Leadership Team

Dr. James E. Taylor became the Head of School at Hebron Christian Academy on July 1, 2020, and his visionary leadership and pastor’s heart continue to shape and strengthen the HCA community. Under his guidance, HCA has grown in enrollment, academic offerings, and campus facilities, while remaining steadfast in its mission to provide a Christ-centered education.

Within weeks of his arrival, Taylor spearheaded a $2.8 million capital campaign to expand the Lower School. The campaign, supported by an anchor donor and over 30 contributors, enabled the addition to open in the fall of 2021. In his first year, a commitment to one-to-one technology for students was fully funded and implemented at a cost of over $1 million, revolutionizing the school’s approach to education.

The transformation continued with the launch of a campaign during his second year to expand the F Building, resulting in a new dining hall and a 500-seat Broadway-style theater, both of which opened in the fall of 2023. In partnership with SAGE Dining Services, Taylor introduced a full-service hot lunch program, ensuring meals for all students and staff.

A pivotal moment in Taylor’s tenure came with the launch of Lions Learning Academy (LLA), a groundbreaking school dedicated to serving special needs students. Opening its doors in the fall of 2024, LLA is where special education and faith intersect to create transformative opportunities for children and families. LLA celebrates every student as God’s perfect creation, fostering their unique potential and providing unparalleled support. In its inaugural year, LLA welcomed 17 students across three classrooms, offering a therapy-based education model that integrates learning and developmental therapies into the school day. Entering its third year in the fall of 2026, LLA has expanded to six classrooms and 45 students. 

The future Lions Learning Academy will be a beacon of innovation and hope. Located on a new 13-acre parcel of land on HCA’s main campus, this state-of-the-art facility will feature a therapy pool, a full-court gym, cutting-edge technologies such as a holodeck, and a training center to equip other schools and churches to serve students with intellectual disabilities. When complete, LLA will have the capacity to educate and minister to 250 students, from K3 through 12th grade, reshaping Christian education and impacting families around the globe.

Taylor also oversaw a 7,800-square-foot expansion of the G Building, which opened in the summer of 2026 and further strengthened HCA’s Middle School facilities. The project added the Sperring Legacy Center, a versatile gathering space that can accommodate up to 381 people with seating for 169. The center is named in honor of the late Rev. Lance R. Sperring, who founded Northeast Atlanta Christian School, the school that later became Hebron Christian Academy, in 1984. The expansion also provided a new art room, two additional classrooms, a teacher workroom, and a beautiful outdoor patio. Together, these additions created new opportunities for learning, creativity, collaboration, and community while transforming the area into an inviting entrance to Burlingame Field.

Under Taylor's leadership, HCA continues to prioritize excellence in all areas, including athletics. Set to break ground in the near future, the Hebron Athletic Performance Center will be a transformative addition to the campus. The centerpiece of this state-of-the-art complex is a 10,000-square-foot weight room featuring cutting-edge sprint and exercise spaces, designed to enhance student-athletes' performance and training. The facility will also include multiple locker rooms to accommodate HCA’s growing teams and a commercial laundry facility to efficiently manage uniforms. This new complex will not only address the needs of Hebron’s thriving sports programs but also serve as a hub of athletic excellence and a lasting source of pride for the entire school community.

Taylor’s career in Christian education spans 33 years, including 27 in senior leadership roles. Before joining HCA, he spent 15 years at Calvary Day School in Savannah, nine of which were as Head of School. He first assumed the role of Head of School in 2000 at New Testament Christian School in Norton, Massachusetts.

Dr. Taylor earned a B.A. in English from Messiah College, where he was named Pennsylvania Student Teacher of the Year in 1993. He also holds an M.A. in Literature and an Ed.S. in Educational Leadership from Bridgewater State University, and an Ed.D. in Educational Administration from Georgia Southern University.

Dr. Taylor and his wife, Karen, celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary in June 2026. Karen is a third grade teacher at Hebron Christian Academy and “Minnie” to their grandchildren, Emily and Levi. Their daughter, Alyssa, is a nurse, and her husband, Ryland, is a pastor. They are the proud parents of Emily and Levi. Their son, Colton, teaches mathematics at Hebron Christian Academy, while his wife, Ella, works remotely in the communications department of a Birmingham, Alabama, law firm. Colton and Ella were married in January 2024.

“We need to be smart enough to know that we aren’t smart enough. Get out of the way, and let God have sway.”

Dr. James E. Taylor