First Baptist Academy in Powell will add an 11th grade to their curriculum in August, the latest change to the school's seven-year history.
"The process started some 10 years earlier. Actually, we thought it would've started around 2000, yet thought it wasn't the right time," said First Baptist pastor Mike Powell.
The school wants to ultimately expand into 12th grade, therefore having a K-12 program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, there are eight other private and/or Christian schools in Knox County that offer the same classes; only one of them is located in the North Knox County and Powell areas.
"The second fastest growing part of the county is the northern part of the county," Pastor Powell added.
Officials said in order to expand into high school education, the academy adjusted classrooms annually, added faculty, and offered extra curricular activities. This will be the school's first year in the TSSAA, where they can now compete in sports like basketball on the high school level.
"We want them to reach their potential, there will be some things you'll teach that will be the same. You're going to teach the math, you're going to teach the language arts," said the school's principal, Darrell Vandergriff.