The Klingon Naval Academy was one of the Klingon Empire's Military Academies founded by Kahless. It was based at Dek'Go'Kor and had more resources at its disposal than the most powerful of the Great Houses. It used these to fuel technological development such as warp and impulse dynamics.
Klingon Houses approached the Naval Academy when they were ready to commission a ship. After arranging payment, the Academy sent a renwl', an architect, to design a ship based on the House's specifications. As Houses may not appreciate the compromises needed to produce an effective ship, renwl's have to be prepared for violent disagreements and so are amongst the most physically impressive and skilled non-warriors in the empire. As such, it is a position of great honor as it allows commoners to tell the the nobility that they are wrong. (Klingon Bird-of-Prey Owners' Workshop Manual)
Fanon continuities[]
In an alternate timeline where Data was rescued from Omicron Theta by the Klingon Defence Force instead of Starfleet, General ShiVang requested the Academy examine the android to see if he was sentient. A renwl' manager, Kardak, ran a series of tests on Data. He reported the android had passed, which meant ShiVang had a case against Bruce Maddox's attempt to claim Data as Federation property. (Data, son of Soong)