Earn Your
Krown.
Athletics. Academics. Mentoring. A private school for at-risk youth and student-athletes in Winston-Salem / Kernersville, NC. $0 tuition for qualifying families.
Bring Me Metal. I'll Make You a Hammer.
I'm Kendall Nelson. I hold degrees in Sociology and Psychology. I'm a championship level wrestling coach and owner of K-Vegas Elite Wrestling Club. I was once an at-risk youth myself.
I know what it feels like to be written off. I know what It's like to need someone, just one person who sees your potential when nobody else does. That person, for my students, is going to be me.
Krown Academy is built on three pillars: rigorous academics, championship-level athletics, and intentional mentoring. These aren't departments, they're the DNA of everything we do.
"The pessimist complains about the wind. The optimist expects it to change. At Krown Academy, we adjust the sails."
Kendall
Krown Academy operates as a program of KVegas Elite Inc, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 33-4622985).
One Standard of Excellence
The Academic Pillar
College-preparatory digital curriculum through Acellus, supplemented by AI-powered Ticket Owl'd The Door assessments and teacher-led direct instruction. Every student gets a 1:1 Chromebook. Self-paced. Individualized. No child falls through the cracks.
The Athletic Pillar
Championship wrestling as our cornerstone. Structured PE for non-wrestlers. USA Wrestling nationals. Prep Nationals in Pennsylvania every year. The mat teaches what the classroom alone cannot: resilience, accountability, and performance under pressure.
The Mentoring Pillar
Every student has a mentor. Every day begins with Morning Mindset. Weekly 1-on-1 meetings. Sports psychology. Journaling. Built from Kendall's Sociology and Psychology training and personal experience as an at-risk youth.
Three Layers of Learning
Acellus Digital Curriculum
Self-paced, video-based instruction in every core subject. Students work at their own level — a 7th grader in pre-algebra and a 10th grader in Algebra 2 sit side by side, each learning at their own pace. Accredited and aligned with national standards.
Ticket Owl'd The Door
Kendall's AI-powered exit ticket platform. Every day, every student completes an assessment that measures what they actually learned. Real-time data. No student can fake progress.
Teacher-Led Instruction
Kendall isn't a passive monitor. Mini-lessons, small groups, 1-on-1 tutoring, Socratic discussions, and hands-on projects. The human element that makes the digital curriculum work.
Daily Schedule
Path to the Krown
100% College Readiness Guarantee
We guarantee 9th-12th grade parents that Krown Academy meets and exceeds every high school graduation and university admission requirement. Your child will not miss a single credit necessary to step onto any college campus in the country.
English
Mathematics
Science
Social Studies
Health & PE
Foreign Language
Acellus Digital Catalog
Through our partnership with Acellus Academy, our students have on-demand access to a massive catalog of core and elective courses, including:
- • Full Core Curriculum (Honors & AP available)
- • Advanced Placement (AP) Biology, Calculus, US History
- • Career & Technical Education (CTE) Pathways
- • Foreign Languages (Spanish, French, German)
- • Coding, Computer Science, and IT Basics
- • Fine Arts and Music Appreciation
Signature Offline Seminars
Beyond the digital core, Krown Academy students participate in exclusive, in-person offline seminars designed to forge character, articulation, and financial dominance.
Expressive Writing & Poetry
A masterclass in voice, reflection, and emotional intelligence. Students learn to articulate their pain, their ambition, and their story through powerful written and spoken word.
Krown Credit Union (Financial Lit.)
Not just a class—a real-world financial simulator. Every junior and senior receives a real $100 deposit to manage, grow, and pitch as startup capital for a student-run business. If their business fails, our "Safety Net" restores their balance so they can fail safely and try again.
Student Degree Audit Portal
Parents and students can securely lookup their personal progress toward graduation. See exactly what credits you have earned and what classes you need next to be college-ready.
Where Champions Are Made
Wrestling Program
Wrestling is our cornerstone sport. Coached by championship-level Kendall, our wrestlers compete at the highest levels from Day 1. The mat teaches discipline, accountability, mental toughness, and the ability to perform under pressure.
Students who prefer not to wrestle participate in structured PE and functional fitness — bodyweight training, conditioning, agility, and sport fundamentals. Krown Academy will not stop with just wrestling, Basketball, Track, and Football are on the horizon.
Competitive Calendar
Prep Nationals — Pennsylvania
Every year, Krown Academy travels to Pennsylvania for Prep Nationals. This is a premier national preparatory school wrestling event. It's built into our budget and our identity.
Prep NationalsThis Is Why We Exist
Mentoring is not an add-on at Krown Academy. It's woven into every day. Designed by Kendall from his degrees in Sociology and Psychology and his own experience as an at-risk youth.
Morning Mindset
Affirmations, gratitude shares, goal-setting, motivational content. Every day starts with purpose.
1-on-1 Meetings
Every student meets with Kendall individually. Academic review, personal check-in, goal-setting, specific recognition.
Sports Psychology
Journaling with structured prompts. Visualization. Breathing exercises. Processing the day's challenges.
Group Sessions
Identity, anger management, gratitude, financial literacy, conflict resolution, college readiness, leadership, service.
Research shows that a single caring adult relationship is the strongest protective factor for at-risk youth. At Krown Academy, every King and Queen has that relationship — guaranteed. With only 15 students and a founder who was once in their shoes, no child is invisible.
Join the Kingdom
How to Enroll
Contact Kendall
Call or text 336-500-4765 or email knelson@krownacademy.org. I'll answer every question personally.
Complete the Online Enrollment Form
Fill out the enrollment application below. I'll walk you through every step.
Apply for Opportunity Scholarship
I help every family apply. Most families pay $0 tuition. Link below.
Submit Required Documents
Student info form, medical clearance, immunization records, device agreement. All available as online forms.
Welcome to Krown Academy
Attend parent orientation, receive your Chromebook, and begin Day 1.
Online Forms
Complete these forms online. Kendall reviews every submission personally.
Need help? Call Kendall directly: 336-500-4765
Your Child Can Attend for $0
State-funded. Pays tuition directly to Krown Academy. Available to ALL NC K-12 families regardless of income. Lower-income families receive larger awards — most of our families qualify for 100% coverage.
I personally walk every family through the application.
Apply for Opportunity ScholarshipAdditional funding ON TOP of the Opportunity Scholarship. For students with documented disabilities. Funds go to a ClassWallet account for tutoring, therapy, S&C, technology, and more.
A qualifying student could receive up to $24,942/year total.
Learn About ESA+Questions? Call Kendall: 336-500-4765 | NCSEAA Helpline: 855-330-3955
Your One-Stop Shop
Parent Portal (Gradelink)
View grades, attendance, handle billing, pay fines/fees, and purchase school merchandise.
Access →School Handbook
Complete guide to Krown Academy policies, schedules, grading, discipline, and expectations.
Access →Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the 11 most common questions from parents about Krown Academy.
Access →Quick FAQ
How much does it cost? +
$7,468/year — fully covered by Opportunity Scholarship for qualifying families. Most families pay $0.
Does my child get a computer? +
Yes. Every student receives a school-issued Chromebook for use in school and at home.
Does my child have to wrestle? +
No. Wrestling is our cornerstone sport, but students who prefer not to wrestle participate in structured PE.
What about mentoring? +
Every student participates daily. Morning mindset, weekly 1-on-1 meetings, sports psychology, group sessions.
What if my child has a disability? +
They may qualify for ESA+ ($9,000–$17,000/year) on top of the Opportunity Scholarship. I'll help you navigate it.
Careers & Volunteering
Krown Academy is built by people who refuse to give up on kids. We are looking for relentless educators, coaches, and mentors who understand that true teaching is about relationships.
Current & Future Openings:
Contact Kendall
I answer every call, every text, every email personally. If you're thinking about Krown Academy for your child, reach out. I'll walk you through everything.