History

• Established in 1998 by the Bishop T. D. Jakes, founder of the Potter’s House
• Dedicated in October 2006 to the memory of educator and mentor Mrs. Odith P. Jakes, Bishop Jakes’ mother
• Located at 3303 Potter’s House Way about half a mile west of The Potter’s House church
• A private, Christian college preparatory school, the 70,000-square-foot school building sits atop a hill in the heart of southwest Dallas, the crown jewel of Capella Park
• Students come from Dallas, Grand Prairie, Cedar Hill, Lancaster, DeSoto, Duncanville and Arlington, as well as from other cities such as Waxahachie and Plano
• The Academy offers outstanding academic and spiritual programs for its nearly 200 students; weekly chapel services are available for parents as well as students
• curriculum is designed to develop, expand and enrich the faculties of its pre-kindergarten through eighth grade students with plans to extend its program to twelfth grade

Accreditations, Accomplishments


• Clay Academy is accredited by the Texas Private School Accreditation Commission (TEPSAC), which is accepted by the Texas Education Agency.
• Also a member school of the Association of Christian Schools International (ASCI) and the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS)
• Clay offers small class sizes, experienced teachers, and a unique academic program that achieves a balance of core subjects, technology and extracurricular activities.
• Instructors have bachelor’s degrees and are certified by the State of Texas and the ASCI. Teachers have an average of 10 years’ teaching experience
• Clay’s poetry club was established in 2005, and since its inception, 26 students have had their works published.
• During the 2007-2008 school year, 35 Clay Academy elementary and secondary students participated in the Citigroup Financial Education Program learning important principles of using money and credit wisely.

Gift Campaign Goals


• The preliminary campaign goal is $8 million.  Realizing the Dream includes the following:
• A new music lab for kindergarten through eighth grade students which will provide enhancement of the fine arts curriculum
• A science and engineering lab with appropriate equipment for student advancement
• Expansion and improvement of the technology program, including a new lab
• General operating improvements
• Ongoing training and development for faculty members