Buildings Rise From New Site of The Episcopal School of Knoxville

Construction is under way on a gymnasium, dining room, library and chapel for the two-year-old Episcopal School of Knoxville.

The Rt. Rev. Charles G. vonRosenberg, bishop of the diocese of East Tennessee, joined Headmaster Jay Secor and the school’s board of trustees in a traditional groundbreaking ceremony in May on the 96-acre site just off Interstate 40 in West Knox County.

“With excellent staff and students already in place, this groundbreaking is the next step in establishing the Episcopal School of Knoxville as a premier educational facility in this area,” Secor said.

The school moved to the new site in August with approximately 100 students in kindergarten through sixth grade.

“This is a promise delivered,” said Board of Trustees Chairman Jeff Johnson, a prominent local architect whose company is overseeing construction of the new buildings and who happens to be a parent himself. “We asked parents to believe in the school’s potential, and after two short years, we’re happy that we can reward that commitment with fantastic new facilities in which their children can learn.”

The school opened in the fall of 1998 as an independent school of the Diocese of East Tennessee for children in kindergarten through fourth grade. Its founding was the result of an effort by local Episcopalians to create a values-oriented traditional school stressing faith, knowledge and culture.
“The Episcopal School of Knoxville has something unique to offer children and their parents,” said Bishop vonRosenberg. “In terms of the development of intellect, faith and community, the school will give each child a sense of awareness of being loved and cared for in a unique way and in a special kind of environment.”

In addition to the core curriculum, course offerings include French, art, physical education and music. Chapel is offered each day, and extended care is available until 6 p.m.

The site, easily accessible to the largest population center in the diocese, is comprised of both open farmland and wooded areas of rolling and terraced terrain.

The school is conducting a $10 million capital fund raising campaign. To date, $5 million has been secured which includes commitments from a local family foundation and the Diocese of East Tennessee.

First Commercial Real Estate President Kerry Sprouse and Bertelkamp Automation Chairman of the Board Hank Bertelkamp are co-chairs of the campaign, with Pilot Corporation Chairman Jim Haslam serving as campaign advisor.

“There has been a groundswell of support for this type of institution in Knoxville,” Sprouse said. “The Episcopal School of Knoxville will offer the highest level of education to as many students as possible.”

The school devotes about 10 percent of its tuition income to scholarships. Discounts are available for families with more than one student, and scholarships are available through an endowment.

“We are proud that, as a young school, we are able to devote such substantial resources to scholarships,” Secor said. “Making the Episcopal School accessible to our community is at the heart of our mission.”

The school is a member of the National Association of Episcopal Schools and is seeking accreditation from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

The school has also gathered an impressive array of highly qualified staff. Secor, who was named Headmaster last year following a nationwide search, has extensive independent and Episcopal school experience. He is the founding headmaster of Hunter McGuire School in Virginia. Most classroom teachers have advanced degrees, and Lower School and Admissions Director Kae Bridges was formerly a pre-school director and a public school reading specialist.