Tracy Robinson

Tracy Robinson lives in Hickory, NC with his wife, Gayle. The Robinsons have six children, five of whom graduated from Hickory Christian Academy, with the youngest recently completing his senior year at HCA in 2024. Tracy grew up in a Christian home, became a believer in Christ at a young age, and graduated with a degree in math and physics from Appalachian State University in 1992. He taught for five years in the public schools before his oldest daughter became school age. At that time, the Robinsons discovered classical Christian education at Hickory Christian Academy, became parents, and eventually gained employment, believing there was much more to education than the government had to offer. He has been the Head of School at Hickory Christian Academy for the past 24 years. During that time, HCA has grown from 175 students to 515, in addition to employing more than 70 faculty and staff, and has acquired over $14 Million in buildings and land. HCA has been a member of the Association of Classical and Christian Schools since 1997, and has been fully accredited since 2015.

2024 Speaker Topic

Twenty-year (or more) veterans share lessons learned

Panel I—Board Members: Building Long-term Head of School Leadership

This panel, made up of Ty Fischer, Keith Phillips, Tracy Robinson, and Andy Shapleigh, all veterans in the classical Christian education community, will take 8 minutes to share the most important thing(s) that a board can do to support a head of school. The intent is to help increase longevity for school heads. The goal would be to leave 15 to 20 minutes for Q&A after the group finished speaking.

Panel II—Heads of School: This Isn’t Easy–Help Anyone?

This panel, made up of Ty Fischer, Keith Phillips, Tracy Robinson, and Andy Shapleigh, all veterans in the classical Christian education community, will take 8-10 minutes to give their younger self the best piece of advice, and then share one mistake that they made during their tenure. There will be 15 to 20 minutes for Q&A after the panel finishes speaking.