Previously an educational facility for adults with special needs, the property is set up perfectly for a school and was a great fit for Lighthouse. The ample space and classrooms will be the new home to the middle and high school students at the Lighthouse Private Christian Academy Milton campus.
CEO and Superintendent Joanna Johannes says everything fell into place with the closing and this new campus was definitely a “God thing.”
Thanks to the generosity of Mike Papantonio and his associates and being able to trade another Lighthouse property, Lighthouse Milton campus will be expanding for the next school year.
The new campus will open numerous new opportunities for the school, such as agriculture and the 4-H program. The 5-acre property features a large greenhouse and outdoor gardening area, as well as fields of blueberries and a blueberry shop.
The Lighthouse team plans to revitalize the farm and remodel the inside of the buildings to create a refreshed learning environment.
“We are going to have all hands on deck for the renovations,” Johannes said. “We have some hoops to jump through with the county, but they know our issues and we plan to get everything done as quickly as we can to get this school ready for our students.”
If all goes to plan, the new Milton school plans to be open for classes in August for this upcoming school year.
This new campus is located at 6225 Dixie Rd, which is less than two miles from their current Milton campus at Milton First Assembly of God, which is at capacity with 100 students. They average about 15 students per class.
The students truly love going to school here because it is different than anything they’ve experienced in education before.
“Learning should be fun,” Milton campus principal Andrea Johnson said.
The Mission of Lighthouse Private Christian Academy is to inspire students to have a love and joy for learning, for a lifetime, by providing a transformational, Christ-centered education.
“It’s always about the kids and providing them what they need to succeed,” Athletic Director and head baseball coach Ricky Broxson said. “I’ve taught a lot of these students in science, and they are all bright, every single one of them.”
For students that want to gain college credit in high school, Lighthouse provides dual enrollment for students that are academically ready.
Athletics are a huge part of Lighthouse and what helps set them apart. They are committed to excellence on and off the field while teaching the students godly values and developing integrity.
In the 2024 school year, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy won the state championship for football, basketball and baseball in the Sunshine State Conference. Many of the students are involved in teams and look forward to practice and games after school. Lighthouse is looking to expand their cheerleading team. They currently have a varsity team and want to grow their program to cheer at more games, such as junior varsity. The school also recently started a drumline for the high school students, which the kids are very excited about.
“We take care of each other, and the student body takes care of each other. We’re like a giant family. It’s a school, but we’re all connected, and we pride ourselves on being kind to one another,” Principal Johnson said.
The Word of God is embedded into everything Lighthouse does and all the curriculum is based off scripture.
“A lot of parents just want their kids to be in a safe environment and we provide that,” Johnson said. “Through this safe environment, they’re finding love, they’re finding Jesus, they’re finding themselves, they’re becoming leaders.”
The students shine not only with integrity and spiritual maturity, they also shine academically.
“Their grades are awesome. Everyone at my campus is passing all their classes. I have several straight A students because they just reach for the stars,” Johnson said.
Elliot Roman, a 10th grader at Lighthouse Milton campus and a baseball player, is known as the president of the Milton campus student council, although this is only his first year at Lighthouse.
“I’m excited to try and help the school as much as I can,” he said. “I hope that some of these new ideas we’re having for the new campus can come to life. I love the more hands-on approach we’re going to have with some of the activities we’re doing like the greenhouse. I’m excited to see how it goes.”
Sophomore Addison Freytag, who also plays on the baseball team and is on the new drumline, is excited for this upcoming season and school year. He has attended public schools and private schools but has never has a principal that has cared as much as Principal Johnson.
“She kind of led me on the right path,” Freytag shared.
“They’re all my children. I know every one of them,” Johnson said as she smiled.
“I say, ‘Hey Mom!’ every time I go to school,” said 9th grader Rylee Levins, who frequents the principal’s office just to catch up and get advice.
Levins loves Lighthouse because it’s different from public school.
“The teachers and principal care about the students and are like your best friends,” she said. “In public school they sometimes don’t even know your name. They’d be like, ‘remind me who you are again,’ but you go into Mrs. Johnson’s office, and she can tell who you are by your footsteps.”
Levins said it makes her feel comfortable in her learning environment, and she’s not embarrassed to go up and ask for help.
Chloe Matthews, an 8th grader at Lighthouse Milton Campus, has some farm animals at home and is excited for the agriculture expansion at the new campus. She loves Lighthouse because she feels like she can be her authentic self.
“I didn’t really believe in God when I went to public school because you’d get bullied and everything, but when I came here, I realized I could open up and be me and believe in God.”
Lighthouse Private Christian Academy
lighthousepca.com
K-6th grade Milton Campus: 6123 Dogwood Dr., Milton, FL 32570
7th-12th grade new Milton Campus coming Aug. 2025: 6225 Dixie Rd., Milton, FL 32570