King’s Academy: A Unique Mission for Education and Community

Recently, I had the privilege of sitting down with Diana Batarseh, the Head of School at King’s Academy, to explore the heart and mission of this unique institution. Located in Nashville, King’s Academy is no ordinary school; it’s a Christ-centered, culturally and socioeconomically diverse, and classically inspired learning environment. Diana’s passion for creating an inclusive, kingdom-focused community was evident throughout our conversation, and I walked away with a profound respect for how King’s Academy is redefining what education can look like.

A School for All Backgrounds and Beliefs

Diana shared that King’s Academy, while rooted in Christian values, welcomes students from diverse backgrounds. “We don’t require that one or both parents be professing Christians,” she explained. This inclusivity is intentional; King’s aims to be a place where children from all walks of life can experience a supportive community grounded in love and respect.

In just three years, the school has grown from its inaugural class of 93 students to a projected enrollment of 215. The school’s commitment to cultural diversity is reflected in its student body, which speaks multiple languages and comes from varied backgrounds. This multicultural environment is fostered not only in the classroom but also through community events like their annual international potluck dinner, a beautiful representation of the unity they’re building.

A Partnership with Purpose: Utilizing Church Spaces for Education

A key aspect of King’s Academy’s story is its unique partnership with Tusculum Hills Baptist Church, which provides the school with ample space in an underutilized church facility. Diana’s insight into this partnership offers an inspiring model for other churches that may find themselves with similar resources. “We are not a ministry of the church; we’re leasing space. But we’re missionally aligned,” she shared, underscoring the synergy between the two organizations.

This arrangement doesn’t just make logistical sense—it also aligns with a shared purpose. Tusculum Hills Baptist Church has sought out partnerships that align with its values, supporting community-focused initiatives like citizenship classes for immigrants and now, education for children. As Diana described, this cooperation allows King’s Academy to fulfill its mission without compromising the church’s own goals.

Embracing Diversity as a Kingdom Value

When it comes to diversity, Diana’s approach is both humble and deeply intentional. While “diversity” has become a loaded term in many cultural contexts, Diana emphasized that King’s Academy’s commitment to diversity is rooted in a biblical vision rather than a political one. “We’re not trying to be countercultural,” she explained. “We’re trying to be a kingdom culture.”

At King’s, diversity is about more than just ticking boxes—it’s about creating a community that reflects the breadth and beauty of God’s creation. In a culture often marked by division, the school’s core values of diversity, humility, and unity serve as a guiding framework for fostering genuine connection among students and families.

Building a Community of Champions

Diana’s respect and admiration for her staff were clear as she spoke about the teachers who bring King’s Academy’s vision to life. She sees them as “champions,” people committed to nurturing students academically, emotionally, and spiritually. Recognizing the potential for burnout in the field of education, Diana has fostered a community-minded, relational environment for her teachers. From competitive pay and benefits to thoughtful professional development, King’s Academy is committed to supporting the well-being of its staff.

This community-first approach is perhaps best exemplified by the school’s annual “cookie drop,” where teachers visit each family with a bag of cookies to welcome them to the school year. It’s a small but powerful gesture that reinforces the sense of belonging and connection that King’s Academy is all about.

Tuition with a Purpose: A Model for Socioeconomic Diversity

One of the most unique aspects of King’s Academy is its tuition model, which is structured to ensure socioeconomic diversity within the student body. In each classroom, about 30% of students are full-paying, another 30% are on a sliding scale, and 40% are nearly full-ride scholarship recipients. This model allows King’s to remain accessible to families from various economic backgrounds while still maintaining financial stability.

“Everybody pays something,” Diana said, explaining that the model is not about charity but about creating a community where all families are invested in their children’s education. This approach requires careful planning and a robust commitment to fundraising, but it’s a model that aligns with King’s mission of providing high-quality education to as many families as possible.

A Classical Education with a Christ-Centered Focus

At King’s Academy, the curriculum is grounded in a classical model that emphasizes the “grammar, logic, and rhetoric” stages of learning. This approach is paired with a Christ-centered perspective, where every subject, from history to science, is taught as part of a larger narrative that points back to God. Diana shared that the goal is to cultivate “virtues in our students to love those things that are good, true, and beautiful.”

By exposing students to a rich tapestry of history, art, and philosophy, King’s Academy seeks to inspire a love of learning and an appreciation for the depth and diversity of human knowledge—all within a framework that centers on Christ’s teachings.

Looking Forward: Preparing Students to Serve a Broken World

As Diana put it, King’s Academy’s mission is not to create students who are “scared of the world, trying to hate the world, or trying to be the world.” Instead, the school encourages students to find their calling and use their gifts to contribute to the world in meaningful ways. The goal is to prepare students not only to succeed academically but also to become compassionate, thoughtful leaders who can make a positive impact.

A Vision Rooted in Faith and Service

Listening to Diana speak about her work, it’s clear that King’s Academy is more than just a school; it’s a community that embodies a vision of education that’s as holistic as it is hopeful. With a commitment to diversity, a partnership with a local church, and a classical, Christ-centered curriculum, King’s Academy offers a model that challenges conventional norms in the best way possible.

For anyone passionate about education or simply inspired by what faith-driven community can accomplish, King’s Academy is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when mission and purpose intersect.