CAK BLOG

List of 20 news stories.

  • Athletic Signing Day!

     We celebrated five student-athletes as they signed to continue their athletic and academic journeys at the collegiate level!

    We are so proud of these students for their hard work, dedication, and perseverance, both on and off the field, court, and track. It has been a joy to watch them grow, and we can’t wait to see what God will do in and through their lives in this next chapter.

    Congratulations to:
    Foster Coleman – Basketball, Bryan College
    Owen Fulford – Track & Field, Western Carolina University
    Jacob Haig – Lacrosse, University of Bridgeport
    Hannah Hankins – Soccer, Lincoln Memorial University
    Annie Leadbetter – Volleyball, Belhaven University

    We are cheering you on every step of the way!

  • Faculty Spotlight- Carissa Blackburn

    It’s Teacher Tuesday! Today, we’re shining the spotlight on one of our amazing 3rd-grade teachers, Carissa Blackburn! Her joy for teaching, love for her students, and heart for building community make her such a special part of CAK.

    Carissa has been teaching 3rd grade at CAK for three years and says this age group is exactly where she’s meant to be.

    “Third grade is my happy place! The kids are at such a fun age, and we have a blast,” she shared.
    Carissa chose to teach at CAK because of her husband's strong connection to the school. Hearing stories about the lasting impact CAK had on his family showed her the heart behind this community and made her want to be part of it as both a teacher and someday for her own family.

    She especially loves the relationships she gets to build with her students and their families, and says the support from the CAK community has meant so much, especially this past year as she and her husband, Chase, welcomed their 6-month-old daughter, Hadley. Their chocolate lab, Maverick, is also loving life as a big brother!

    One of Carissa’s favorite parts of teaching is teaching Bible to the entire 3rd-grade class and being part of her students’ faith journeys.

    When she’s not in the classroom, you can probably find her reading, enjoying Mexican food, or spending time with her family.

    We are so thankful for the joy, warmth, and love Carissa brings to CAK each day!

  • Faculty Spotlight- Christa Bennett

    It’s time for Teacher Tuesday! Meet the incredible educators who inspire, encourage, and walk alongside our Warriors in and out of the classroom.

    This week, we’re highlighting Christa Bennett, a familiar face on campus who has been investing in students at CAK for nearly two decades. From AP Psychology to AP European History, she brings both experience and heart to the classroom and a deep love for the CAK community.

    As a CAK graduate herself, Christa understands what makes this place special and has spent the last 19 years pouring into students while raising her own family here.

    “As a CAK graduate, this school feels like home to me. It has been a wonderful community of believers in which to teach and raise my children,” said Christa.

    Whether she’s teaching, cheering on the Warriors at games, or supporting her own kids and their friends, Christa is all in on life at CAK, and we’re grateful for the impact she continues to make!

  • No Athlete Left Behind

    Junior, Sawyer Anderson, is taking on an incredible challenge for a great cause.

    For his capstone project, Sawyer, a member of our CAK football team, will walk for 24 hours straight on April 24th to raise money for No Athlete Left Behind, an organization that helps support Knoxville athletes.
    His goal is to raise $7,500, and he’s inviting the CAK community to be part of it!

    Come out to the track on April 24th at 8 am and walk a few laps with Sawyer to show your support. Every step helps make a difference for local athletes.

    Let’s rally behind Sawyer as he takes on this 24-hour challenge! 

  • CAK Class of 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorian

    Meet the CAK Class of 2026 Valedictorians Michael Bonanno and Cole Piers, and Salutatorian Brooke Atkins! We are very proud of these students.

    For the full story, click this link: 2026 Valedictorians and Salutatorian

    Michael Bonanno, Valedictorian
    Michael Bonanno is a National Merit Scholarship Finalist, AP Scholar with Distinction, and Global Seal of Biliteracy recipient. Michael maintained an almost perfect average throughout high school while excelling in a rigorous academic schedule. He served as President of the National English Honor Society and Captain of the Scholars Bowl Team and has invested in others through mentoring and tutoring. Michael plans to pursue biochemistry or biomedical engineering with the goal of attending medical school. We are grateful for the leadership and Christ-centered example he has set at CAK.

    Cole Piers, Valedictorian
    Cole Piers will graduate with a 4.55 GPA and complete every AP course offered at CAK during his high school career. An AP Scholar with Distinction and Global Seal of Biliteracy recipient, Cole also served as Varsity Basketball Captain and helped lead his team to a region championship during his junior year. His leadership extended beyond the court through mentoring, coaching, and organizing a Capstone fundraiser benefiting East Tennessee Children’s Hospital. Cole plans to major in business and looks forward to the next chapter ahead.

    Brooke Atkins, Salutatorian
    Brooke Atkins is an AP Scholar with Distinction and a two-time ACIS Distinguished Leadership Award recipient. Brooke has led faithfully in nearly every area of school life. She served four years on the Student Senate and currently serves as President. A varsity volleyball captain and dedicated hospital volunteer, Brooke has consistently modeled servant leadership. She plans to major in global finance and international affairs before attending law school. We celebrate her leadership, compassion, and commitment to honoring Christ.

  • Practical Discipleship: Prayer

    At CAK, we believe discipleship doesn’t stop at the classroom door, it continues at home, around the table, and in everyday moments. Our Practical Discipleship series is designed to equip families with simple, meaningful ways to grow together in faith.

    Each month, our Spiritual Life Director, Glen Davenport, shares a short video focused on one spiritual practice. These videos provide clear, practical ideas families can begin using right away.

    To view the video, click into the story and click 'Prayer' on the right side.

    Our hope is that these small, intentional steps will help families grow closer to God and to one another as they walk in faith together.
    Read More

  • 2025 AP School Honor Roll!

    Congratulations, CAK!

    The Christian Academy of Knoxville has been named to the 2025 AP School Honor Roll as a Silver member!
    This recognition highlights schools that expand access to AP courses while supporting students on the path to college success. At CAK, 46% of seniors earned a score of 3 or higher on at least one AP exam, reflecting both opportunity and strong academic support.

    We’re proud of our students and faculty for their hard work and commitment to excellence. Way to go, Warriors!

  • Battle of the Bottles 2026!

    Did you know that 1 baby bottle filled with change is typically a $25 donation to HOPE? What’s amazing is that your $25 donation actually saves TWO lives: a mom and her baby.

    CAK – how many lives can we save this year through the Battle of the Bottles?? Join us in partnering with HOPE for the 15th annual Battle of the Bottles campaign! Let's go, Warriors!

  • Battle of the Bottles is Back!

    It’s time for CAK to face off once again against GCA in our annual Battle of the Bottles, raising funds to support Hope Resource Center and the life-changing work they do in our community.

    After two tough years, CAK is ready to take back the trophy, but we can’t do it without you! All donations will be made online again this year, making it easy to give and help us make an impact. Every gift supports families in need and brings us one step closer to victory. Let’s show up strong, give generously, and bring that trophy back to CAK where it belongs.

    Click to Donate: https://investinghope.com/cak/

  • MS Robotics Had a Great Qualifier!

    Our Middle School Robotics teams had an incredible weekend at the Secret City Qualifier!

    - CAK Gold brought home 1st place in Robot Design and 2nd place in Robot Performance!
    - CAK Blue finished in the top 5 for their robot score and earned high marks across the judges’ rubrics.

    We are so proud of these Warriors, their creativity, teamwork, and countless hours of preparation truly paid off. Way to go, Robotics Warriors!

  • Egypt Tour 2026

    Where: Egypt Tour
    Dates: March 3-12, 2026
    Cost: $5695 includes airfare and tours
    DEADLINE: December 4th, 2025
    Who can go: CAK high school students & their parents, and CAK staff
    Contact: Angie Mynatt at amynatt@cakmail.org or Glen Davenport at gdavenport@cakmail.org
    Information: Download the information sheet and fill out the application today. 
    Information Meeting: Thursday, November 20th at 3:30 pm in the High School Commons.

  • Thanks for Giving

    Last week, we launched our Thanks-for-Giving annual fund drive for the month of November. Thanks to all who have responded so far and shared what you are thankful for about CAK this Thanksgiving season. As a reminder, a generous CAK family will match all gifts to the campaign, dollar for dollar, up to $30,000. We are grateful for your partnership as we strive to raise the next generation of servants, scholars, and disciples. Give Today!

  • CAK Signing Day!

    Today, we celebrated six incredible CAK student-athletes as they signed to continue their athletic careers at the collegiate level! We are so proud of their hard work, dedication, and commitment, both on and off the field. We can’t wait to see how God will use their talents and leadership on their college campuses.

    Congratulations to:
    Isabella Coughlin – Western Kentucky University (Golf)
    Annagail Herzog – Monmouth University (Swimming)
    Colie Thompson – Palm Beach Atlantic University (Basketball)
    Sydney Clemmons – Wheaton College (Soccer)
    Brody Waller – Lincoln Memorial University (Baseball)
    Joey Sulish – Tennessee Tech University (Baseball)

    Way to go, Warriors! Once a Warrior, always a Warrior.

  • Faculty Spotlight- Brandi Magee

    We love celebrating the teachers who make CAK such a special place to learn and grow. Meet Mrs. Brandi Magee!

    Mrs. Magee teaches 8th-grade Pre-Algebra and Algebra and is in her 4th year at CAK (and 18th year of teaching overall!).

    When asked why she chose to teach at CAK, Mrs. Magee shared, “I love CAK’s vision of partnering with families to provide Christian education that is focused both on spiritual growth and academic excellence, and I wanted to be a part of that vision as an educator.”

    Brandi and her husband, Matt, have lived in Knoxville for 22 years and have three children who attend or have attended CAK—Jack (Class of 2025 and now a freshman at the University of Alabama), Owen (junior), and Anna Claire (7th grade).

    Her favorite part about teaching at CAK? The people! “The students, the families, and my colleagues” make each day a joy. She especially loves the fun and engaging energy of her 8th graders and the supportive, faith-filled community around them.

    In her free time, Mrs. Magee enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, reading, and doing puzzles.

  • Save the Date for Elf Jr!

    Our middle school musical theater students are bringing ELF JR. to the stage, and you won’t want to miss it! Mark your calendars now and get ready for a holiday-sized dose of fun, laughter, and Christmas cheer.
     
    Performances: November 13th, 14th, & 15th
    Tickets go on sale soon!

  • Support the CAK Band!

    Purchases or donations can be completed via this link. If purchasing any items, supporters have the option to ship directly to your home or to CAK. If you select to support a specific student and have your order shipped to CAK, please communicate a pickup plan for your items with that student. If you select to support the CAK Band as a whole, Mrs. Bullock (obullock@cakmail.org) will reach out to schedule a pickup time. Indian River Groves has given us a delivery window between December 1-17th and will solidify a specific delivery date once all orders are complete. Thank you in advance for your support of the band!

  • Faculty Spotlight- Taylor Walker

    Happy Teacher Tuesday! 🍎 We love celebrating the teachers who make CAK such a special place to learn and grow.

    Say hello to Taylor Walker, who brings joy and curiosity to one of our preschool classrooms at CAK! Taylor has been teaching here for five years, but her journey with the school started even earlier when her own boys joined preschool. “I was thrilled when God opened up a door for me to join the preschool department I so deeply cared for,” Taylor recalls.

    Taylor loves that she gets to work with preschoolers every day. “Preschoolers are my people. Their curiosity and love for school become contagious. I love that they so willingly invite me into their special world.” She also treasures being part of a community where she can openly share her faith and plant seeds of Christ’s love in her students’ hearts.

    Outside of school, Taylor enjoys cheering for her three boys—Charlie, Jack, and Camden—on the sports fields, making family memories, and rooting for the Tennessee Volunteers and Chicago Cubs. She also loves road trips and discovering new destinations with her family.

    Taylor’s heart for her students and her passion for teaching are just a few of the reasons we’re grateful to have her as part of the CAK family.

  • CAK’s Warrior Company presents Robin Hood

    Save the Date!
    CAK’s Warrior Company presents Robin Hood by Tim Kelly!

    Thursday, October 23 | 6:00 PM
    Saturday, October 25 | 6:00 PM
    Christian Life Center

    Bring the whole family for an evening of laughter, adventure, and talent as our high school drama students shine on stage. Don’t miss the announcement of our spring musical at the final performance! Tickets on sale soon.

  • Faculty Spotlight- Olivia Bullock

    Happy Teacher Tuesday! 🍎 We love celebrating the teachers who make CAK such a special place to learn and grow.

    Meet Mrs. Olivia Bullock, our CAK Band Director and Chair of the Arts Department! For the past six years, she has been pouring her love for music and her faith into her students.

    “I chose to teach at CAK because I enjoy working at a school where I can share my faith and the love of Christ with my students,” Olivia says.

    Olivia loves that she gets to teach the full band curriculum—from 5th-grade beginners all the way to high school seniors—watching them grow not only as musicians, but also as leaders and followers of Christ.
    Music has always been a central part of her life, teaching her discipline, leadership, and responsibility. She says she can’t imagine life without it.

    Outside of the band room, Olivia enjoys kayaking, reading, baking, and drinking coffee. She and her husband, Trevor (who also works at CAK), have been married for seven years. Together, they share their home with two cats, Winslow and Loki, and a Corgi named Bingo.

  • Faculty Spotlight- Travis Mozingo

    It’s time for Teacher Tuesday! Meet the incredible educators who inspire, encourage, and walk alongside our Warriors in and out of the classroom.

    This week, we’re highlighting high school history teacher, Mr. Travis Mozingo! Mr. Mozingo teaches Dual Enrollment U.S. History and Contemporary Issues and has been part of the CAK family for 10 years.
    He and his wife, Beth, are deeply connected to CAK—Beth works in the business office, and all three of their children are proud CAK alumni. Their oldest daughter, Madeline, is now a teacher herself, Mackenna is working and living in Florida, and Maddox is a freshman at Tennessee Wesleyan University.
    When he’s not in the classroom, Mr. Mozingo coaches outside linebackers at Maryville College, enjoys hiking, hunting, and exploring National Parks.

    When asked what he loves most about teaching at CAK, he said: “Spending my days with America’s future leaders!”

    We’re grateful for the way Mr. Mozingo brings history to life and pours into our students each day!
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Christian Academy of Knoxville

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Knoxville, TN 37923
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Knoxville's premier preschool to 12th grade private, college preparatory, Christian school located in Knox County, Tennessee.
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