In 1900, the Seventh-day Adventist Church established an elementary school in Phoenix, Arizona. After several years, it developed into an intermediate school. As the membership of the Arizona Conference of Seventh-day Adventists grew, the student enrollment of the school increased until the need for an academy was strongly felt. Originally titled Arizona Academy, the school began in 1920 when six acres of land were purchased northeast of Phoenix. In the summer of 1920, two dormitories were constructed, and classes were taught in the basements and first floors of these buildings as Arizona Academy began.

In 1953, the Arizona Conference purchased Thunderbird Army Airbase Number Two, which included almost 800 acres of land, from the U.S. government. The school was relocated to the former airbase, and renamed Thunderbird Adventist Academy. Classes, student and staff housing, and all other activities were originally held in the barracks and hangers left behind by the army. Over the years property has been sold to finance various buildings and improvements. New classrooms, administration building, dormitories and cafeteria were built in the 1970’s, and most of the old army buildings are now gone.

In 1973, the name was changed to Thunderbird Adventist Academy and an extensive building program was begun which resulted in the current school facility. A thriving industrial program provided employment for students up until the late 1990’s and early 2000’s, when the furniture factory, laundry, and packaging businesses were sold. The current campus consists of eighty acres, and includes industrial and residential property in addition to the actual physical school plant.

Today, TAA is owned and operated by the Arizona Conference of Seventh-Day Adventists.