd, Class A

Notable alumni

The King's Academy is located on approximately 60 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 16 buildings, Full-Page Aquatic Center, Page Family Center for Performing Arts, and Boswell Science & Technology Center ) encompassing approximately 225,000 square feet.
In 2015, the school added Studio 70, a television broadcasting facility.

Remote locations

The school also operates The King's Academy Preschool at remote locations in Boynton Beach, Greenacres, Loxahatchee, Palm Beach Gardens, and Royal Palm Beach, Florida; at the Boynton Beach Community Church, Church in the Palms’ Community Center, Trinity West Church, Cross Community Church, and Connect Church of Royal Palm, respectively.

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 offers approximately 140 courses, with advanced placement courses and dual enrollment credits from Christian institutions including Indiana Wesleyan University and Taylor University.
During the 2012-13 school year, two of The King's Academy Online's students, in 6th and 8th grades respectively, completed a 67,000 mile trip to all 50 American states and five of 10 Canadian provinces while enrolled. Their accomplishment was featured on the Today show.

Publications

The King's Academy publishes student-produced elementary and high school yearbooks annually, monthly student-written newspapers and semi-annual magazines. During the school year, the school also issues a weekly online edition of TKA E-News.
From 2014 to 2016, the school's yearbook program was named a Jostens National Yearbook Program of Excellence.
Recent yearbooks have included:
YearTitleDedicated ToPages
2018ELRADIANTDan McDonald, 6th Grade Teacher148
2018HSBEYOND MEASURETammy Richardson, Department of Mathematics Chair and Teacher302
2017ELMORE COLORFUL TOGETHERBunny Crocetti, Receptionist144
2017HSCONSTANT CHANGEJennifer Arrington, Science Teacher268
2016ELHIDE & SEEKDeborah Lopez, Housekeeping148
2016HSRELENTLESSJim & Michelle Kolar, Asst. Principal & Dir. of Student Life302

From the school's inception to 2015, its yearbooks were as follows:
YearTitleDedicated ToPagesYearTitleDedicated ToPages
1971SCEPTRE- Volume IWilliam H. Vimont, Founding Headmaster58 2000YESTERDAY, TODAY, AND FOREVERMary Anderson, Spanish Teacher 296
1972SCEPTRE- Volume IIKye Harris, Founding President77 2001ONE FOCUSJeffrey M. Loveland, President314
1973SCEPTRE- Volume IIIRobert C. Brooks, Assistant Headmaster109 2002FOR FUTURE REFERENCEUnited States of America306
1974SCEPTRE- Volume IVDavid A. Frazier, History Teacher145 2003THE TIME IS NOWShannan Kiedis, Choral Assistant292
1975SCEPTRE- Volume VM. Nelson Loveland, President175 2004ELSTAND OUTJon Otto, Elementary Principal124
1976GOD BLESS AMERICATKA Board of Governors159 2004HSSTAND OUTAndreana Wisniewski, High School Dean 232
1977SCEPTRE- Volume VIIPaul A. Tatham, Executive Vice President169 2005ELOLD SCHOOLRetta Calcutt, Second Grade Teacher128
1978SCEPTRE- Volume VIIIStanley Frederick, Board of Governors Chairman197 2005HSOLD SCHOOLCatherine Hilliard, Receptionist227
1979MEMORIESTom Mossop, Director of Operations185 2006ELBLUEPRINTS TO FOOTPRINTSSharon Caldwell, Elementary Dean103
1980WE'VE ONLY JUST BEGUNRichard Harrington, High School Counselor186 2006HSBLUEPRINTS TO FOOTPRINTSDavid Snyder, Choral & Artistic Director240
1981ONCE UPON A YEARJon Roncase, Athletic Director189 2007ELLEAVE YOUR MARKCarolyn Slade, Sixth Grade Teacher111
1982SCEPTRE- Volume XIICaroline Sigmon, High School Counselor191 2007HSSTAR QUALITYDouglas Raines, History Teacher256
1983SCEPTRE- Volume XIIIMary Anderson, Spanish Teacher179 2008ELBETTER TOGETHERAnthony & Laurie Campbell, Elem Coord & Acad Support110
1984SCEPTRE- Volume XIVAndreana Wisniewski, Science Teacher208 2008HSBETTER TOGETHERAnthony & Laurie Campbell, Elem Coord & Acad Support248
1985SCEPTRE- Volume XVMary Purdie, Elementary Principal208 2009ELI LIVEPaula DeJesus, School Nurse113
1986THE YEAR IN PICTURESOliver Steele, High School Principal240 2009HSBECOMING THE ARCHETYPEAndy Camizzi, Art Teacher272
1987LET THERE BE LIGHTCecil Walker, History Teacher235 2010ELBREAKING FREEJean Albert, Elementary Assistant Principal139
1988A TOUCH OF CLASSGary Slade, Physical Education Teacher231 2010HSinTENseBob & Fatima Silva, Spanish & Latin Teachers280
1989SCRAP THE ‘80sWilbur Mundt, Janitor239 2011ELWHAT REALLY COUNTSBev Hodel, Elementary Assistant Principal140
1990GENUINE LIONM. Nelson Loveland, President 215 2011HSONE SCHOOLDavid Linder, Security252
1991MORE THAN JUST A NUMBERJean Frazier, Elementary Supervisor225 2012ELLINKEDGreg Dulkowski, Elementary Physical Education Teacher144
1992A SHARPER IMAGECecil Walker, History Teacher 247 2012HSTHRIVERandal & Heidi Martin, VP, CFO & Mathematics Teacher288
1993RECYCLE THE TIMESRobert Fletcher, Bible & Economics Teacher251 2013ELHOW WE GET THEREKim Phillips, Fourth Grade Teacher147
1994ETCHED IN STONEJeff Gentry, English Teacher261 2013HSAND LIFTED UPNancy Stack, English Teacher279
1995ONCE UPON OUR TIMEM. Nelson & Jane Loveland, Pres & Asst272 2014ELSMALL CHANGERobin Wentz, Transportation Coordinator160
1996THE BIG PICTUREDelia Albee, First Grade Teacher271 2014HSMAKE YOURSELF CLEARAnne Spell, Business Teacher291
1997ATTITUDE IS EVERYTHINGKaren Moore, Receptionist273 2015ELTAKE YOUR TURNRobin Phillips, Elementary Vocal Music Teacher144
1998OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEWCarol Lynne Hirsh, Cafeteria Manager284 2015HSBIGGER & BETTERSonya Jones, High School Principal284
1999SAVING THE BEST FOR LASTChris Huether, Bible Teacher310