Exciting Announcement

TKA Family,

We are pleased to announce that at the July 26th meeting of The King’s Academy Board of Trustees, the board unanimously approved immediate action of the establishment of the J.T. Shen Science Center at Atchley Hall Project. The J.T. Shen Science Center at Atchley Hall is the much-anticipated STEAM building project that has been in the planning stages for some time. After much prayer and petition, the decision has been made in order to honor those in our community who have faithfully given, to renovate a current building. This was the best course of action as it can be done at a much lower cost than a new construction due to multiple factors. The Atchley Dormitory has been a significant part of student life for years and promises to become the center of academic learning on campus for many years to come as Atchley Hall.

The J.T. Shen Science Center at Atchley Hall will hold two state-of-the- art science labs, technology center, art studio, ten MS/HS classrooms, Lions’ Den School Store, student study space, and an office suite. The J.T. Shen Science Center at Atchley Hall is poised to allow The King’s Academy to continue to grow, as all classrooms are currently occupied and multiple grade levels are experiencing waiting lists. The project gains its name in honor of Mr. Jin-Tai Shen, father of TKA graduate Tom Shen. Mr. Shen has graciously given to name this project after his father who faithfully sacrificed so that he could have an international faith-based education as a high school student. Mr. Shen currently resides in California, excelling within the banking/technology industry, and is thankful to see movement on this project that has been in the planning stages for several years.

The Board of Trustees has authorized TKA President Jeremy Sandefur and his Leadership Team to begin immediate plans on Phase One of the project, slated to begin in the Fall of 2022. Phase One will be completed with the funds previously raised for the STEAM Project. It will include two state of the art science labs, three classrooms, Lions’ Den School Store, student study space, and an office suite. While construction begins on Phase One, the TKA Development Office will seek to immediately begin raising funds for Phase Two which would include the remaining classrooms, technology center, and art studio that will be housed on the second story of the building.

Board of Trustees Chairperson, Jane Wilson commented “The Board of Trustees spent several months in prayer, committee meetings, and conducting feasibility studies before making this historic move. It quickly became apparent with increasing building costs nation-wide, that a new building was not feasible. With visionary, forward thinking the plan to convert the dormitory into a ‘new’ STEAM building began to grow”.

Of the project, TKA President Jeremy Sandefur said, “I am humbled and honored by the decision of the Board of Trustees to accept and move forward with this exciting project. We recognize this building has been discussed for a long time on our campus, and it is truly humbling to see the Lord provide in this manner. I strongly believe that the J.T. Shen Science Center at Atchley Hall will become the center of academic and student progress on campus as we continue to move towards the future of The King’s Academy. We are so grateful for all who have supported this project that allows us to begin with Phase One and ask that all Lion families prayerfully consider how they can support the completion of this long-awaited addition to our historic and thriving campus.”

The project will be dedicated in a ceremony on September 21st, at 9:00 a.m. in the Dr. Carroll Reece Reagan Pavilion. More information will be made available on the project including detailed drawings, and ways to support the project in the days ahead. We covet your prayers and support as this exciting project begins shortly.

Sincerely,

The King’s Academy Board of Trustees and Leadership Team