The first classes were held in the Hazel Green Masonic Hall, before a permanent school building was erected downtown in 1885.

At the invitation of the Founders, in 1886, the Kentucky Christian Woman's Board of Missions (CWBM), a sisterhood of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), assumed operation of the financially ailing school.

By 1919, the CWBM was enveloped in the new United Christian Missionary Society (UCMS) which sponsored the Academy.

Its last Director was Robert "Sandy" Goodlett and the last Principal was Bob Dailey.

In its earlier years, the Academy was called the "Athens of the West" and the "Mother Mountain School" as it preceded other private, missionary and public schools in its 20 county service area by several years.