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(850) 542-7828

Locations in Pensacola, Milton, Gulf Breeze and Mary Esther FL

08:00 - 04:30

Monday to Friday

lighthouse private christian academy donate

logo

(850) 542-7828

Locations in Pensacola and Gulf Breeze FL

08:00 - 04:30

Monday to Friday

History

lighthouse private christian academy history

In 2004, our area was devastated by Hurricane Ivan. Many of us lost our homes and three of the four preschools in our area were closed permanently.  Being the mother of two small boys I decided that I needed to help the parents in the community, but I just did not know how.

One day after the hurricane, my boys and I were sitting on the white sandy beach in front of our yard that once held our home standing tall. As we sadly looked back at the rubble, I stared into the sky for God to give me the right words to say to my sons. As I was looking at the blue sky with lofty clouds, I started to see the clouds form into children’s faces. The more I looked, the more children’s faces I saw. They were laughing, crying, singing, and smiling. It was at that moment I knew that God wanted me to start a school for children that would provide a healing, nurturing, environment.  I had a mission.

Although I own an auditing company and had many years of entrepreneurial experience, I did not know where to start in establishing a school for children. I contacted child care services and found out that although I had a Masters in business, I still needed to get many certifications and attend college again in order to have the educational background necessary to run and operate a school.  From that day forward, I spent my days with my sons and my nights studying and going to school.  I would go to sleep at 3am and get up at 6am with my boys.  After finishing my child care credentials and obtaining a degree in Montessori teaching, I began hiring the best teachers in town.  I interviewed many women, but only hired experienced, Christian women with loving, caring hearts. I wanted the best staff for the children of NW Florida.  My auditing company continued to grow without my daily direction and soon I had enough funds to not only start the school; but to buy four acres of land and build the structures and classrooms needed to give the children a school that they could be proud of.

God continues to bless our Lighthouse school, and in 2012 we established our third campus in downtown Pensacola. Our children have been provided with the best teachers, most advanced faith based curriculum available, and the environment that they need in order to blossom and grow.  We believe that it is the educator’s responsibility to assist the parents in foster the child’s spirit.  We have a 1 to 9 teacher to student ratio so that we can provide children with the attention that would allow them to reach their academic peak while having their questions quickly answered and needs met.

I now see that Hurricane Ivan was a blessing to my family as God may have intended Lighthouse to be an integral part of the Christian education movement in this area.  God is present in our school every day. He is in our prayers before eating and in our daily lessons. But, most importantly, he lives in the hearts of our teachers and our grateful, beautiful Lighthouse children.

Joanna Johannes, Founder/Headmistress