The three-legged stool: church, school and family

Church, school and family unite to prepare students for lives of faith, leadership and service.

For more than five decades, First Baptist Concord has invested in the lives of children and families through Christian education. What began with Concord Christian Preschool in 1969 has grown into Knoxville-based Concord Christian School, a thriving educational community dedicated to academic excellence, spiritual growth and preparing students to make a difference in the world.

Founded in 1996, CCS has spent 30 years building an educational experience that nurtures both the mind and the spirit. The school expanded through the grades, eventually establishing a comprehensive K-12 program. Its first seniors graduated in 2013, marking an important milestone in the school’s evolution.

For Donald E. Snider, Jr., Superintendent of Schools, Christian education is more than a profession. With 41 years in the field, he sees it as a calling. That calling—that sense of purpose—continues to guide the school’s growth. For the 2026-27 school year, CCS serves 1,027 students in kindergarten through 12th grade, with another 436 participating in its homeschool program. The school also offers preschool and after-school care through its KidzConnect program.

Recent investments reflect that momentum. In May 2024, a new Upper School floor added 31 classrooms. Just recently, the school purchased 25 acres for future varsity athletic fields and facilities. Yet CCS’s growth is about more than enrollment and facilities. At the heart of the school is its mission: To inspire students to follow Jesus by equipping them to serve, lead, and transform their world. To that end, teachers and staff strive to know each student individually, providing not just academic instruction, but personal guidance and discipleship as well.

That approach reflects the school’s commitment to Kingdom Education, a philosophy Snider describes as “a three-legged stool of church, school, and family working together in a lifelong process that is centered on leading a child to Christ, building them up in Christ, and equipping a child to serve Christ.”

As a ministry of First Baptist Concord, CCS works closely with the church to reinforce that shared purpose. The commitment also extends into the community, where students participate in service initiatives throughout the year. Activities include Operation Christmas Child, supporting Second Harvest Food Bank, the Dolly Parton Children’s Hospital, and senior class mission trips. “We constantly look for ways our students can serve our community,” Snider says.

The school’s Christ-centered culture, and its commitment to advancing Kingdom education with excellence, says Snider, “helps students to not simply prepare for college or careers, but to develop character, recognize their God-given abilities and approach the world through a biblical worldview.”

As Concord Christian School looks to the future, its expanding campus and growing range of educational options reflect a vision that remains firmly rooted in its founding purpose. As Dr. John Mark Harrison, senior pastor of First Baptist Concord observes: “Thirty years ago,” he says, “a group of visionary church leaders at First Baptist Concord set out to establish a school to educate and equip students with a biblical world view. We are so thankful to continue this vision into the future by inspiring students to follow Jesus believing that Christ will continue to direct our steps.”

Concord Christian School

Gold Winner in Daycare

Bronze Winner in Preschool

11704 Kingston Pike
Knoxville, TN 37934
865-966-8858
www.concordchristianschool.org

Promotional content