Education is simply the soul of a society as it passes from one generation to another
-G.K. Chesterton
IMMANUEL:
God with us
Mission
Immanuel Community School exists to provide a remarkable, classically inspired, God-centered education to families in the South Knoxville area, one that cultivates wisdom and virtue in the souls of all students so that they may know and love what is true, good, and beautiful.
Vision
We believe all children bear the mark of God and have the potential to acquire wisdom and knowledge. Education is the cultivation of the whole human being and is not merely the accumulation of facts and information. True education is designed to foster the love and pursuit of what is true, good, and beautiful. By fostering a love for truth, beauty, and goodness, we seek to form disciples of Jesus Christ set free to embrace their full potential by living joyfully in accordance with the truth expressed by the God of all creation.
Immanuel Community School employs a classical instructional model which uses a time-tested, transformative, and biblically integrated approach to education. The deep, purposeful rhythms of learning inherent to this traditional model focus on the formation of virtuous, caring, academically prepared students to function as servant leaders in the 21st century who can reflect the light of Christ in the world.
We invite the local community to engage with us through mentorship. partnership and financial support as we work to expand access to high-quality Christian education accessible to previously overlooked or underserved families in the South Knoxville area.
Our Story
Sometimes a good idea floats into your mind without you realizing that it is more than a good idea... it's a seed.
After attending a good public school for more than three years, our family took the odd step of leaving the comfort and familiarity of colorful classrooms and kind teachers and took the plunge into the unknown (but interesting) world of Classical Christian education. At the time the knowledge of our pursuit of a Classical Christian education was limited to the simple truth that the curriculum would be rigorous enough that if my boys had to return to the public school system, they would not re-enter that system behind their peers at the same grade level.
In the beginning, we chose a Classical education because it was challenging. As time went on we learned it was and is so much more. We learned that Classical Christian Education nurtures the intellectual, moral, aesthetic, spiritual, and physical capacities of students with a rich and ordered course of study. It is grounded in the liberal arts and premised on the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty, and governed by the Lord Jesus Christ.* In other words, this model of education cared about the formation of my children's souls, in addition to the development of their minds, and possessed the tools to grow them in those areas.
As parents, we were more than impressed and grateful beyond words that we took the plunge into this time-tested way of educating our children. However, as an educator, I began to ask a new question... "Why can't we give the very best to those who need it the most? Can we do that? Why can't we do that?"
That was the seed.
We began to suspect it was a seed when we began to quietly water it with prayer.... asking God to make this His seed, His garden, His work.
And then it began... people began to come and conversations started because the very same seed had been growing in their hearts. God opened doors and the seed began to take root and sprout... and we are praying, cultivating, and nurturing that seed into an answer to the question...
"Why can't we give the very best to those who need it the most?"
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
- Matthew 25:40
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’
-Matthew 25:40
Stewards
Vision
Kim Chandler has been an educator for over thirty years. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Sociology from Biola University, a Master of Science degree in Education, and has been Nationally Board Certified as an Early Childhood Generalist. She is certified as a Kindergarten through 8th-grade educator and as an instructor of English for second language learners. She has worked as a Mentor teacher for novice teachers and a Master teacher for teacher interns. During her first fifteen years of teaching, she served inner-city children in Southern California. She has served children in the public school system in Knoxville, Tennessee for ten years. She has served students in the Classical Christian school her children attended for five years in the roles of teacher, reading specialist, assessment coordinator/trainer, and interventionist. See Curriculum Vitae here
Kayla Anderson With over a decade of experience in education, Kayla holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Child and Family Studies, specializing in Early Childhood Education, from the University of Tennessee. Her teaching background includes instructing second language learners in English, encompassing Pre-K through 3rd grade, with a primary focus on kindergarten in a Classical Christian school, where she developed a strong commitment to classical education. After the birth of her first child in 2018, Kayla transitioned to focus on her family, tutoring, and homeschooling her three children.
COMMUNITY:
people living in partnership focused on a common goal.
Partnership
The Need
Like never before, parents have the sense that schooling is leaving their children morally and spiritually unrooted and academically unprepared. Low and middle-income families in particular are looking for an alternative. STEM and magnet schools offer great academic preparation, but as public schools, they must leave faith at the front door. There are excellent Christian schools, but with annual tuition exceeding $12,000 per child, they are simply not accessible for most families.
The Solution
Using a “fair share” model a family's tuition contribution
will be based on a sliding scale and family income to determine a tuition amount that’s affordable. This means we attract families whose commitment to their children’s academic success is demonstrated by tangible investment.
Because we want every family we enroll to put their heart into this school, and to better support our distinguished student experience, our financial model includes fees and costs for families. However, we’ll never turn away a family for lack of funds. Through the generous work of financial partners and school and student sponsors an education here is affordable for all!
Expanding Access
We will use a four-fold approach to making a remarkable education accessible to families sharing our mission and vision. This four-fold approach includes: Fair Share Tuition, Day Sponsorships, Students/Seat Sponsors, and Donors
Fair Share Tuition
All families contribute a share of tuition according to their annual gross income. The Fair Share Tuition Formula guides this process.
Day Sponsors
With annual gifts of $500 to $1000 Day Sponsors can provide a daily or two of instruction for students who have not yet been matched with an individual sponsor
Student Sponsors
With annually renewable gifts of $5000 to $10,000 Student Sponsors transform these community-supported resources into an accessible education. This is a remarkable return on a philanthropic investment.
Donors
Donors make generous gifts of $10,000 or more to bridge the financial gap and expand access to even more students in need.
Overview of Pupil Funding
The financial breakdown presented herein is an initial draft and is subject to revision.
SCHOOL:
a beautiful space designed to form the minds and souls of children in partnership' with parents and under the guidance of teacher
Extraordinary Education
Education has the power to transform the lives of individuals, as well as their families and communities, especially when the focus is awakening wonder and forming character. Immanuel Community School was founded with the purpose of expanding access to private Christian education, opening doors to a high-quality, education putting it within reach of every family
We believe that all children possess the remarkable capacity to learn. We also believe that students rise to the expectations set for them. While adhering to developmentally appropriate teaching practices and instructional techniques, we expect students to meet the educational standards of their academic program. If students encounter difficulties in acquiring specific skills or grasping particular concepts, Immanuel Community School employs a wide range of instructional techniques to help them bridge any learning gaps. This approach allows them to progress successfully and in a timely manner, enabling them to meet the benchmarks and curriculum requirements set before them.
Extraordinary Results
Schools Success
Schools implementing a similar model across the country demonstrate significant academic gains. At Hope Academy in Minneapolis, students perform 40% better on math and reading proficiency tests than their peers in local public schools. At Brookstone Schools in Charlotte, 95% of graduates meet or exceed North Carolina learning standards. A comparison of national norm-based achievement tests places Brookstone students in the top 30% of the country.
A Shared Vision
Similar Schools
Hope Academy:
Garden Christian Academy: http://thegardenchristianacademy.org/
Kings Academy Nashville: https://kingsacademynashville.com/
Hope Prep:
Charleston Classical School: https://www.charlestonclassicalschool.org/
Ignite Classical School: https://www.igniteclassical.org/
Harbor Christian Academy https://www.harborchristianacademy.org/
Core Principles
Academic Transformation:
Exceptional Curriculum
High Expectations
Accountability & Support
Soul Formation:
Orthodoxy: Pursuing Truth
Orthopraxy: Practicing Faith
Orthopathy: Aligning the Heart
Cultivating Community:
Know One Another
Love One Another
Grow Together
Start-up to Launch
Step 1:
Incorporation and 501c3
Status
Fall
2023
Step 2:
Information
Meetings
Fall-Winter
2023
Step 6:
Area Family
Meetings
Fall
2024
Step 5:
Location/
Building
Spring
2024
Step 4:
Fundraising
Beings
Winter
2023
Step 3:
Board/Advisory Finalization
Winter
2023
Step 7:
Enrollment
Opens
January
2025
Step 8:
Hire and Train
Staff
Summer
2025
Step 9:
School Begins
August
2025
to
Immanuel Community School
doors open
August 2025
South Knoxville Campus
Immanuel Community School will open its doors in August 2025 for students in grades Kindergarten – 3rd grade. We will close class enrollment at 16 students per grade level, 64 students in total. The school will expand one grade level per year until the campus is complete and housing grades K-12th grades. We will dream big, start small, and grow slowly to ensure we provide our students with an exceptional God-centered education.
Beginning January 2025, we will be accepting applications for the 2025–2026 school year.
Let’s Get Started!
Hello Friends,
As we move Immanuel Community School from vision to reality, our mission remains clear: to provide an exceptional, Christ-centered education for families in South Knoxville. Your support has been invaluable, driving us forward with prayers, hands-on help, and wisdom. Now, as we face the costs of launching, we invite you to help us raise $25,000 for crucial next steps. Your generous contribution will make a significant impact, ensuring our school becomes a beacon of hope. Join us in making this vision a reality. Thank you for your continued support.
With Gratitude,
The Immanuel Team
NOTE: We are in the process of obtaining our 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Pub 557 indicates that the effective date of our exemption will be retroactive to our date of incorporation which is October 13, 2023. Donations may be tax-exempt.
Non-Profit Corporation:
We are soon to be registered as a Tennessee 501(c)(3) Non-profit Corporation.
Change a Life:
Immanuel Community School
is a private, Christian school funded by individual partners, corporations, foundations, churches, and tuition. We are a Kingdom school rooted in God’s Word and committed to academic transformation, soul formation, and community service.
We are in the process of obtaining our 501(c)(3) status from the Internal Revenue Service. IRS Pub 557 indicates that the effective date of our exemption will be retroactive to our date of incorporation which is October 13, 2023. Donations may be tax exempt.
Non-discriminatory Policy:
Immanuel Community School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletic, or other school-administered programs.
Partner with us:
Email us at immanuelcommunityschool@gmail.com to learn how you can donate your time and/or resources.