I went to Tri-Cities Christian Academy, and honestly, my experience there was horrible. I'm writing this because I feel like people should know what my experience was actually like, and I never want anyone to feel as hopeless and scared as I did. The biggest issue I had was with the principal. When I was in 6th grade, I was accused of something I never did. Instead of actually listening to me, I was harshly interrogated and treated like I was a criminal. It genuinely felt like I was being treated like a murder suspect instead of a 6th grader. I kept telling them that I didn't do what I was accused of (because I hadn't), but I was pressured to confess anyway. The principal told me that if I didn't confess, "it was just going to get worse from there on out." I remember feeling extremely scared and powerless because I was a kid being confronted by an adult who had so much authority over me. What makes it even worse is that they had the opportunity to check my phone for evidence and chose not to. Even though they didn't check it, I was still suspended. I was basically punished for something I didn't do without being shown evidence that I had done it. The way I was pressured to confess is one of the biggest reasons this experience was so traumatic for me. I was being coerced into admitting to something that I knew I had not done. I was a 6th grader, and I did not feel like I had any power to stand up for myself against an adult in a position of authority. This affected me way beyond that one situation. I already had an anxiety disorder, but this experience made it 100 times worse. For the next three years, I had severe anxiety just walking past the principal or even going near the office. I would get so anxious on the way to school that I would get physically sick because I was so scared that I might even have to walk past him. Even having a simple conversation with him made me extremely anxious, and I would end up crying because I was so terrified of him, no matter what the conversation was about. Eventually, things got so bad that I had to leave the school. Another huge problem was the double standard for athletes. It felt like athletes could get away with things that other students would get in trouble for. Rules should be the same for everyone, regardless of whether someone is an athlete or not. For example, tattoos are against the student handbook, yet I have seen athletes who have tattoos. I also had serious concerns about racial treatment based on things I witnessed. I felt that some students were treated differently because of their race, which was extremely upsetting to see. As for the principal, my personal experience with him was that he was extremely intimidating and controlling. I felt bullied by someone who was supposed to be an adult I could trust. I'm not saying everyone will have the exact same experience I did, but this is what happened to me, and it had a lasting impact on my life. I was a child when all of this happened, and I don't think any 6th grader should be made to feel the way I did. Even now, I am still dealing with the consequences of what happened. This is not something that simply went away when I left the school. The fear and anxiety I experienced stayed with me, and I still have to deal with the effects of that experience today. Students deserve to feel safe, respected, and heard at school. No child should leave school feeling afraid of the adults who are supposed to be looking out for them. read more

The leadership of Tri-Cities Christian Academy and Lakeway Christian Schools have been respectfully and generously given multiple gifts of information and grace for which they have done nothing to protect the students and grow their reputation in the community. Their lack of care and insincerity is intensely disheartening, even as a few glowing embers try to tow the line at TCA. Here is the apology hundreds are waiting for: "Tri-Cities Christian Academy and Lakeway Christian Schools would like to issue a public apology to numerous families, students and staff who have been adversely affected by the leadership and unchecked decisions made over the last few years. While we have taught the students the importance of Jesus' grace and forgiveness, we realize we have not practiced that here in our very schools. We have failed to protect our students from coercion, manipulation, interrogations, racial discrimination, mistreatment of young ladies, general bias and unchecked backgrounds of hired staff. We have failed to include appropriate staff and partnerships with parents for the general success of the school, students, and especially for the souls of affected people. We are reminded of Matthew 18:6 and therefore, we repent that we have condoned and supported this atmosphere/behavior in our schools. As leaders, we have favored the sins of legalism and self-righteousness at the expense of many and understand that it is this attitude that gives Christianity a bad name. For this we also ask forgiveness. In attempt to maintain Christian leadership in our schools and continue to capture young souls for Jesus, we wish to humble ourselves and elevate Jesus. It is our strong desire that we become less and He become more. We plan to eradicate the sources of the above practices, include parents and staff, implement a program of checks and balances, and revise the Policies handbook to be more relevant to today's society. We plan to adhere to the truth found in the Bible so that our schools may thrive once again." This repentance and correction is what everyone is waiting to hear, TCA and Lakeway! read more

Tri-Cities Christian, SACS & AACS accredited, has strong educational programming where my children have grown in high proficiency in academics for multiple years. I also value Bible being taught to educate the whole person. When we became more involved in extracurriculars, we as parents began to have a much greater appreciation for the community that is Tri-Cities Christian. read more

Tri-Cities Christian Academy - The sign is at the front of campus - Middle Schools & High Schools Near Me - Blountville, Tennessee