Discover Parkway

Our Purpose

The ultimate goal of Parkway Christian Academy is to educate boys and girls from a biblical worldview while pursuing academic excellence for the glory of God. We aim to develop Christian boys and girls into mature disciples of Jesus; capable of and dedicated to accomplishing His will for their lives. We believe that includes an assurance of their personal salvation by faith, maintaining academic excellence, and learning to live a disciplined life of conviction and responsibility. We desire to work with parents in bringing their children up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.

Our Statement of Faith

  1. We believe in the plenary, verbal inspiration of the Old and New Testament Scriptures in the original autographs and that these writings are inerrant and supreme and final in all matters of doctrine and life.
  2. We believe in one God eternally existing in three persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe in Jesus Christ’s deity and humanity, His conception by the Holy Spirit, His virgin birth, His bodily resurrection, and His personal, visible return with power and great glory.
  3. We believe that man being created by a direct act of God was a righteous, free, moral being; that he sinned and thereby incurred the penalty of physical and spiritual death not only for himself, but also for the entire human race, with the result that we are all sinful by nature.
  4. We believe that Jesus Christ, by His substitutionary death on the cross, made salvation possible for all who will receive Him as their only Savior; that these, who are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, will never perish; and that it is utterly impossible for anyone to be saved except by Jesus Christ.
  5. We believe that the universal, invisible church is composed of all believers; that the local, visible church is a congregation of baptized believers in a particular locality associated for worship, fellowship, service, and the observance of the ordinances; that this local church is independent and the only authority over it is that of Christ and the Word of God.
  6. We believe that God has commanded that no intimate, sexual activity be engaged in, outside of a marriage between a man and a woman. We believe that any form of homosexuality, lesbianism, bisexuality, incest, adultery, and pornography are sinful perversions of God’s gift of sex. We believe that God disapproves of and forbids any attempt to alter one’s gender by surgery or appearance. We believe that the only legitimate marriage is the joining of one man and one woman.

Our History

Parkway Christian Academy has been used of God to train thousands of boys and girls in the Lakeland area for over 40 years. Parkway Christian Academy began as Temple Christian School in 1974 under the leadership of Dr. Cham McMillen. The name Temple Christian School was changed to Highlands Christian Academy under the leadership of Pastor John Richardson. In 2018, Pastor Peter Grant officially changed the name of Highlands Christian Academy to Parkway Christian Academy.

Throughout the years, Parkway graduates have distinguished themselves throughout the community. PCA (K5-12th Grade) is fully accredited with NCPSA (National Council for Private School Accreditation), and is a member of SSACS (Sunshine State Association of Christian Schools) and AACS (American Association of Christian Schools). The PCA VPK/K4 Program is fully accredited through NACSAA (North America Christian School Accrediting Agency) and has received Gold Seal Accreditation from the Department of Children and Families Office of Child Care Regulation.

PCA is primarily college preparatory in its academic emphasis.

Our Community

As a pre-kindergarten – 12th grade campus, our students are part of a community that builds intentional relationships and provides academic programming that is aligned across all grade levels.  Our students represent several churches in the Lakeland area and come from all of our surrounding communities.

Our Programs

Our vigorous academic programs have consistently resulted in state and exam scores that culminate in a graduation rate of 100%.  We are members of the American Association of Christian Schools (AACS), SSACS (Sunshine State Association of Christian Schools), and accredited with NACSAA (North American Christian School Accrediting Agency).  A wide variety of extra-curricular activities offer students the opportunity to participate in band, choir, and drama.

Administration

Scott Jenkins

Head of School

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B.S. in Biology, minor in Chemistry: University of North Carolina at Charlotte

M.S. in Microbiology and Immunology: Wright State University

Ph.D. in Cancer Biology: Wake Forest University

Amy Lewis

Lower School Principal

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B.A. Elementary Education: Landmark Baptist College

M.S. Educational Leadership: Bob Jones University (In Progress)

Randy Padgett

Upper School Principal

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B.S. General Studies, Mathematics: Bob Jones University

M.S. Educational Leadership: Bob Jones University (in progress)

Elementary Faculty

Jovita Evans

VPK, K4

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VPK Lead Teacher Certification

Florida Child Care Professional Credential

Sharon Page

VPK, K4

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B.A. Early Childhood and Elementary Education: Southeastern University

V.P.K. Lead Teacher Staff Credential 

ESOL Certification 

Vicki Boyette

VPK Teacher’s Aide

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VPK Teacher’s Aide Certification

Brittany Gamble

VPK Teacher’s Aide

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VPK Teacher Aide Certification, CDA (In Progress)

Florida Child Care Professional Credential

Caroline Nipper

K5

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B.S. Psychology, Minor in Religion and Human Services: Southeastern University

Maria O’Carroll

K5

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B.S. Communication Studies: Palm Beach Atlantic

M.S. General Counseling: Palm Beach Atlantic

Lorraine Brunkhorst

1st Grade

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B.S. Elementary Education: University of South Florida

ESOL endorsement

Jessica McLaughlin

1st Grade

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B.S.  Elementary Education: Pensacola Christian College

Kierstin Boyd

2nd Grade

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B.S.  Elementary Education: Polk State College

Associates in Liberal Arts: Polk State College

Sheryl Hallman

2nd Grade

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B.S. Elementary Education: University of South Florida

M.Ed. ESE: University of Florida (in progress)

M.Ed. Reading: Laval University (in progress)

Carrie Lacey

3rd Grade

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B.S. Elementary Education: University of Central Florida

Reading Endorsement; ESOL Certified 

M.Ed Teaching and Learning: Bob Jones University (In Progress) 

Arielle Pagod

3rd Grade

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A.A.A.  Childhood Ministry: Bob Jones University

B.S. Professional and Educational Studies: Bob Jones University

Elisa Killough

4th Grade – Math, Science, Bible

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B.S.  Elementary Education: Bob Jones University

Jessica Kreeger

4th Grade – Math, Science, Bible

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A.A. Liberal Arts and Science: Grand Rapids Community College

B.S. Elementary Education: Bob Jones University (in progress)

Lindsay Flood

4th Grade – ELA, SS

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B.S. Elementary Education: Murray State University

M.A. Special Education, Mild Mental Disabilities: Murray State University

Amy Thompson

5th Grade – ELA, SS

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B.S. Elementary Education: University of South Florida

Reading Endorsement

Bri Sutton

5th Grade – Math, Science, Bible

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A.A. Liberal Arts: Polk State College

B.S. Criminal Justice: Polk State College (In Progress)

Marquette Wolfe

Para Teacher (K-1)

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Associates in Child Development: Belmont Technical College

Middle & High School Faculty

Xochitl Abbott

Learning Center

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Joel Bonet

High School Math 

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B.S. Interdisciplinary Studies: Keiser University

A.S. Information Technology: Keiser University

Brad Brown

Bible, Discipleship

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Chasity Cedeno

High School History

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B.A. Elementary Education: University of South Florida

Emily Clements

Art

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B.S. Visual Studies, Graphic Design Concentration: Bob Jones University

Shelbie Effler

Athletic Director, P.E.

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B.S. Sports Management: Bob Jones University

Mark Evans

School Counselor

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A.A. General Education: Cleveland Community College

B.C.E. Secondary Education: Veritas Baptist College

M.M. Bible and Theology: Veritas Baptist College

M.A. Biblical Counseling: Luther Rice College and Seminary (In Progress)

Ed.D. Community and Care Counseling with Traumatology Cognate: Liberty University (In Progress)

Deborah Briggs

Middle School English

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James Lewis

P.E.

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Julianna Gonzalez

Middle School Bible

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B.A. in Performance Studies, Minor in Bible

Kim Harthun

High School Science

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B.S. in Education, Biology, Minor in Administration: Concordia Teachers College

Brooke Keith

ESE Teacher

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B.S. Special Education: Bob Jones University

Brandon Keith

Middle School History

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B.S. Middle School Education: Bob Jones University

Katherine Knisley

Band, Music

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B.M.E. Music Education, French Minor: Bob Jones University

Heidi Pillion

Middle School Science

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MSN Nurse Education, BSN Nursing: University of West Georgia

Dawn Robinson

Media Specialist

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Associates in Child Development: Belmont Technical College

Menette Siasoyco

Learning Center

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B.S. Physical Therapy: Velez College of the Philippines

B.S. Elementary Education: Medina College of the Philippines

Emily Strickland

Music, Speech, Dramatic Productions

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B.F.A. Musical Theatre: Samford University

M.Ed. Curriculum and Instruction: Liberty University (In Progress)

Anora Totman

High School English

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B.S. in Bible, Secondary English Ed: Clark Summit University

M.A. Professional Counseling: Liberty University (in progess)

French Certificate: Laval University

Clarissa Wells

Middle School Math

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B.S. Elementary Education, Middle School Math Cognate: Liberty University

Staff

Janey Edwards

Photography, Media

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Certificate of Biblical Studies: Millar College of the Bible of Canada

Certificate of Photography: Southern Alberta Institute of Technology of Canada

Kailey Gregory

 Admissions Coordinator

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Natalie Grant

Nurse

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Sandy Mize

Cafeteria Manager

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Food Manager Certification

Austin Redman

Finance

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B.A. Accounting: Pensacola Christian College

Jeff Shuler

Facilities Director

Heather Smith

Registrar, Executive Assistant

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B.S. Elementary Education: Clearwater Christian College

Anja Strobel

Wellness Coordinator

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Accreditation & Ethics

Parkway Christian Academy is a member of:

Parkway Christian Academy VPK/K4 Program is fully accredited through:

Parkway Christian Academy VPK/K4 Program has received Gold Seal Accreditation from the Department of Children and Families Office of Child Care Regulation:

In compliance with Senate Bill 1712, the Ethics in Education Act, sections 1002.421 and 1006.061, please be informed that:

  • All employees have a duty to report actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. The law provides immunity from liability if you report. You have a duty to comply with all child protective investigations. The statewide toll-free abuse hotline number is 1-800-96ABUSE.
  • The process to report misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student is to immediately notify in writing or personal communication (in person or via telephone, 863-646-5031) one of the following contacts:
    • Dr. Scott Jenkins, Head of School
    • Pastor Peter Grant, Chair of the PCA Advisory Board

Failure by employees to report cases of abuse or misconduct carry a penalty up to and including termination.

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