History

In 1995, William Kennoy, a Director of the Tennessee Valley Authority, conceived a
vision for the urban children of Tennessee.  He was challenged by the fact that on
weekends, most inner-city children had no place for productive activity while the
company’s buildings remained empty. He envisioned a program whereby community
businesses could shape the lives of future leaders by opening their doors for
educational and motivational activities. Interactive sessions led by business and civic
leaders would show urban children that there was a place for them in the future of
their city.  He wanted to open the TVA offices in Knoxville and Chattanooga on
weekends to lead the way.

Hence the Weekend Academy was born in 1996 with the goal of investing in children
who may otherwise be disengaged rather than be groomed as a future workforce.  
With the help of TVA, Weekend Academy Inc. became an independent non-profit
organization two years later in 1998.  

Currently, there are three active Academy chapters across the state.  Each site
partners with targeted Title One schools in its area. Teachers and administrators there
are asked to select 3rd graders who they see as having potential, could most benefit
from some enrichment activities but are least likely to have access to them, usually
due to economic factors, and whose parents are willing for them to be involved.  

So how does it all work?  On two Saturdays a month, Weekend Academy students
gather in donated classroom spaces within local companies.  From their downtown
“home bases,” students are led by elementary school teachers and teen leaders.  
Following breakfast, rotate through a series of specially-designed classroom sessions
related to the topic of the month.  These mini-workshops encompass guest speakers,
live demonstrations, computer sessions, experiments, and other hands-on activities.  
These in-house activities are alternated with field trips out into the big wide world that
allow students to see these topics come to life.  The purpose is to broaden students’
horizons and expose them to a range of possibilities for career and life.