The 865 Academies transformed what high school looks like in Knox County Schools. Instead of a one-size-fits-all experience, students now have the opportunity to explore their interests, connect with local industries, and prepare for life after graduation—whether that means enrolling in college, enlisting in the military, or finding employment in a high-wage, in-demand profession.

With the 865 Academies, high school becomes more meaningful, personalized, and connected to students’ futures. Think of an academy as a school within a school, where students explore careers through hands-on learning, connect with business and industry leaders, take classes tailored to real-world jobs, and work with dedicated teachers and mentors.

New ninth-grade students begin in the Freshman Academy, building a strong foundation for high school success. Beginning in 10th grade, students join a career-themed academy that carries through graduation, connecting their learning to real-world skills. KCS makes this possible through guaranteed experiences—including guest speakers, industry experiences, postsecondary visits, job shadowing, and work-based learning opportunities—along with advanced academics and leadership opportunities.

Academy Coach

Micaiah Smoker

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Freshman Academy

Freshman Academy Principal

Amos Whitehead

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Freshman Academy Dean

Joe Caldwell

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Freshman Academy Counselor

Pam Parker

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Welcome to Freshman Academy

Freshman Seminar

The Freshman Seminar is focused on pairing multiple activities and experiences with results of the YouScience Assessment to help equip students with the knowledge and self-awareness necessary to make thoughtful academy/pathway choices that align with their unique strengths and interests.

Career Exploration

Career exploration is the process of researching, evaluating, and learning about different work opportunities, job functions, and
industries in order to better link personal and professional aspirations with a potential career path. In the Freshman Academy this is done through career conversations delivered by guest speakers.

Pathway Selection

The purpose of pathway selection in the 865 Academies model is to provide students with a more focused and specialized educational experience that aligns with their interests, career goals, and aptitudes; it allows students to explore subjects and complete coursework that is either directly aligned or proximally related to their career interests in order to facilitate a successful transition to post-secondary education or the workforce.

Declaration Ceremony

The DeclarationCeremony is the symbolic announcement of a student’s academy and pathway decisions.
*Students do have the option to change their pathway one time before graduation.

Advanced Academies

Advanced academics activities are designed to prepare students to pursue advanced academic classes like AP and SDC courses, obtain industry credentials, and/or receive dual enrollment credit through two and four year colleges and universities.

Learn More

Commerce and Transportation

Academy of Health Sciences and Human Services Principal

Chad Smith

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Academy of Health Sciences and Human Services Dean

Tonya Stansberry

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Academy of Health Sciences and Human Services Counselor

Emily Lanius

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Welcome to Commerce and Transportation

Students gain real-world business, aviation, and marketing skills through project-based learning, simulations, and Work-Based Learning (WBL) Practicums. Graduates are ready for aviation, business, entrepreneurship, logistics, and marketing opportunities.

Aviation Flight – The Aviation Flight pathway is designed to help students develop foundational knowledge of aerospace and aviation through courses covering
aviation history; aircraft construction, systems, and operation; and industry-regulated flight procedures for safety and navigation. Students will also participate in simulated flight experiences to learn the maneuvers required to pass the Private Check Ride practical test.
Business Management & Administration – The Business Management & Administration pathway guides students in acquiring the knowledge and skills needed to lead and support business operations. Students develop expertise in business communication, leadership, organizational management, and workplace collaboration while gaining practical experience in planning, decision-making, and managing day-to-day business functions. This pathway provides a strong foundation for careers in business, management, entrepreneurship, and related fields.
Marketing Management – The Marketing and Management pathway guides students through foundational marketing functions, encompassing promotion, distribution, and
selling. Emphasizing the integral relationship between marketing strategies and overall business success, students gain insights and skills essential for navigating dynamic markets and contributing to the success of businesses through effective marketing practices.

Across all three pathways, students can earn dual credit, gain industry certifications, and participate in work-based learning and entrepreneurship experiences, ensuring they graduate ready to lead, innovate, and thrive in the business world.

Digital Creation and Design

Academy of Digital Creation and Design Principal

Dana Hall

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Academy of Digital Creation and Design Services Dean

Daphne Douglas

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Academy of Digital Creation and Design Services Counselor

Elizabeth Patt

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Welcome to Digital Creation and Design

Students develop industry-standard creative and technical skills through applied design projects and multimedia production. Experiences prepare them for postsecondary study or careers in digital media, software development, and creative technology fields.

Audio/Visual Production – The Audio/Visual Production pathway is designed for students with a passion for the dynamic world of multimedia interested in learning the fundamentals of audio and video production, including scriptwriting, filming, editing, and sound design.
Coding – The Coding pathway is designed to help students build a strong foundation in computer programming fundamentals. Through comprehensive instruction, students learn standard programming techniques and about the logic tools and methods programmers use to create sophisticated computer applications.
Digital Arts and Design – The Digital Arts and Design pathway emphasizes principles, processes, and elements of design while teaching students about and how to use the various industry tools needed to create communication solutions that effectively reach targeted audiences.

Across all three pathways, students can earn dual credit, gain industry certifications, and participate in work-based learning and entrepreneurship experiences, ensuring they graduate ready to lead, innovate, and thrive in the business world.

Health Science and Human Services

Academy of Health Sciences and Human Services Principal

Julie Liford

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Academy of Health Sciences and Human Services Dean

Virgil McKee

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Academy of Health Sciences and Human Services Counselor

Marlo Bales

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Welcome to Health Science and Human Services

Students build essential healthcare and human-services competencies through clinical internships, simulated care settings, and Work-Based Learning. Graduates are prepared for medical, counseling, and community-support professions.

Dietetics and Nutrition – The Dietetics and Nutrition pathway empowers students to create comprehensive nutrition care plans within the healthcare framework. Through advanced analysis methods, students assess community nutritional health and explore the intricate connections between diet, nutrition, and specific diseases, fostering a holistic understanding of nutrition's impact on health.
Human and Social Sciences – The Human and Social Sciences pathway delves into a range of crucial topics, spanning human needs, social services, mental health, and communication. Students explore the intricacies of human behavior, societal dynamics, and effective communication strategies, preparing them for impactful roles in social services, mental health advocacy, and community engagement.
Nursing Services – The Nursing Services pathway concentrates on essential topics such as communication and interpersonal skills, safeguarding residents' rights and independence, ensuring safe care provision, emergency situation prevention, and infection control. Students gain a comprehensive skill set, preparing them to excel in nursing roles with a strong emphasis on compassionate care, safety, and effective communication.

Across all three pathways, students can earn dual credit, gain industry certifications, and participate in work-based learning and entrepreneurship experiences, ensuring they graduate ready to lead, innovate, and thrive in the business world.

For me the Commerce and Transportation pathway has helped me to realize I want to start my own small jewelry business. I love to make jewelry and this pathway has helped me figure out how to run my own business even as a teen in high school. It also has helped me learn basic skills for after high school such as how to make a resume and how act in an interview. addison, Junior

Interested in partnering with 865 Academies?

Is your business or organization interested in being a partner of The 865 Academies? We have a great team to guide you through the partnership process. Fill out our interest form and someone from our team will be in touch soon.