Davidson Academy

Davidson Academy is a private Christian school located in Nashville, Tennessee. It has students ranging from K-3 to 12th grade.

History

Davidson Academy, originally called Madison Christian School, enrolled students from grades one through four in 1980. The school expanded and was renamed after Davidson Academy.

Bill Chaney, the founding headmaster, retired in June 2015 after 35 years of service. He was succeeded by Tim Johnson, who himself was succeeded by Joseph Bradley. Most recently in May 2021, Terri Simmons was named Interim Headmaster when Joseph Bradley vacated that position.

Academics

Davidson Academy requires students to complete a rigorous college preparatory program before graduation. The students attend a weekly chapel led by teachers, students, and guest speakers.

The Lower School, grades 1–6, offers TAP, Targeted Academic Progress, which is fast-paced learning for advanced students. The program allows children to reach their potential by providing targeted, personalized instruction in a group setting. Spanish, music, guidance, library and art classes are first introduced in K–3, and continue throughout elementary school. A fully operational science lab, computer lab, and gym are also used as learning tools. More extensive dance and music (piano, violin, voice) classes are offered after school hours.

The High School, grades 7–12, offers Advanced Placement classes, including Calculus AB and BC, English Literature and Composition, English Language and Composition, United States Government and Politics, United States History, AP Human Geography, Physics. An Honors program is offered for advanced students, requiring three years of a foreign language, all offered Honors classes, four AP classes in three different subjects, and a 25 or higher on the ACT.

Fine arts

Davidson Academy offers classes in band, chorus, theater, poetry, creative writing, visual arts, dance (ballet, tap, jazz), piano, and voice. The Davidson Academy band has received five first-place trophies, and invites exceptional students to join Tri-M, the music honor society. Three students in the class of 2011 received this honor. The Davidson Academy theater department teaches both introductory and advanced theater, inviting all willing students to participate in its plays. There are between three and four plays every year, including one musical. Currently, four students have been invited to participate in the Nashville Shakespeare Festival's Apprentice Company.

Athletics

Davidson Academy fields a full complement of varsity sports teams for both women and men. Davidson competes in Division 2, section A of the private school division, in the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association. Davidson Academy won two consecutive state titles in their division for football in the 2005 and 2006 football seasons. And also won the state championship in football in 2008 and most recently, back to back to back championships in 2018-20 with an undefeated season in 2018 and 2020. Additional recent state titles include 11 state championships for Women's Golf, a Baseball State Championship in 2003, and the Softball State Championships in 2002 and 2008.

Other teams in Davidson's classification are:
* Donelson Christian Academy High School (Donelson, Tennessee)
*Webb School of Knoxville
*Bishop Byrne High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
* First Assembly Christian School (Cordova)
* The King's Academy (Seymour)
* Lighthouse Christian (Millington)
*Memphis Catholic High School (Memphis, Tennessee)
* Tipton Rosemark Academy (Millington)
* Rossville Christian
*Northpoint Christian School (Southaven, Mississippi)
*St. Andrew's-Sewanee School (Sewanee)
* St. George's (Collierville)

Notable alumni

*Rachel Smith, Miss USA, 2007 (4th Runnerup -Miss Universe, 2007)

Social views

According to their statement of faith:

We believe God has revealed Himself, His purposes, and His ways in the Bible, which is therefore absolute in its truth and authority over daily living.

We believe God is one, absolute in power and authority over all people. He has revealed Himself as Heavenly Father and is the first person of the Trinity.

We believe Jesus Christ is the second person of the Trinity, the physical embodiment of God; He is fully God and fully man, a mystery that calls us to worship.

We believe the Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is the invisible and contemporary presence of God.

We believe all human kind are separated from God by sin and are in need of a Savior.

We believe salvation comes only through belief (faith) in Jesus Christ as revealed in Scripture, His virgin birth, His sinless life, His sacrificial death upon the cross and His resurrection from the dead.

We believe Christians should live their lives in community, as members of a body of believers, and subjection to the will of God, holding one another accountable for their decisions and choices and offering encouragement and prayer support in all things.https://www.davidsonacademy.com/about/mission-beliefs-and-statements-of-faith

References

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Christian schools in Tennessee
Schools in Nashville, Tennessee
Private high schools in Tennessee