By Lindsey Steinberg
Coral Springs-based Parkridge Church – known communitywide for inspiring church services, educational excellence via the onsite Parkridge Christian Academy (PCA), and, of course, its popular fall Pumpkin Patch – is now looking to gain recognition for a new, soon-to-be launched offering.
Starting this school year (2024-25) PCA High School will officially open its doors.
The inaugural class of PCA High School will grace the school hallways in August and set their sights on graduation in spring 2028. According to PCA Principal, Josh Haluko, the school intends to welcome only 9th graders this school year, then plans to add one grade per year after that. By 2027, 9th through 12th grade enrollment will be offered at the school. Per Haluko, the popularity and success of the lower grades has led to increased demand from parents to add more grades.
“There is strong interest in PCA adding a high school from our current families,” Haluko said. “As the largest and fastest growing Christian school in Coral Springs, they have been asking with increasing fervor for us to start high school over the last several years.”
Nearly one year ago, a meeting between the School Advisory Council and Church Administrative Leadership Team finally set the wheels in motion for PCA High School to become a reality. Accredited by the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), PCA High School plans to offer a full curriculum of all core subjects. In addition, students will have the opportunity to participate in a full list of extra-curricular sports and activities, including Girls and Boys Basketball, Girls and Boys Volleyball, Girls and Boys Soccer, Girls Softball, Boys Baseball, Boys Flag Football, Girls Cheerleading, and Girls and Boys Track & Field.
Aside from traditional curriculum and athletics, Haluko stated that students at the school will have additional one-of-a-kind opportunities that emphasize faith and culture.
“One unique aspect of our high school will be that our students will have the option to earn endorsements in Bible and Spanish, which will involve spending time outside of the classroom,” Haluko said.
Haluko also mentioned that students will be encouraged to do local, national, and international mission work. Currently, Parkridge Church — whose motto is “Love. Serve. Go.” – offers opportunities for all church parishioners to learn more about and take part in missions both in the Coral Springs and Parkland communities and across the globe.
According to a recent school survey, parents of current PCA students had positive things to say about the school. Parent feedback indicated that they feel “the teachers are loving with big hearts who share their faith with the students and help reinforce their Christian values.” The feedback also noted that “there is a lot of communication between the school/teachers and the parents,” among other benefits.
In its first year PCA High School hopes to enroll about 35 students in its first 9th grade class, with more growth planned as grades are added. Looking ahead, it is the hope of leadership that the inaugural class of high schoolers will, not only grow stronger in their faith, but will also reach new heights of future academic success, including eventually earning Bright Futures Scholarships, which will pay their tuition to any public university in Florida.
Enrollment for 9th grade is now open. More information about the Parkridge Christian Academy can be found at Parkridgeca.com.
