The Academy is pleased to announce Dr. Brandon Barkley will be transitioning from his current role as Head of Upper School to take on the role of Associate Head of School for Education beginning in June. 

Since his arrival to CPA in 2021, Dr. Barkley’s passion for high-quality Christian worldview instruction has consistently improved the academic program for grades 9-12. His mission-forward leadership in aligning curriculum, instruction, and student achievement will prove essential to CPA’s strategic educational goals. While overseeing academics, Dr. Barkley will ensure that teaching and learning Academy-wide synchronizes, giving students in all schools the tools they need each year to build knowledge and explore their unique design and divine purpose.

“The past four years with CPA Upper School have been filled with joy and growth for myself and my family. As I step into this new role, I look forward to helping build a culture of collaboration across the Academy, as we seek to build a model of excellence for a biblically faithful and highly effective education that will empower our students to experience transformation through education,” Dr. Barkley remarks. 

While Dr. Barkley is beloved among students and faculty in Lumen Hall, his hands-on, relational leadership style will continue to impact day-to-day life and learning, and now benefits all students preschool-12. Please join us in congratulating Brandon, his wife Katie (CPA MS Counselor), and their children in this new venture! 

In tandem with this change, Academy leadership proudly announces Assistant Head of Upper School Bryant Gunter as the new Head of Upper School beginning in June. 

Bryant has a Masters in Educational Leadership and has worked in education since 2012  teaching, coaching, and leading at Ravenwood and Nolensville high schools. He joined the CPA Upper School administration in 2022 and quickly demonstrated an impressive ability to build strong relationships and community within the upper school. His heart for students, teachers, and families, as well as his knowledge of educational best practices will serve the upper school community well in this new season. 

“Over the past three years as Assistant Head of Upper School, it has been an honor to begin building lasting relationships with our families, faculty, and students. It is a privilege to carry out the Christ-centered education and discipleship fostered under Brandon’s leadership. This is truly a full-circle moment for my family, as we have been greatly impacted by the faithfulness and legacy of this community. I couldn’t be more excited to continue this legacy and partner with the CPA community in shaping a spiritual inheritance that will impact generations to come,” says Bryant. 

Please join us in congratulating Bryant, his wife Ginny Mello Gunter (CPA Class of 2007), and their children in this new venture!

We are profoundly grateful to have both of these individuals leading on this campus. Academic excellence remains core to our mission in helping students come to know God, evaluate all knowledge and all life by His truth, and live transformed by His truth for His glory.