Trinity Academy (Kansas)
Trinity Academy is a private Christian K-12 school in northeast Wichita, Kansas.[1]
History
Three businesspersons, Bill Nath, Pete Ochs, and Bob Smith, decided to establish a Christian school in Wichita. The school first opened in the fall of 1994; 20 acres (8.1 ha) of land had been donated and the staff had been hired the previous spring. Classes were initially held in Central Community Church, in rented space, since the school initially could not afford to build a permanent school building. Initially 61 students attended the school. The school later sold its initial land and bought a larger plot of land.[2]
Its permanent $2.5 million building, which opened by 1998, was financed through donations. It has 16 classrooms and is in eastern Wichita, on 75 acres (30 ha) of land. By 2006, the school had grown to 266 students, making it the largest non-Catholic Christian high school in the state. Another building campaign was held. Approximately $5 million was raised, and in 2008, the expansion was complete with more classrooms, an auditorium, and a second gymnasium. The school continued to grow beyond 300 students. In 2013-2014, the school celebrated its 20th anniversary by unveiling a new $3.5 million football stadium and track. A cross country track was added in 2014.[2]
In 2016, an elementary and middle school.[3] was added. The school opened at Eastminster Presbyterian, a nearby church. A new K-8 building was opened in January 2017, just south of the high school. Phase I of the new $5 million elementary and middle school includes 13 classrooms, a commons, music room, science room, library, kitchen and offices.
Athletics
It is a member of the Kansas State High School Activities Association.[1]
Policies
The school prohibits its students from having sexual activity.[4]
In 2016 the school made students sign contracts saying that they may be expelled if they or any of their family members were revealed to be homosexual/LGBT and/or promoting homosexuality/LGBT.[5] The school stated that the families of the students should determine whether they can follow the school's Biblical worldview. Tom Witt of Equality Kansas criticized the policy, saying that it punishes third parties for the actions of others. The school received criticism on social media.[4] The administration responded saying that it would not "necessarily deny admission to a student with same sex attraction" and that it would not and has not rejected a student for having a sibling who identifies as LGBT.[1]
References
- ^ a b c Glas, Brittany. "Trinity Academy responds to report of expelling students with gay relatives" (Archive). KSNW-TV. May 20, 2016. Retrieved on May 26, 2016.
- ^ a b "About Us: History" (Archive). Trinity Academy. July 16, 2010.
- ^ Riedl, Matt. "Trinity Academy to add K-8 school by 2017" (Archive). The Wichita Eagle. April 10, 2015. Retrieved on May 22, 2016.
- ^ a b Seabrook, Lauren. "Wichita school responds to LGBT policy controversy" (Archive). KWCH. May 20, 2016. Retrieved on May 26, 2016.
- ^ Buncome, Andrew. "Christian school in Kansas threatens to expel students if they have a gay family member" (Archive). The Daily Independent. Saturday 21 May 2016. Retrieved on May 22, 2016.