Private School Guide 2019

TO 

PRIVATE 

SCHOOLS 

An advertising special section of The Florida Times-Union

An advertising special section of The Florida Times-Union 

Sunday, January 27, 2019 T2 

2019 Guide to 

Private Schools 

The 2019 Guide to Private Schools aims to shine 

a spotlight on some of the private and independent 

schools available on the First Coast. These institutions 

provide a variety of options for parents wanting 

an educational environment in which their child can 

truly thrive. 

According to the Florida Department of Education's 

Annual Report for 2017-2018, of the 3,203,281 statewide 

total PK-12 student enrollment in the 2017-18 

school year, 370,166 (11.6%) were private school 

students, and 2,833,115 (88.4%) were public school 

students. 

• Compared with the 2016-17 school year, the total 

number of private schools in 2017-18 dropped 

by 13 schools but the total PK-12 enrollment 

increased by 1,845 students. 

• Of the 370,166 students enrolled in Florida private 

schools in 2017-18, 12.3% were enrolled in 

prekindergarten, 7.7% in kindergarten, 34.9% 

in grades 1-5, 20.7% in grades 6-8, and 24.5% in 

grades 9-12. 

• Twenty-three (23) school districts had 10% or 

more of their total PK-12 students enrolled in 

private schools in 2017-18. 

• Eighty-one percent (81%) of personnel employed 

in private schools were classroom teachers and 

19% were school administrators. 

Table of contents 

Bishop Kenny High School..........................................................................................................13 

The Bolles School.......................................................................................................................... 5 

Christ's Church Academy............................................................................................18 

Diocese of St. Augustine.......................................................................................21 

Episcopal School of Jacksonville.............................................................................9 

Greenwood School.....................................................................................................22 

Old Plank Christian Academy.................................................................................................15 

Providence School..........................................................................................................7 

Riverside Presbyterian Day School..................................................................................................11 

San Jose Episcopal Day School.............................................................................19 

St. Johns Country Day School.................................................................................................14 

St. Joseph Academy........................................................................................................17 

St. Mark’s Episcopal School............................................................................................12 

Trinity Christian Academy....................................................................................................10 

A comprehensive directory of private and independent 

schools throughout the state, searchable by 

district, can be found on the Florida School Choice 

website at https://bit.ly/2iJojVm. 

TO 

PRIVATE 

SCHOOLS 

About this section 

The 2019 Guide to Private Schools was produced 

by The Florida Times-Union's Specialty Publications 

department and contributors, with assistance from 

the featured schools. 

Content coordinator: Anne Hammock 

Writer: Jean Sealey 

Advertising Sales Director: Liz Borten 

[PHOTO COURTESY ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL]

T3 Sunday, January 27, 2019

Sunday, January 27, 2019 T4

THE BOLLES SCHOOL 

The foundation for a successful life 

Courage. Integrity. 

Compassion. 

These are the foundational 

qualities of the 

Bolles experience. These 

themes help cultivate 

empathetic students with 

an "All Things Possible" 

approach to life, a passion 

for service and an awareness 

of global community. 

“Throughout my experience 

in independent 

school education, I have 

learned that most schools 

have great strengths in a 

singular sphere: They may 

be strong in sports but not 

in academics, for example; 

they can be leaders in an 

arts education, but weak 

in their athletic pursuits; 

or they may emphasize 

academics but offer scant 

opportunity for servant 

leadership. This is not 

the case at Bolles,” said 

Bolles President and 

Head of School Tyler 

Hodges. “Our academic, 

arts, athletics and service 

offerings are equally as 

robust. This is a tremendous 

blessing — and 

profound responsibility 

for an anchor institution 

in Northeast Florida.” 

The Bolles School is 

home to approximately 

1,600 day and boarding 

students in grades Pre-K 

through 12. Founded 

in 1933, Bolles features 

four diverse and coeducational 

campuses: the 

Lower School Whitehurst 

and Ponte Vedra Beach 

Campuses, the Middle 

School Bartram Campus 

and the Upper School San 

Jose Campus. 

The Resident Life 

program can accommodate 

more than 90 male 

and female students from 

around the world. This 

year, students are from six 

The fine and performing arts are essential to the Bolles experience, with opportunities available for students to hone strengths 

in multiple mediums. Shown is a drawing class on the San Jose Campus. [PHOTOS BY MARK KRANCER/THE BOLLES SCHOOL] 

Students on both Bolles lower school campuses, including 

these future engineers from the Lower School Ponte Vedra 

Beach Campus, utilize classroom robotics resources as 

part of their science lessons and can compete on school 

robotics teams, as well. 

U.S. states and 26 different 

nations. These students 

help create a unique 

international educational 

environment for themselves 

and their peers 

— both boarding and day 

students. 

Bolles offers a comprehensive 

fine and 

performing arts program 

with courses in drama, 

dance, visual arts, chorus, 

music and band. Among 

middle and upper school 

students, 80 percent 

It’s all smiles on the Bolles Middle School Bartram Campus, 

where students make new discoveries in art, music, 

academics, service and athletics on a campus all their own. 

Teacher John Ezzell (left) helped these eighth-grade students 

design their own catapults during a recent science lesson. 

enrolled in fine and performing 

arts classes this 

year, while 100 percent 

of lower school students 

are involved in art, music 

and theater instruction. 

Bolles hosts more than 40 

on-campus and gallery 

receptions each academic 

year. 

Academically, Bolles 

offers courses in five 

languages (including 

Chinese and Japanese) and 

22 Advanced Placement 

Courses. A global context 

Bolles Office of Admission 

(904) 256-5030 

admission@Bolles.org 

Bolles.org 

Facebook.com/ 

TheBollesSchool 

Twitter.com/BollesSchool 

Instagram.com/ 

BollesSchool 

is paramount to the Bolles 

experience. In addition 

to on-campus activities 

and language study, Bolles 

offers exchange programs 

with schools in Spain, 

Japan, China and France, 

and academic and service 

travel opportunities to 

Italy, Guatemala and the 

Florida Keys. The School’s 

athletic successes are 

known worldwide with 

61 sports teams at the 

middle, JV and varsity 

levels. Most students, 90 

percent, participate in one 

or more sports at Bolles. A 

total of 59 Bolles students 

or former students 

have participated in the 

Olympics over the years, 

and 13 Olympic athletes 

from Bolles have won 20 

medals. 

Students from the Class 

of 2018 qualified for more 

than $5.1 million in meritbased 

scholarships and 

the 190 graduates were 

accepted to 207 different 

colleges. Bolles students 

understand that pursuing 

excellence through 

courage, integrity and 

compassion is not only 

the school motto, but the 

foundation for a successful 

life. 



PROVIDENCE SCHOOL 

Challenging academics, strong Christian community 

Located just a few 

short miles from 

Jacksonville's beautiful 

beaches, Providence 

School is a Christian, private 

college preparatory 

school serving more than 

1,400 students in grades 

PreK-12. Since opening 

in 1997, Providence has 

developed into one of the 

premier private schools 

in Florida. Continued 

growth in academics, 

athletics and fine arts 

have elevated Providence 

students to the highest 

level of achievement. 

While tuition remains 

lower than other college 

preparatory schools 

in the area, Providence 

continues to provide an 

excellent education at an 

affordable price. 

It is one of the few 

schools in the area where 

you can find a seamless 

preschool through 

12th-grade education 

that incorporates rigorous 

college preparatory 

academics, an awardwinning 

fine arts program 

and a competitive FHSAA 

athletic program in a 

Christian environment. 

More than 29 honors 

classes, 17 Advanced 

Placement courses, two 

dual enrollment courses 

and two foreign languages 

are offered at Providence. 

Beginning in preschool, 

technology is used as 

an innovative teaching 

tool, designed to enhance 

the classroom experience 

and equip students 

for success in today’s 

technology-driven world. 

Access to technology 

and STEM gives our 

students greater opportunities 

to learn, engage, 

communicate and 

develop skills that will 

prepare them for work, 

life and citizenship. 

Providence School offers a seamless preschool through 12th-grade education that 

incorporates rigorous college preparatory academics, an award-winning fine arts program 

and a competitive FHSAA athletic program in a Christian environment. [PHOTOS COURTESY 

PROVIDENCE SCHOOL] 

Technology is used as an innovative teaching tool, designed to enhance the classroom 

experience and equip students for success. 

From preschool to 

advanced physics, our 

faculty integrate Biblical 

truth into the lives and 

education of our students. 

Every student 

participates in weekly 

chapel and daily Bible 

classes as part of their 

schedule. Spiritual 

growth is emphasized 

on campus through 

our student-led chapel 

services. 

With 10 state championships 

and more than 

32 FHSAA appearances, 

Providence School’s 

tradition of athletic leadership 

is going strong. 

Providence has 42 boys' 

and girls’ athletic teams, 

with one of the strongest 

athletic programs in 

North Florida, designed 

to enhance the overall 

educational experience. 

Every year, Providence 

seniors commit to play at 

the college level and some 

have excelled to professional 

athletics. 

Fine arts courses offer 

students the opportunity 

to explore and nurture 

their God-given talents, 

and to share these 

gifts in significant ways. 

Every year Providence 

hosts several performance 

events including 

choral concerts, band 

performances, dance 

recitals and theatrical 

productions. 

Providence students 

have performed at some 

of the most prestigious 

theaters in America 

including the Biltmore 

Estate, Disney World 

and Carnegie Hall. 

Artwork from students 

who have competed 

in various contests is 

displayed throughout the 

city and on permanent 

display at the Capitol in 

Washington, DC. 

Our distinguished 

alumni are doctors, 

lawyers, politicians, artists, 

scientists, actors, 

professional athletes and 

teachers. 

They have attended 

schools like Princeton, 

Georgetown, Duke, 

Temple, West Point and 

the U.S. Naval Academy. 

They share a common 

spirit which exemplifies 

academic excellence, 

unique talents and gifts 

and a passion to fulfill 

God’s plan for their lives. 

Providence School 

2701 Hodges Blvd., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 223-5370 

Prov.org 

Fast facts 

1,424 students 

65-acre campus near the 

beaches 

Fully accredited 

15:1 student-teacher ratio 

Daily Bible classes, weekly 

chapel 

87% of students scored 

higher than national 

average 

850 families representing 

more than 140 churches 

Class of 2018 facts 

$19.8 million offered in college 

scholarships 

100% college acceptance 

85% earned merit-based 

scholarships 

102 graduates attending 40 

colleges, universities and 

service academies 

“From the first day I 

entered the halls of 

Providence, I could 

sense an intangible 

feeling of love and 

support.” 

Haley Muldrow - University 

of North Florida, Class of 

2016 



EPISCOPAL SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE 

Preparing students for next step in life 

Located on the banks 

of the St. Johns 

River, Episcopal 

School of Jacksonville is a 

renowned co-educational 

institution serving grades 

6-12. The school historically 

sends 100 percent 

of its graduates to top 

colleges and universities 

across the country. 

An Episcopal education 

rests on Four Pillars 

— Academics, Athletics, 

Fine Arts and Spiritual 

Life — which collectively 

build a solid foundation 

for students’ lives beyond 

graduation. 

Episcopal embraces 

a learner-centered 

approach to education 

in which students are 

actively engaged in the 

learning process. 

A hallmark of the 

school’s learner-centered 

environment is 

the Harkness Method, 

a method of teaching in 

which students are seated 

around a large table, 

empowering them to direct 

the discussion, rather than 

the traditional classroom 

where the teacher lectures 

and students take notes. 

The Harkness Method 

requires all students to 

share the responsibility for 

the discussion and requires 

them to be prepared to 

participate. 

Episcopal teachers, all 

of whom are experts in 

their field of study, utilize 

the Harkness Method and 

other learner-centered 

pedagogy to foster students’ 

ability to think 

critically, work collaboratively 

and cultivate 

ownership of their ideas 

within the group. 

To further prepare 

students for their next step 

in life, Episcopal college 

A hallmark of academics at Episcopal School of Jacksonville is the Harkness Method, a method of teaching in which 

students are seated around a large table, empowering them to direct the discussion. [PHOTOS BY LAURA EVANS/EPISCOPAL 

SCHOOL OF JACKSONVILLE] 

counselors work one-onone 

with students from 

ninth grade until graduation. 

Counselors maintain 

personal contacts with 

admissions offices across 

the country, host seminars 

for parents and work 

diligently to find students’ 

best college fit. 

Episcopal’s athletics 

program recently benefited 

from $17 million in capital 

improvements, which 

included a new 1,000-seat 

football stadium, a new 

aquatic center, 10 USTA 

tennis courts and a baseball 

training facility. This 

capital campaign also completed 

the development of 

the 28-acre Knight Sports 

Campus, which features 

sports fields, a lacrosse 

wall, cross country trail and 

field house. 

The school’s new and 

renovated athletic facilities 

now match the excellence 

of its athletic programs 

and the caliber of its 

coaches, most of whom 

played at the collegiate 

The centerpiece of 

Episcopal School of 

Jacksonville’s fine 

arts program is the 

Munnerlyn Center for 

Worship and Fine Arts, 

where students not 

only get to perform, 

but may also learn the 

behind-the-scenes 

technical aspects of 

creating a show. 

and/or professional level. 

Episcopal fields more than 

60 teams and has a no-cut 

middle school sports 

policy, allowing every 

student the opportunity to 

benefit from the learning 

opportunities provided by 

team sports. 

The centerpiece of 


Jacksonville’s third pillar, 

its fine arts program, is 

the Munnerlyn Center for 

Worship and Fine Arts. 

Student-made paintings, 

sculptures and 


Jacksonville 

4455 Atlantic Blvd., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 396-5751 

ESJ.org 

projects are displayed in 

the entrance gallery. The 

Munnerlyn Center has 

a 700-seat auditorium 

facing a state-of-the-art 

stage complete with a fly 

system and orchestra pit. 

Students not only get to 

perform, but may also 

learn the behind-thescenes 

technical aspects 

of creating a show. 

The visual arts complex 

holds digital photography 

labs, painting and drawing 

studios, as well as a 

ceramics lab. 

The Fine Arts faculty 

at Episcopal is comprised 

of professional artists 

who are passionate about 

fostering an appreciation 

for the arts, further developing 

artistic skills and 

uncovering hidden artistic 

talents in our students. 

Episcopal’s fourth 

Pillar, Spiritual Life, 

encourages students to 

deepen their commitment 

to their community and 

their faith through weekly 

chapel services and a 

broad array of opportunities 

to serve others. 

Episcopal welcomes 

students, faculty and 

staff from all or no faith 

traditions, with the belief 

that engaging with one’s 

faith and understanding 

the perspective of others 

enriches all other aspects 

of learning. 



TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 

Guiding students academically, 

spiritually and socially 

Trinity Christian 

Academy is a fully 

accredited private 

school serving students 

from K3 through 12th 

grade. For more than 50 

years, Trinity Christian 

Academy has provided 

Jacksonville families with 

a caring and safe environment 

for their children 

to achieve a high-quality 

education that builds their 

character and prepares 

them for life. 

Through academic 

excellence, caring teachers 

and enriching programs, 

Trinity Christian Academy 

offers an innovative 

learning community 

that advances students 

in body, mind and spirit. 

Our diverse student body, 

college prep classes and 

award-winning fine arts 

and athletics programs 

help students discover 

their passions while gaining 

the academic and 

biblical foundation they 

need to succeed in school 

and life. 

The lower division 

consists of K3 through 

6th grade, with highly 

qualified, certified teachers 

providing a strong 

foundation for education, 

spirituality and life 

skills development. The 

program is enhanced 

by S.T.E.A.M., chapel, 

music, physical education, 

Spanish, technology, 

athletics and the library. 

The upper division 

encompasses 7th through 

12th grade. Teachers 

are well equipped in 

instructing their students 

academically, spiritually 

and socially, with the 

primary academic purpose 

of preparing students for 

college. 

Trinity has the largest 

dual enrollment program 

in Northeast Florida. This 

program was created 

with the goal of allowing 

students to make great 

strides toward earning an 

AA degree while in high 

school. 

Trinity's class of graduating 

seniors is awarded 

nearly $2 million annually 

in scholarships to 

universities and colleges 

Trinity Christian 

Academy 

800 Hammond Blvd., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 596-2337 

TCAJax.org 

throughout America. 

A thorough guidance 

counseling program helps 

students stay on track and 

learn about scholarship 

opportunities. 

Trinity boasts a long list 

of successful graduates, 

which include state politicians, 

community leaders, 

musicians, military 

personnel, professional 

athletes, physicians, 

lawyers, educators and 

doctoral researchers. 

Better, safer, happier, 

brighter. That’s Trinity. 

For admissions questions 

or to schedule a 

tour, visit TCAJax.org 

or contact Erika Davis, 

Admissions Director, at 

(904) 596-2337. 

Trinity Christian Academy features a diverse student body, college prep classes and awardwinning 

fine arts and athletics programs to help students discover their passions while 

gaining the academic and biblical foundation. [PHOTO COURTESY TRINITY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY]

RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL 

Nurturing mind, body and spirit 

For 70 years, 

Riverside 

Presbyterian Day 

School has had a passion 

for foundational childhood 

education that uniquely 

lays the building blocks for 

a lifetime of learning. Our 

mission is to educate the 

mind, nurture the spirit 

and foster the development 

of the whole child. 

Our dynamic educational 

program reflects this commitment 

and is designed 

to build knowledgeable, 

well-rounded and critical 

thinking individuals who 

respect the differences of 

others in preparation for 

life in a global community. 

We provide a childcentered 

learning 

environment for PreK-3 

through sixth-grade students 

that is dedicated to 

imagination and wonder. 

Our talented faculty shares 

a challenging academic 

program, designed to 

unwrap the joy of learning 

through discovery and 

reflection. Our students 

learn to value and respect 

the unique qualities inherent 

within themselves. 

Our teaching and 

learning community 

understands that a quality 

education cannot come 

exclusively from the 

transition of facts from 

teachers to students, but 

must be comprised of an 

integrated and interactive 

approach, where 

instruction focuses on the 

attainment of knowledge 

through discovery and 

reflection. To achieve this, 

we employ various methods 

of instruction in order 

to cultivate the intellect 

while developing ideas and 

skills required for lifelong 

learning and citizenship. 

Our students thrive 

when they are presented 

with meaningful, engaging 

lessons that challenge 

them to question, explore, 

analyze and present 

their newly acquired 

knowledge. 

At RPDS, we believe 

children's educational 

experiences should be 

memorable, rewarding 

Riverside 

Presbyterian Day 

School 

830 Oak St., Jacksonville 

(904) 353-3459 

RPDS.com 

and point them in the 

direction of their dreams. 

We invite you to visit our 

campus and discover the 

advantage of a Riverside 

education. See firsthand 

how your child can grow 

in knowledge, faith and 

experience as he or she 

joyfully engages with other 

students and faculty. 

We will host a Lunch 

& Learn event on 

Wednesday, Feb. 6, at 

11:30 a.m. Enjoy lunch and 

a panel discussion with 

our early learning team to 

explore our developmental 

approach to education. To 

RSVP or learn more, visit 

RPDS.com/events. 

T11 Sunday, January 27, 2019 

Riverside Presbyterian Day School provides a child-centered learning environment for 

PreK-3 through sixth-grade students that is dedicated to imagination and wonder. [PHOTO 

COURTESY RIVERSIDE PRESBYTERIAN DAY SCHOOL]


ST. MARK'S EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 

Inspiring learners, creating leaders 

St. Mark’s Episcopal 

Day School’s purposeful 

approach to 

learning provides children 

of all faiths, age 1 

through sixth grade, the 

opportunity to discover 

their unique gifts while 

acquiring a deep academic 

foundation. 

Elementary-focused 

As an elementary 

school, we focus on 

preparing our students 

for the future while also 

savoring the wonder, 

magic and innocence of 

childhood. 

We maintain an ideal 

balance of challenge, 

nurture, structure and 

choice: one that fosters 

belonging, acceptance 

The faculty at St. Marks creates stimulating classrooms where 

students can explore, ask questions, take intellectual risks and 

work collaboratively. [PHOTO COURTESY ST. MARK’S EPISCOPAL DAY 

SCHOOL] 

and community; emphasizes 

achievement and 

progress through hard 

work and effort; and 

stimulates, inspires and 

engages young minds and 

attitudes. 

Top early learning 

program 

Our unique playbased 

program provides 

a safe environment for 

1- and 2-year-olds to 

develop and attempt new 

things. Accredited by the 

National Association for 

the Education of Young 

Children, it provides the 

highest quality education 

available for young learners. 

Hands-on approach 

Children learn best 

through fascinating 

experiences. Our talented 

faculty create stimulating, 

supportive classrooms 

where students can 

explore, ask questions, 

take intellectual risks and 

work collaboratively. 

Students are exposed to a 

wide variety of subjects, 

including engineering and 

design, music, art, world 

languages, daily physical 

education and service 

learning. 

Enriching activities 

A robust after-school 

program offers a wide 

range of activities for all 

ages and interests. We 

field four competitive team 

sports in third through 

sixth grades, including 

basketball, volleyball, flag 

football and soccer. Other 

after-school activities 

include dance, tumbling, 

chess, karate, cooking, 

Spanish and much more 

Learn and lead 

As students mature, they 

develop the trademark 

qualities that St. Mark’s 

students are known for: 

confidence, passion, strong 

character and resilience. 

Graduates transition fully 

prepared to succeed in 

St. Mark's Episcopal 

Day School 

4114 Oxford Ave., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 388-2632 

StMarksDaySchool.org 

middle school, high school 

and beyond. 

Beautiful learning 

space 

St. Mark’s is blessed 

with a beautiful campus. 

Whether it is a science 

class learning about root 

systems in our gardens, 

or a one-on-one reading 

session under the shade of 

a canopy oak, our students 

spend time throughout the 

day outside. Nothing compares 

to meeting our faculty 

and watching our students 

learn and play. Call today to 

schedule your personal tour.

BISHOP KENNY HIGH SCHOOL 

An education with meaning, purpose and service 

Bishop Kenny High 

School is a four-year 

Catholic, collegeprep 

high school with 

a diverse population of 

1,200 students. In addition 

to traditional academic 

courses, a wide variety of 

AP, STEM, honors, elective 

and fine arts offerings are 

available. 

Strategic academic 

planning and continued 

investment in technology 

ensure that Bishop Kenny 

students graduate with the 

STEM skills necessary for 

success in a digital world. A 

dedicated team of teachers, 

coaches, and counselors 

work together to ensure 

that Bishop Kenny seniors 

are eligible for acceptance 

to the college or university 

Bishop Kenny High School Principal Todd Orlando (at left) 

and SGA Advisor Scott Sberna (at right) are pictured with 

members of the school’s student council, which raised 

more than $10,000 for relief efforts following Hurricane 

Michael last fall. [PHOTO COURTESY BISHOP KENNY HIGH SCHOOL] 

of their choice. 

Safety first 

The safety and security 

of students is our primary 

responsibility. In addition 

to the daily presence of an 

off-duty JSO officer and 

policy of limiting perimeter 

access to campus during 

the school day, a monitored 

system of 109 surveillance 

cameras and regularly 

scheduled drills for weather 

and other emergencies is in 

place. 

Faith 

Equally important to 

Bishop Kenny’s academic 

program is the continued 

faith formation of its 

students. Helping young 

people develop a strong 

faith-life, a moral compass, 

a social conscience, and 

the desire to live lives that 

include service to those 

in need — all are foundational 

to the Bishop Kenny 

experience. 

Athletics and 

activities 

Athletics and extracurricular 

activities round 

out the school day for 

most students. The Bishop 

Kenny Crusaders have 

a reputation for being 

competitive athletes that 

demonstrate leadership 

and good-sportsmanship. 

More than half of Bishop 

Kenny students participate 

on one or more of 36 

varsity, JV and freshman 

athletic teams. Nearly all 

students participate in at 

least one of 40 academic or 

service clubs. 

Legacy 

Since 1952, Bishop Kenny 

students have been trained 

to lead lives of meaning, 

purpose and service. Each 

year hundreds of legacy 

families make Bishop 

Kenny their choice because 

they know the experience 

lasts a lifetime. 

Bishop Kenny 

High School 

1055 Kingman Ave., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 398-7545 

BishopKenny.org 

Class of 2018 

at-a-glance 

99% enrolled in college and 

earned $12.49 million in 

college scholarships 

292 graduates earned 449 

scholarships 

59% earned a Florida Bright 

Futures Scholarship 

Students consistently score 

well above national and state 

scores on the SAT and ACT 

Step-Up for Students, 

AAA, McKay and Gardiner 

Scholarships accepted 



ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL 

College prep, redefined 

Since 1953, St. Johns 

Country Day School 

has been helping 

First Coast families raise 

children who are inquisitive, 

creative, inspired 

and inspiring. With its 

amazing faculty, first-rate 

academics, robust visual 

and performing arts, 

exciting trip opportunities 

and championship athletics 

programs, St. Johns 

is perfectly positioned 

to help you prepare your 

child not just for college, 

but for life. 

Academics 

Rigorous coursework 

combined with the 

Character Foundations 

personal development 

course and rich fellowship 

and intern programs 

give St. Johns students 

ample opportunity 

to stretch, learn and 

grow. Fellowships allow 

students to conduct 

deep-dive explorations 

of particular topics 

through customized, 

self-directed courses 

of study that integrate 

academics, interactive 

projects, online studies, 

career internships 

and service. St. Johns is 

also one of only a handful 

of local schools to offer 

The College Board’s AP 

Capstone program — an 

innovative diploma program 

that helps students 

develop the skills that 

matter most for college 

success: research, 

collaboration and 

communication. 

Arts 

St. Johns’ robust visual 

and performing arts programs 

encourage students 

to explore the arts and 

cultivate creativity and 

growth among students of 

all skill levels. Last year, 

35 student-artists were 

recognized for 64 artworks 

in the prestigious annual 

Scholastic Art & Writing 

Awards competition. 

Band, choral and handbell 

programs couple with 

dance and the dramatic 

arts to ensure that the 

school’s beautiful 600 seat 

Performing Arts Center 

has a robust schedule of 

events. 

Athletics 

St. Johns students 

excel both in and out of 

Rigorous coursework combined with the Character 

Foundations personal development course and rich 

fellowship and intern programs give St. Johns students 

ample opportunity to stretch, learn and grow. [PHOTO 

COURTESY ST. JOHNS COUNTRY DAY SCHOOL] 

the classroom, as its top 

notch athletics program 

proves. It’s hard to miss 

the Spartans in the sports 

news as the school’s Girls 

Varsity Soccer team has 

been the state champs for 

seven straight years now 

and local press regularly 

lauds the school’s soccer, 

baseball, softball, basketball, 

cross country and 

other teams. The school’s 

location (just off Doctors 

Lake) facilitates its rowing 

program and the championship 

swimming pool, 

track and two gymnasiums 

— plus soccer, football, 

baseball and softball fields 

St. Johns Country 


3100 Doctors Lake Drive, 

Orange Park 

(904) 264-9572 

SJCDS.net 

— round out the athletics 

facilities. 

Visit today 

Come learn more about 

this beautiful school and 

community and how it 

can help your family. St. 

Johns Country Day School 

serves children from age 

3 through Grade 12 on 26 

beautiful acres in easily 

accessible Orange Park. 

Call or click today to 

schedule a personal tour: 

sjcds.net/tour or (904) 

264-9572. Applications for 

the 2019-2020 school year 

now being accepted.

OLD PLANK CHRISTIAN ACADEMY 

Caring teachers, excellent Christian curriculum 

and 

succeeding” is 

“Smiling 

how Principal 

Gary Griffis describes a 

new student at Old Plank 

Christian Academy. 

“It is amazing to watch 

a new student who is 

nervous about attending 

a new school find a place 

of success and friendship 

at our awesome school.” 

Griffis also said, “One 

of our goals is to create a 

positive atmosphere and 

climate where students 

can quickly adjust, acclimate 

and succeed.” 

The motto, “Where 

Students Succeed with 

Excellence,” permeates 

the OPCA family. The 

students at Old Plank 

Christian Academy 

know that success is 

At Old Plank Christian Academy, the teacher-to-student 

ratio is 18:1 and the school offers a curriculum from pre-K 

(age 3) to 12th grade. [PHOTO COURTESY OLD PLANK CHRISTIAN 

ACADEMY] 

the only option. OPCA 

highly encourages family 

involvement in the school. 

“Parent involvement 

is one of the keys to 

extraordinary student 

success," said Griffis. 

"Parent involvement is 

welcome!” 

According to the Rev. 

Larry McGinley, pastor 

of Old Plank Road Baptist 

Church, the primary goal 

of OPCA is to teach students 

to live a successful 

Christian life by learning 

and applying the principles 

of the Bible. 

“Our ministry is to lead 

people of all ages to faith 

in Jesus Christ and disciple 

them,” McGinley said. 

Secondly, the academy 

is committed to cultivating 

success spiritually, 

academically and socially 

through caring, degreed 

teachers and excellent 

Christian curriculum. 

The teacher-to-student 

ratio is 18-to-1 and 

the school offers a curriculum 

from pre-K (age 

3) to 12th grade. 

OPCA Elementary 

students are challenged 

with creative teaching 

methods using the ABEKA 

curriculum. They also 

enjoy enrichment, computer, 

library and recess. 

The Old Plank Christian 

Academy Middle and 

High Schools offer rigorous 

academic courses 

designed for college preparatory 

study. Electives 

include computer, sign 

language, band, chorus, 

weightlifting, home 

economics, physical education 

and others. 

The OPCA Defenders 

have a wide variety of 

varsity and JV athletics. 

Football, volleyball, 

basketball, soccer, cross 

country, baseball and girls 

softball are all played competitively 

(winning many 

Old Plank Christian 

Academy 

8964 Old Plank Road, 

Jacksonville 

(904) 783-6942 

OldPlankCA.com 

district and state titles). 

Old Plank Christian 

Academy is accredited 

through the Florida 

Coalition of Christian 

Private Schools 

Accreditation, Inc. The 

FCCPSA proudly maintains 

an accreditation 

partnership agreement 

AdvancED/SACS. Old 

Plank Christian Academy 

is also accredited by the 

National Association 

of Private Schools, and 

graduates are readily 

accepted into accredited 

colleges and universities. 



ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY 

Faith-based approach to education 

St. Joseph Academy’s 

faith-based approach 

to education meets 

and frequently exceeds 

expectations for an academically 

exceptional education 

that equips students to live 

their Christian beliefs in a 

world often beset with injustice, 

weak compassion and 

rampant overindulgence. 

A four-year college 

preparatory school, St. 

Joseph Academy in St. 

Augustine was established 

in 1866, making it the oldest 

continuously operating 

Catholic high school 

in Florida. It is accredited 

by the National Catholic 

Education Association, the 

Florida Catholic Conference 

and the Florida High School 

Athletic Association. 

The curriculum at St. Joseph’s typically includes four credits 

of theology, English, math and science; three credits of social 

studies and foreign language; and one credit each of physical 

education and the practical or performing arts. [PHOTO COURTESY 

ST. JOSEPH ACADEMY] 

The school’s small class 

size gives students the 

advantage of a highly desirable 

student-to-teacher 

ratio of 14-to-1. The 23 

faculty professionals have 

an average of 13.5 years of 

experience, and 60 percent 

have advanced degrees. 

The curriculum at St. 

Joseph’s typically includes 

four credits of theology, 

English, math and science; 

three credits of social studies 

and foreign language; and 

one credit each of physical 

education and the practical 

or performing arts. Four 

credits of electives complete 

the required 28 credits for 

graduation. Honors courses 

in English, science, social 

science, math, foreign 

language and drama and 

advanced placement courses 

in calculus, statistics, studio 

art, psychology, American 

government and world history 

allow students to pursue 

a variety of interests and 

career choices. 

These factors combine 

to give the 2018 St. Joseph 

Academy graduating class 

the distinction of seeing 

100 percent of its graduates 

enrolling in a higher education 

program for the 18th 

consecutive year. 

Built on a solid foundation 

of Catholic principles and 

faith traditions, St. Joseph 

Academy is dedicated to 

developing well-rounded 

graduates equipped to meet 

the challenges of today’s 

world at home, in the 

workplace and in the global 

community while following 

Christ. A close-knit nurturing 

environment exists in 

the classroom, on the athletic 

field, extracurricular 

activities and through every 

aspect of school life. 

The school’s vision is that 

graduates will be morally 

responsible adults “with 

a well-developed commitment 

to social justice, 

St. Joseph Academy 

155 FL-207, St. Augustine 

(904) 824-0431 

SJAweb.org 

an enhanced faith in Jesus 

Christ and ready to face the 

21st Century historically 

grounded by a rigorous educational 

experience.” 

The decision-making 

process at St. Joseph 

Academy seeks to provide 

an equal opportunity for 

each student to become 

a knowledgeable, selfdirected, 

compassionate 

Christian, able to face the 

challenges of the future with 

faith, hope and love.” 

To learn more about St. 

Joseph Academy, visit the 

school website or contact 

Patrick Keane at patrick. 

keane@sjaweb.org to 

schedule a personal tour. 



CHRIST'S CHURCH ACADEMY 

Superior scholarship in a Christian atmosphere 

Leadership. 

Scholarship. 

Discipleship. 

Sportsmanship. At 

Christ’s Church Academy 

these words are a banner 

of daily importance as 

students and staff strive to 

amplify Christ-honoring 

choices in their lives. 

When choosing a private 

school in Jacksonville, 

academic and extracurricular 

offerings are of the 

utmost importance for 

scholastic success, but 

the true value of Christ’s 

Church Academy is that 

the school offers all of 

these programs within a 

Christian, family focused 

atmosphere. 

Christ’s Church 

Academy offers a kindergarten 

through 12th-grade 

Christ’s Church Academy incorporates a full college 

preparatory program that offers AP and honors classes 

as well as dual enrollment opportunities. [PHOTO COURTESY 

CHRIST’S CHURCH ACADEMY] 

education incorporating 

a superior academic 

curriculum, state ranked 

athletics program, and 

award-winning fine 

arts program all within 

a nurturing Christian 

environment. 

Located on a quaint 

9-acre campus in the 

Mandarin neighborhood 

of Jacksonville, Christ’s 

Church Academy has 

more than 31 regular 

classrooms, four music 

rooms, two computer 

labs, two art suites, an 

expansive media center, 

and cafeteria dining area. 

CCA holds chapel services 

and events in its 

campus auditorium, but 

also has a full gymnasium, 

a high school courtyard, 

two playground areas, a 

fenced recreational area 

and a 10-acre athletic 

complex that includes 

baseball, softball, and 

football fields. 

Boasting full accreditation 

from four national 

and state organizations, 

and a 100 percent college 

acceptance rate for 

students, CCA proudly 

incorporates a full college 

preparatory program 

that offers AP and honors 

classes as well as dual 

enrollment opportunities. 

Christ’s Church 

Academy alumni have 

gone on to become engineers, 

nurses, doctors, 

missionaries, teachers 

and have pursued a 

variety of other exciting 

professions. 

Students and staff 

share a common mission, 

which magnifies Christ in 

all that they strive for and 

seeks to fulfill God’s plan 

for their lives in scholarship 

and leadership. 

Choosing Christ’s 

Church Academy means 

choosing academic excellence, 

an award-winning 

fine arts programs, 

state-ranked athletics 

Christ's Church 

Aca’emy 

10850 Old St. Augustine 

Road, Jacksonville 

(904) 268-8667 

CCAJax.org 

teams and an atmosphere 

focused on community 

service and Christian 

discipleship. 

Faculty and staff strive 

to build foundational 

mentoring relationships 

with students through 

Bible courses, discipleship 

groups, weekly chapel 

services, and community 

service projects. 

CCA invests in students 

so that they will strive to 

invest in the community 

around them, aspire to 

succeed in daily life and 

endeavor for greatness 

beyond graduation.

SAN JOSE EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL 

Preparing young people for the next step 

At every level, San 

Jose Episcopal 


(SJEDS) provides a 

nurturing and supportive 

environment, embraces 

the differences inherent 

in a diverse community, 

and embodies the inclusive 

Episcopal tradition of 

respect for the beliefs of 

others. 

We focus on the needs 

of each individual student 

and prepare young people 

not only for the next step in 

their academic careers but 

also for success and satisfaction 

in all areas of their 

lives. By being responsive 

to each student’s needs, 

our students are able to 

grow in faith, character, 

and service to others in our 

family-like community. 

At SJEDS, each individual child is known and nurtured to help discover the passions that will 

set the course for a rewarding life. [PHOTO COURTESY SAN JOSE EPISCOPAL DAY SCHOOL] 

As a child grows and 

develops, classes are 

structured to promote creativity, 

problem-solving 

and critical thinking. 

Beginning in the earliest 

grades, we work to instill 

the characteristics that will 

serve a child well throughout 

the school years and 

beyond. 

By encouraging curiosity 

and exploration with confidence, 

we create learners 

for life. Our teachers 

provide a warm and loving, 

yet academically challenging 

environment in which 

students thrive. 

With small class sizes 

and more autonomy in the 

classroom, teachers are 

able to construct unique 

learning experiences and 

help each student reach 

their fullest potential by 

igniting and engaging their 

desire to learn. 

From the beginning of 

the admission process to 

the day of graduation, we 

become acquainted with 

the individuality of each 

student — who they are and 

who they want to become. 

At SJEDS, each individual 

child is known and nurtured 

San Jose Episcopal 


7423 San Jose Blvd., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 733-0352 

SJEDS.org 

to help discover the passions 

that will set the course 

for a rewarding life. We are 

an active partner with parents, 

empowering them to 

further participate in their 

child’s education. 

We understand that 

parents have many choices 

when selecting a school for 

their child. An education at 

SJEDS is an investment in a 

brighter future with a community 

of support for your 

child. For more information 

or to schedule a personal 

tour, contact Teresa Hall, 

director of admission, at 

(904) 733-0352 or thall@ 

sjeds.org. 



DIOCESE OF ST. AUGUSTINE 

A centuries-old pursuit of truth and wisdom 

The doors to 

Catholic Schools in 

Northeast Florida 

are indeed wide open. 

Wide open to learning. 

Wide open to service. 

Wide open to leadership. 

Wide open to building 

the foundations for a life 

of happiness and success 

through knowledge and 

faith. Wide open to students 

and families who 

want to join a centuriesold 

pursuit of truth and 

wisdom. 

The eight early learning 

centers, 24 Catholic 

grade schools and five 

Catholic high schools 

throughout Northeast 

Florida give daily witness 

to these principles. 

Our schools feature 

rigorous academics. Our 

classrooms are filled with 

committed and passionate 

teachers. The teachers 

demand excellence, hard 

work and creative thinking. 

They also have the 

freedom and training to 

recognize the best way 

each student learns. 

Excellence in athletics 

and extracurricular activities 

is a rich tradition 

in our Catholic schools. 

Hard work and sportsmanship 

are taught on 

playing fields throughout 

the Diocese. 

A wide variety of sports 

in the elementary and 

middle schools include 

basketball, soccer, volleyball, 

cross-country, 

softball, golf and flag 

football. At the high 

school level a variety of 

sports include football, 

baseball, swimming, 

wrestling and lacrosse. 

Our Catholic schools in 

North Florida are places 

for free and striving 

exploration of the arts. 

Our schools offer a variety 

of programs in fine 

The success of Catholic school graduates in virtually every walk of life in Northeast Florida illustrates the abundant spirit 

of learning, service and leadership taught by the Diocese of St. Augustine. [PHOTOS COURTESY DIOCESE OF ST. AUGUSTINE] 

art, music and theater 

that tap into the essence 

of the human experience 

at a young age and teach 

children the wonders of 

human creativity and 

beauty. 

Whether in the classroom, 

playing field or 

studio, there are no 

boundaries to the search 

for excellence and truth. 

We are free to teach the 

full canon of Western 

Civilization and there are 

no limits on our inquiry 

into the origins of the 

universe and the potential 

of God’s people. This 

freedom means that 

Christ is recognized in all 

things and compassion, 

ethics and the dignity of 

every human being are the 

true curriculum. 

Catholic schools 

naturally produce leaders. 

By living lives of faith, 

rigorous pursuit of the 

truth and a strong sense of 

service, children naturally 

learn to lead and understand 

that only by serving 

can one be a great leader. 

You don’t have to take 

our word for any of this. 

A simple visit to the 

Catholic schools of the 

Diocese of St. Augustine 

demonstrates that this 

spirit of learning, service 

and leadership is 

abundant. 

The success of Catholic 

school graduates in virtually 

every walk of life in 

Northeast Florida is also 

powerful evidence. 

Our schools have produced 

eminent leaders in 

North Florida in business, 

law, medicine and 

politics. 

The consistent theme 

of the lives of these 

leaders is marked by lessons 

learned in Catholic 

schools. Their commitment 

to faith and 

reason, service to others 

and a core understanding 

of what it means to 

do the right thing, were 

learned at an early age 

and are exhibited in their 

lives of service to the 

community. 

The excellent education 

Catholic schools offer 

quite literally spans the 

universe and it’s open to 

all in Northeast Florida. 

Any family that wants 

their child to pursue 

truth and beauty in an 

atmosphere of academic 

excellence, intellectual 

curiosity and service to 

others, will find the doors 

of our schools open wide. 

Catholic Schools 

Week -- Jan. 27 to 

Feb. 2 

National Catholic Schools 

Week 2019 will be observed 

in dioceses around the 

country from Jan. 27 to Feb. 

2, including the Diocese 

of St. Augustine. This 

year’s theme, “Catholic 

Schools: Learn. Serve. 

Lead. Succeed.,” focuses 

on the important spiritual, 

academic and societal 

contributions provided by 

a Catholic education firmly 

rooted in the truth of the 

Gospel. 

In celebration of Catholic 

Schools Week, all schools 

in the Diocese of St. 

Augustine welcome you 

to visit and learn more 

about the benefits of a 

Catholic education. An 

open house will be held in 

each of the schools within 

the 17-county region of the 

diocese on Wednesday, Jan. 

30, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 

To find a school near you, 

visit ChooseCatholicSchool. 

com or call the Office of 

the Superintendent at (904) 

262-0668. 

The Diocese of St. 

Augustine is comprised 

of eight early learning 

centers, 24 Catholic grade 

schools and five Catholic 

high schools throughout 

Northeast Florida. 



GREENWOOD SCHOOL 

A different way of teaching, a better way of learning 

Greenwood School 

is a unique school 

for students in 6th 

through 12th grades who 

are challenged by learning 

differences and/or need 

a smaller academic environment. 

Greenwood’s 

highly-trained faculty 

guides students in a rigorous 

academic curriculum that 

is enhanced and supplemented 

by the abundant 

natural resources of the 

Greenwood School campus, 

which includes 10 acres 

of protected wetlands for 

environmental, conservation 

and wildlife studies and 

research partnerships, as 

well as outdoor classroom 

areas that provide inspiring 

settings for a wide variety 

of academic pursuits and 

overall wellness benefits to 

Greenwood students benefit from interscholastic athletics, 

including archery. [PHOTO COURTESY GREENWOOD SCHOOL] 

staff and students. 

In addition, Greenwood 

facilities include indoor 

and outdoor fine arts 

facilities for chorus, band, 

drama, art and dance, a 

fully equipped gymnasium 

and technology-integrated 

classrooms. 

Encouraging growth 

The foundation of 


programs is our specialized 

instruction, which 

includes the expert use of 

research-proven practices 

beneficial to all students, 

but especially to students 

with specific learning 

differences. We provide 

strategies, support and 

accommodations to create 

learning opportunities 

that effectively address 

the individual needs of 

students and enable them 

to experience success with 

a challenging, collegeand 

career-preparatory 

curriculum. 

Approximately twothirds 

of Greenwood’s 

graduates continue on to 

colleges, universities, trade 

and technical schools, as 

well as career-path apprenticeship 

training. 

Average class sizes of 

12 students or less enable 

Greenwood to provide the 

most appropriate balance of 

challenge and support for all 

students; we are recognized 

experts in the education 

of students with a variety 

of challenges, including 

ADHD, auditory and/or 

visual processing delays, 

autism spectrum disorders, 

dyscalculia, dysgraphia, 

dyslexia, executive functioning 

difficulties, general 

anxieties, twice-exceptional/gifted 

students and 

other differences. 

Inspiring opportunities 

Core classes are supplemented 

by enrichment 

courses: art, band, coding, 

drama, graphic design, 

history electives, physical 

education, science electives, 

sociology and many 

other options. In addition 

to academics, Greenwood 

students benefit from 

interscholastic athletics, 


9920 Regency Square Blvd., 

Jacksonville 

(904) 726-5000 

GreenwoodJax.org 

National Honor Society, 

Student Council and a variety 

of other extracurricular 

activities and clubs, such 

as archery, chess, ecology/zoology, 

fencing and 

running. 

The Greenwood Way 

Discussion, modeling 

and mentoring of positive 

character and social responsibility 

are an important 

part of a well-rounded, 

prepared-for-life graduate; 

that’s why Greenwood 

School’s learning environment 

is one of mutual 

respect, kindness and 

accountability — in and out 

of the classroom.

Private School Guide 2019

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