Trinity Christian Academy (Addison, Texas)

History

The school was founded in 1970 when racial desegregation of public schools prompted the creation of many segregation academies which enrolled only white students.

In 1972, like many other predominantly white private schools, the school's enrollment surged. The headmaster, David Coterill, attributed the enrollment increase to "parents [who] are unsure and afraid of an unsettled situation". Coterill stated that the school was not intended to be an "escape hatch for segregation", but also acknowledged that interest in private schools like Trinity "was initially stirred up by the busing situation", which he previously described as producing "tragic situations". Coterill attributed the lack of Black students to their inability to do the schoolwork, stating that "We have had some Blacks apply from the area, but the pathetic situation is that they cannot make the preliminary testing." He said the school would like to offer minority student scholarships, "but we just don't have the money now." Dallas city council member George Allen countered that "by perpetuating segregation, they are perpetuating bigotry." The school's director of student development said in 2016 that "We don't look like heaven. My heart broke for that."

In 2004 the administration expelled a student for his sexual orientation. James Barnett was expelled for what school officials described as his immoral behavior and supporting an immoral cause, in reference to Barnett's orientation and involvement in the creation of a social network for gay youth.

In 2012, TCA opened an art gallery which shows student works from grades K-12, as well as hosting other artists and their work.

An annual fundraiser in 2013 for the school was headlined by Tim Tebow.

Former NFL coach Mike Singletary coached the Trinity football team in 2018-2019, departing after they went 1-21 over two seasons.

As of September 2022, Jeff D. Williams was the head of school.

Demographics

In the 2019–20 school year, of the 1,379 students in grades PK-12, 1,101 (80%) were White, 85 (6%) Asian, 76 (6%) Hispanic, 59 (4%) Black, 9 (0.7%) two or more races, and 4 (0.3%) American Indian/Alaska Native.

Athletics

The Trojans participate in the following sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cheerleading
• Cross Country
• Dance
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Swimming
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Wrestling

Championships

In 1997, the baseball team won the TAPPS Class 5A championship.

The boys tennis doubles team won the TAPPS state championship in 2021 and 2022.

The boys golf team won its fifth straight TAPPS state championship in 2022.

The boys baseball team won the 2023 TAPPS 6A Championship, their eighth TAPPS state title since 1992.

Notable alumni

• James Barnett – LGBT activist, expelled due to sexual orientation
• Jack Blocker - 2024 3rd Place American Idol finisher
• Chace Crawford – actor
• Jason Hursh – baseball player
• Esther Kim Varet – art dealer and gallerist{{cite web|url=https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/visual-arts/2022/04/21/dallas-native-brings-her-various-small-fires-art-gallery-to-main-street/|title=Dallas native brings her Various Small Fires art gallery to Main Street|last=Smart
• Beau Morgan – former NFL player
• Blane Morgan – college football coach
• Elizabeth Neumann – former George W. Bush administration and first Trump administration official
• David Purcey – former baseball player
• Daniel Roseberry – fashion designer for Maison Schiaparelli
• Jess Williamson – singer-songwriter
• Will Zalatoris – professional golfer

References

References

1. "Search for Private Schools - School Detail for Trinity Christian Academy". [[Institute of Education Sciences]].
2. (August 4, 1972). "Private School Enrollment $$$ Help for Institution". Baytown Sun.
3. (August 26, 2020). "Some Christian schools are finally grappling with their racist past and segregated present".
4. (July 25, 1971). "Bussing discussed: Headmaster is guest speaker". Irving Daily News.
5. (January 7, 2005). "Expelled from Trinity Christian Academy in Addison, TX, for Being Gay". The Point Foundation.
6. Davis, Ryan. (December 17, 2004). "Christian school kicked a teen out for being gay". Houston Voice.
7. (23 December 2004). "Truth Hurts". Dallas Observer.
8. "Ellen Soderquist & Sedrick Huckaby: Drawing and Painting the Figure".
9. Tommy Cummings. (15 May 2013). "Tim Tebow dinner raises more than $1 million for Trinity Christian Academy in Addison". Dallas News.
10. Anugrah Kumar. (23 February 2013). "Tebow to Appear at Other Events in Texas After Withdrawing From First Baptist?". The Christian Post.
11. (22 May 2020). "Ex-49ers coach Mike Singletary out after two years at Texas high school". RSN.
12. BOB BAKKEN. (11 January 2019). "Singletary man of faith and football". DeSoto Times-Tribune.
13. "Certified Heads of School". Council on Educational Standards and Accountability.
14. Stu Duncan. (1998-05-07). "Fielding the tough ones". Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
15. (7 April 2022). "Back-To-Back! Muschalek and Boylan win TAPPS 6A Mens Doubles Championships". Nextstar Media.
16. (12 May 2022). "A Golf Dynasty: TCA tacks on 19th Golf TAPPS State Title; fifth straight Championship". Nextstar Media.
17. (May 17, 2023). "TAPPS baseball: Walk-off sac fly lifts TCA-Addison to first state championship since 2006". The Dallas Morning News.
18. "Gossip Girl Transformations – Chace Crawford". [[InStyle]].
19. "Braves stock up on pitching with college arm Hursh". Mlb.mlb.com.
20. "Beau Morgan XFL profile".
21. (28 December 2012). "Like many Air Force coaches, Carrollton's Blane Morgan is an alum".
22. "Elizabeth Neumann".
23. "David Purcey".
24. Maria Halkias. (19 October 2022). "Meet the Plano native behind downtown Neiman Marcus' rare Schiaparelli shop". Dallas News.
25. "Jess Williamson Goes the Extra Mile To Arrive After Leaving Dallas Behind".
26. (2015-02-19). "Plano-native, Trinity Christian alum Will Zalatoris to make PGA Tour debut". Dallas News.