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, which is why I started this journey. But Krown Academy™ isn't just for at-risk youth. It is for anyone who refuses to accept the low expectations of traditional education. From AP scholars and state-champion athletes to those who just need a radically different system to succeed—this environment is engineered to force you to win.
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
A full curriculum with digital textbooks that are completely aligned to state standards. Powered by the Krown Instruction Engine™, we enforce strict mastery-gated pacing. Every student gets a 1:1 Chromebook. Self-paced. Individualized. No child falls through the cracks.
The Athletic Pillar
Elite athletic development for all sports. Whether on the court, the field, or the mat, we build champions. While wrestling serves as our inaugural cornerstone sport, our premier athletic programs are actively expanding. The arena 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
Krown Kore™ Digital Curriculum
A full curriculum with digital textbooks that are state standards and scope and sequence aligned completely. Preparing students with college readiness. 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.
Mastery-Gated Assessments
Our proprietary Krown Instruction Engine™ enforces strict pacing. Students complete 4 days of rigorous coursework before an administrator physically unlocks their 5th-day assessment. No student can fake progress, and nobody slips through the cracks.
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
Krown Kore™ Digital Catalog
Through our Krown Kore™ curriculum, 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
Elite Athletic Programs
Our elite athletics are built on a foundation of discipline, accountability, and mental toughness. Coached and guided by championship-level staff, our athletes train to perform under pressure and excel in high-stakes environments.
Starting with wrestling as our inaugural cornerstone, Krown Academy offers tailored athletic time for student-athletes to refine their craft in Basketball, Football, Track & Field, Soccer, Baseball, and Softball. Our programming integrates specific sport fundamentals with elite strength and conditioning.
Competitive Calendar
Premier National Exposure
Every year, Krown Academy athletes receive premier exposure to collegiate recruiters. For our inaugural wrestling program, this includes traveling to Pennsylvania for Prep Nationals—an elite stage for our athletes to shine.
Learn MoreThis 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
Student & Parent Portal
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? +
$7,900/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.