The Colonial Academy represented a place of learning that started its operations before the Galactic Empire's emergence in 19 BBY, before its rise. Everi Chalis, a human woman, signed up for classes at the academy to escape her homeworld, choosing to leave the planet and pursue artistic studies. Some period of time following the Empire establishing itself, Chalis's academic pursuits at the school caught the eye of the Imperial Count Denetrius Vidian, resulting in him presenting her with an apprenticeship opportunity. Later, in 3 ABY, Chalis described her time spent at the academy to First Sergeant Hazram Namir of the Rebel Alliance.
Alexander Freed initially brought up the Colonial Academy in his 2015 novel, Battlefront: Twilight Company.