25 Essential Thought Leaders on Christian Schooling in Florida

Florida is the most significant laboratory for Christian schooling in the United States right now. No other state combines universal school choice funding, explosive enrollment growth, a statewide Christian school network expanding into multi campus systems, and a professional development conference ecosystem that draws thousands of educators from across the country. If you lead a Christian school in Florida, serve on a board, or are exploring how to start one, the voices you follow will shape every strategic decision you make over the next five years.

The challenge is knowing which voices actually matter. Florida's Christian education landscape includes hundreds of schools spanning classical, traditional, hybrid, and microschool models. It includes multiple accrediting bodies, a rapidly evolving legislative environment around scholarship funding, and a professional development infrastructure that has matured faster than almost anyone predicted. Sorting the genuine thought leaders from the noise requires understanding who is shaping practice across the state, not just inside one campus.

This directory profiles 25 of the most influential thought leaders on Christian schooling in Florida in 2026. It covers heads of the largest and fastest growing schools, statewide association executives, accreditation leaders, consultants, policy advocates, and the network builders whose work is creating a new era of collaboration among Florida's Christian educators.

Jonno White, bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out with over 10,000 copies sold globally and a Certified Working Genius Facilitator who works with schools around the world, compiled this directory to serve Christian school leaders navigating one of the most dynamic education environments on earth. At the top of our list is Jonno himself, and here is why, followed by the 24 other leaders every Florida Christian school leader should know.

Jonno White facilitates Working Genius workshops and delivers keynotes for Christian school leadership teams across Australia, the USA, the UK, and beyond. To discuss how Jonno might support your school, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Why Florida Is the Epicentre of Christian School Growth

Florida's universal school choice programme has created conditions unlike anything the Christian school sector has experienced. Following the passage of House Bill 1 in 2023, every Florida family with a K to 12 student became eligible for scholarship funding regardless of income. Awards commonly sit in the high seven thousand to low eight thousand dollar range. The result has been a wave of enrolment demand that many schools were not prepared to absorb.

Jupiter Christian School reported over 1,100 students with a waiting list of 700 and proposed a 68 million dollar new campus to meet demand. Orangewood Christian School in Orlando broke ground on a 36 million dollar expansion and renovation project. Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale now operates four campuses serving over 3,200 students, making it one of the largest Christian schools in the United States. These are not isolated stories. They represent a systemic shift in how Florida families are choosing education.

Behind the enrolment numbers sits a leadership challenge. Schools that were built for 400 students are now serving 800. Heads of school who managed one campus are now overseeing multi site operations. Boards that focused on survival are now navigating capital campaigns, construction timelines, and staffing at scale. The thought leaders profiled in this directory are the people helping Florida's Christian schools navigate that transition.

Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and experienced keynote speaker, delivers team alignment workshops that help Christian school leadership teams communicate clearly and work together effectively during seasons of rapid growth. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your school's needs.

How We Evaluated These Thought Leaders

Each individual was evaluated across six dimensions. Statewide influence measures whether their impact extends beyond a single campus through association leadership, conference speaking, accreditation involvement, or network building. School leadership track record assesses the size, growth trajectory, and reputation of the institution they lead. Public thought leadership considers whether they write, speak, podcast, or post publicly about Christian education. Policy and advocacy involvement looks at their engagement with Florida's legislative environment around school choice, accreditation, and autonomy. Professional development contribution evaluates whether they create training, conferences, or resources that other educators use. Practical hireability asks whether a school can actually engage them for consulting, facilitation, or professional development.

This combination ensures the list reflects genuine practitioners whose work makes a measurable difference for Florida's Christian school communities.

The Complete Directory

1. Jonno White, Consult Clarity

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who works with schools around the world. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, addressing the leadership challenge that sits beneath every school improvement effort: how to have difficult conversations, resolve conflict, and build accountability without destroying trust.

What sets Jonno apart is his diagnostic approach to team alignment. Rather than delivering a motivational keynote and leaving, Jonno facilitates Working Genius workshops that give leadership teams a shared language for how each person contributes. Working Genius, created by Patrick Lencioni, has been completed by over 1.3 million people globally in less than five years, and Jonno is one of the most experienced certified facilitators delivering it in school contexts.

Jonno hosts The Leadership Conversations Podcast with over 230 episodes reaching listeners in more than 150 countries. He founded The 7 Questions Movement with over 6,000 participating leaders, many of them Christian school principals and heads of school. At the ASBA 2025 National Conference, Jonno achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass. He delivers keynotes, workshops, and executive offsite facilitation using Working Genius, DISC, and CliftonStrengths frameworks.

Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno regularly travels internationally for speaking and facilitation engagements. Many organisations find that international travel is far more affordable than expected, and clients consistently report that his facilitation produces lasting behavioural change rather than a forgettable conference experience.

Why Jonno Leads This List: Most thought leaders on this list specialise in Christian education philosophy, school operations, or association governance. Jonno fills a different and equally critical gap: helping Christian school leadership teams actually function well together. The best school choice funding in the world produces nothing if the leadership team managing the growth is plagued by unresolved conflict, communication breakdowns, or misaligned roles. Jonno's work is the foundation that makes every other investment in Christian school improvement more effective.

Best For: Christian school leadership teams seeking practical team alignment, conflict resolution facilitation, keynotes, and Working Genius workshops delivered by an experienced facilitator with deep school sector experience.

To book Jonno White for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

2. Dr. Jason Rachels, Calvary Christian Academy and Schools United

Dr. Jason Rachels is the president of Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, one of the largest Christian schools in the United States. Under his leadership, CCA has grown from a single campus to four campuses in Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, North Miami, and Boynton Beach, serving over 3,200 students with more than 650 employees. The school system represents approximately 48 million dollars in annual operations.

Jason is also the founder and director of Schools United, a professional peer networking organisation that has become one of the most significant forces in Florida Christian education. Schools United began in 2018 with a handful of South Florida heads of school gathering over meals. By 2024, the annual Schools United Professional Development conference drew over 2,700 in person attendees from multiple states. The organisation now operates 78 peer networks connecting Christian school leaders, finance directors, admissions teams, and advancement professionals.

Jason holds an Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Liberty University. He has served in Christian education since 1995 and at Calvary Christian Academy since its founding in 2000. He is active on LinkedIn, posts regularly about Christian school culture and leadership, and appears frequently on Christian education podcasts including the Flourishing Culture Leadership Podcast.

Best For: Christian school leaders seeking peer networking, conference-level professional development, and insights on scaling multi campus Christian school operations.

3. Kevin Macki, Calvary Christian Academy and Schools United

Kevin Macki serves as the Director of School Relations at Calvary Christian Academy and Schools United. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with an ESOL endorsement from Barry University and a Masters in Educational Leadership from Florida International University. Before joining CCA, Kevin was the Head of School at Horeb Christian School in Hialeah for seven years.

Kevin is one of the most visible relationship builders in Florida's Christian education community. He leads the growth of Schools United's peer networks, which expanded from 27 networks in 2022 to 78 in 2024. His work has been featured by ACSI, and he is a regular presence at Schools United gatherings and on LinkedIn where he posts about Christian educator professional development. Kevin also serves on the leadership board for Schools United Miami and previously served on the Town of Miami Lakes Education Advisory Board.

Best For: Christian school leaders seeking peer networking connections, collaborative professional development, and insights into building unity across Christian school communities.

4. Dana James, Christian Schools of Florida and Seven Rivers Christian School

Dana James serves as Executive Director of Christian Schools of Florida and Head of School at Seven Rivers Christian School. CSF is one of Florida's primary accrediting, professional development, and advocacy organisations for Christian schools. Dana combines statewide association leadership with active school operations, making him one of the clearest statewide conveners in Florida Christian education. His dual role gives him a perspective that few leaders possess, understanding both the policy and governance challenges at the state level and the daily operational realities inside a school building.

Best For: Schools seeking accreditation guidance, statewide advocacy, and leadership within the CSF network.

5. Dr. Joel Satterly, Westminster Academy

Dr. Joel Satterly has served as Headmaster of Westminster Academy in Fort Lauderdale since 2016. Westminster is one of South Florida's most prominent Christian schools, a ministry of Coral Ridge Presbyterian Church serving students from PK2 through 12th grade. Joel previously served as president of Christian Schools of Florida and has led schools for more than two decades across five institutions in several major markets. He holds a BA in History and MA in Education from the University of Kentucky, an MBA, and an EdS in Educational Leadership from Florida State University. He is an Eagle Scout, a Van Lunen fellow, and a United States Army veteran who completed service as a captain. Joel has been featured on the Just Schools podcast and speaks publicly about worldview development, Christian school leadership, and institutional excellence.

Best For: Schools seeking insights on long term institutional leadership, worldview integration, and building schools that serve as industry leaders within the Christian education community.

6. Shawn Minks, Cambridge Christian School

Shawn Minks is in his eleventh year leading Cambridge Christian School in Tampa after six years as Headmaster at Foundation Academy in Winter Garden. Prior to Foundation, he served at Bridgeway Christian Academy in Georgia and Warner Christian Academy in Daytona Beach. Shawn holds a Masters in Educational Administration from Columbia International University and a lifetime ACSI all levels principal certificate. He is a Van Lunen fellow and serves on the Christian Schools of Florida executive committee. Shawn's influence extends beyond his campus through his involvement in peer accreditation teams and state level governance.

Best For: Heads of school seeking peer insights on long term school culture development, ACSI accreditation excellence, and school leadership in the Tampa Bay region.

7. Dr. Howard Burke, FACCS

Dr. Howard Burke serves as Executive Director of the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools. FACCS is one of the largest state specific Christian accrediting and networking bodies in the country, representing member schools across Florida. Howard represents Christian education in Tallahassee and tracks legislation affecting member schools. The annual FACCS Christian Educators Convention in Orlando features over 100 workshops across seven sessions, making it one of the most significant statewide training events for Christian educators in the United States.

Best For: Christian school leaders and educators seeking accreditation, legislative updates, and large scale professional development through FACCS.

8. LuAnne Schendel, Christian Schools of Florida

LuAnne Schendel serves as Director of Professional Development and former Director of Legislative Affairs at Christian Schools of Florida. She has shaped Christian school accreditation standards, leadership development programmes, and nonpublic school advocacy in Florida for years. LuAnne's legislative work in Tallahassee has been critical to maintaining Christian school autonomy amidst Florida's rapidly evolving regulatory and funding landscape. She has also served in leadership roles within the Florida Association of Academic NonPublic Schools.

Best For: School leaders needing guidance on Florida legislative developments, accreditation standards, and professional development for Christian educators.

9. Bryant Black, Lakeland Christian School

Bryant Black serves as Head of School at Lakeland Christian School, one of the oldest and largest Christian schools in Central Florida. LCS educates students from Pre K through 12th grade in Lakeland with a mission to equip students for a lifetime of learning, leadership, service, and worship. Bryant represents the newer generation of Florida Christian school heads who are navigating rapid growth, programme expansion, and the integration of school choice funding into established institutional models. He maintains an active LinkedIn presence and is part of the broader Central Florida Christian education leadership community.

Best For: Central Florida Christian school leaders seeking peer insights on managing growth at established institutions.

10. Dr. Steve Whitaker, The First Academy

Dr. Steve Whitaker has led The First Academy in Orlando since 2003, overseeing more than two decades of growth and making TFA one of Florida's best known Christ centred college preparatory schools. The First Academy's sustained excellence under consistent leadership provides a model for other Florida Christian schools aspiring to long term institutional stability. Steve's tenure also connects him to the broader ACSI network, as current ACSI President Larry Taylor previously served in senior leadership at The First Academy before moving to the national stage.

Best For: Schools seeking a model of sustained institutional leadership, long term strategic development, and college preparatory excellence within a Christian framework.

11. Jay Boggess, Jupiter Christian School

Jay Boggess serves as President of Jupiter Christian School, leading one of the most dramatic growth stories in Florida Christian education. Jupiter Christian currently enrols over 1,100 students with a waiting list of approximately 700 families. In response to this demand, the school has proposed a 68 million dollar new campus. Jay's leadership through this period of explosive, voucher fuelled growth makes him one of the most relevant voices for Christian school leaders grappling with capacity constraints, capital campaigns, and strategic expansion planning.

Best For: Christian school leaders facing rapid enrolment growth, capital campaign planning, and campus expansion decisions.

12. Dr. Allyn Williams, Orangewood Christian School

Dr. Allyn Williams serves as Head of School at Orangewood Christian School in Maitland, a significant Orlando area Christian school serving students from K4 through 12th grade. Before joining Orangewood, he spent 21 years working for a global Fortune 500 company in various executive leadership roles. He holds a BS from the University of Alabama, an MS in Organisation Development and Leadership from Saint Joseph's University, and an Ed.D. in Leadership from Creighton University. Orangewood recently broke ground on a 36 million dollar expansion and renovation project, representing one of the largest capital investments in Florida Christian education. More than 155 churches are represented in the Orangewood student body.

Best For: Schools seeking leadership that bridges corporate executive experience with Christian school culture, particularly during major capital investment periods.

13. Dr. John Hunte, Evangelical Christian School

Dr. John Hunte has served as Headmaster of Evangelical Christian School in Fort Myers since 2003. ECS is the largest private school in Southwest Florida, providing a significant Christian education presence in a region often overshadowed by the larger South Florida and Central Florida markets. John's long tenure and regional influence make him an important voice for Christian school leaders in the Gulf Coast corridor.

Best For: Southwest Florida Christian school leaders seeking regional peer connection and insights from a long serving headmaster.

14. Luke Butler, Redeemer Christian School and Christian Schools of Florida

Luke Butler serves as Head of School at Redeemer Christian School in Ocala and as Executive Committee President of Christian Schools of Florida. His dual role bridges active school leadership with statewide Christian school governance, giving him influence across both operational and strategic dimensions. Luke graduated from the University of Florida with a BA in English and History, holds an MEd from Covenant College, and completed the Van Lunen Fellows programme at Calvin College in 2017. His calling in Christian education began at Orangewood Christian in 1994.

Best For: School leaders seeking to understand CSF governance and connect school level operations with statewide advocacy.

15. Dr. Joanna Johannes, Lighthouse Private Christian Academy

Dr. Joanna Johannes founded and built Lighthouse Private Christian Academy into a four campus Christian school network in northwest Florida. She serves on the CSF board and is a published author. Her school building journey from a single location to a multi campus system in one of Florida's less densely populated regions provides a growth model that differs significantly from the South Florida and Central Florida experiences. Joanna represents the entrepreneurial end of Florida Christian education, where school planting, campus multiplication, and community building happen simultaneously.

Best For: Leaders interested in Christian school planting, multi campus expansion in smaller markets, and governance as a school founder.

16. Dr. Mike Melone, Highlands Christian Academy

Dr. Mike Melone serves as Head of School at Highlands Christian Academy in Pompano Beach, one of South Florida's established Christian schools. He maintains a public facing LinkedIn profile focused on Christian school leadership. Highlands Christian was recently recognised by ACSI with Exemplary Accreditation status for its Clearwater campus, placing it among a select group of schools nationally. Mike's leadership in the Broward County Christian education community positions him alongside Jason Rachels and Joel Satterly as part of a strong South Florida leadership cohort.

Best For: South Florida Christian school leaders seeking peer connections and accreditation excellence.

17. Doug Tuthill, Step Up For Students

Doug Tuthill serves as President of Step Up For Students, the organisation that administers Florida's massive scholarship programmes. While not exclusively focused on Christian schools, his work managing the financial infrastructure that enables hundreds of thousands of Florida students to access private education makes him the single most important operational figure in Florida's school choice ecosystem. Christian schools that accept scholarship students depend on the systems, compliance requirements, and disbursement processes his organisation oversees. Understanding Step Up's role is essential for any Christian school leader in the state.

Best For: School leaders and board members seeking to understand the financial infrastructure behind Florida's school choice funding.

18. John Kirtley, Step Up For Students

John Kirtley is the Founder and Chairman of Step Up For Students. He is the primary legislative architect behind Florida's corporate tax credit and empowerment scholarship programmes. His decades of advocacy work in Tallahassee created the policy framework that now sustains the operational models of hundreds of Florida Christian schools. For Christian school leaders, Kirtley's influence is foundational. The funding environment they operate in today exists in large part because of his persistent legislative effort over more than two decades.

Best For: Board members, heads of school, and policy advocates wanting to understand the origins and future trajectory of Florida school choice policy.

19. Dave Buckles, Paradox Consultants

Dave Buckles is the founder of Paradox Consultants Group, based in Winter Garden, Florida. He holds an MBA in Business Administration from Capella University and is one of the most sought after strategic consultants for Florida Christian schools facing rapid growth. Dave specialises in campus expansion planning, financial strategy, and school start ups. He serves on the Schools United leadership team and regularly speaks at regional leadership summits on the intersection of faith, finance, and operational sustainability. His LinkedIn presence is active and focused on practical guidance for Christian schools navigating the challenges of growth.

Best For: Christian schools planning campus expansions, capital campaigns, or navigating the financial complexities of rapid enrolment growth.

20. William Hood II, Boca Raton Christian School

William Hood II serves as Head of School at Boca Raton Christian School, a substantial South Florida Christian school serving approximately 800 students. Boca Christian's positioning in one of Florida's most affluent communities places it at the intersection of high parent expectations, college preparatory rigour, and Christian formation. William's leadership of a school at this intersection provides relevant insights for other Florida Christian schools seeking to balance academic excellence with spiritual mission in competitive private school markets.

Best For: Christian school leaders in competitive private school markets balancing academic excellence with spiritual mission.

21. Elizabeth Wilson, Christian Schools of Florida

Elizabeth Wilson serves as Director of Teacher Certification at Christian Schools of Florida. Her statewide influence through teacher certification and quality standards for Christian educators makes her one of the most practically important figures in Florida Christian education. Teacher quality is consistently identified as the single greatest determinant of student outcomes, and Elizabeth's work ensuring that Christian school teachers meet rigorous professional standards directly affects every classroom in the CSF network.

Best For: Schools seeking guidance on teacher certification requirements, professional standards, and educator quality within the CSF framework.

22. Beth Travis, Christian Schools of Florida

Beth Travis serves as Director of Early Childhood at Christian Schools of Florida. Her work shapes the early childhood pipeline for Christian schools across the state, an area that is strategically important but often under covered in thought leadership discussions. Schools that invest in excellent early childhood programmes build enrolment pipelines that sustain the institution for decades. Beth's statewide influence in this space makes her essential for school leaders thinking about long term sustainability.

Best For: Schools developing or strengthening early childhood programmes as part of their long term growth strategy.

23. Jim McKenzie, Speaker, Author, and Educator

Jim McKenzie is a Florida based Christian educator, former head of school, TEDx speaker, and bestselling author. He regularly equips Christian educators and leaders through speaking engagements, writing, and consulting. Jim's public profile extends beyond Florida through national conference speaking and published resources that address practical challenges in Christian education. He represents the increasingly important category of Florida based thought leaders who create content that influences Christian school practice nationally.

Best For: Educators and school leaders seeking practical, research informed guidance from a Florida based author and speaker.

24. Dr. Larry Taylor, ACSI

Dr. Larry Taylor serves as President and CEO of the Association of Christian Schools International, the largest Protestant educational organisation in the world. Although his current role is national, his Florida leadership roots are deep. He spent over a decade at The First Academy in Orlando before moving to lead Prestonwood Christian Academy in Texas and then ACSI nationally. Larry's influence on Florida Christian schools continues through ACSI's state level support structure, its Florida Leadership Network Meetings, and the podcast and content ecosystem that ACSI produces. He is the author of Running With The Horses, focused on raising servant leaders.

Best For: School leaders seeking to understand ACSI's strategic direction and its implications for Florida Christian schools.

25. Christina Sosnicki, Berean Christian School and Christian Schools of Palm Beach County

Christina Sosnicki serves as Head of School at Berean Christian School in West Palm Beach and as President of the Christian Schools of Palm Beach County. She has worked in education for over 30 years across public, private, and homeschool environments. Christina has also served as an adjunct professor at Palm Beach Atlantic University, helping develop student teachers. Her dual role connecting a local school with a county level Christian school network reflects the collaborative ethos that Schools United has catalysed across South Florida. She is part of the Schools United leadership community.

Best For: Palm Beach County Christian school leaders seeking regional collaboration, peer networking, and community building across local Christian schools.

Florida's Key Christian Education Conferences and Networks

Schools United and SUPD Conference: Schools United has grown from informal South Florida lunches into one of the most significant Christian educator gatherings in the country. ACSI described the 2025 SUPD event as drawing over 3,000 in person attendees plus virtual participants. The organisation operates 78 peer networks and continues to expand nationally.

Christian Schools of Florida: CSF is the statewide accrediting, professional development, and advocacy organisation for Christian schools in Florida. Its annual Administrators Conference focuses heavily on state legislation, governance, and head of school wellbeing.

FACCS Christian Educators Convention: Held annually in Orlando, the FACCS convention features over 100 workshops across seven sessions, making it one of the largest statewide training events for Christian educators in the country.

ACSI Florida Leadership Network Meetings: Regional roundtable events hosted at schools across the state, including Foundation Academy in Orlando, Calvary Christian Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Indian Rocks Christian School in Largo, and Southwest Florida Christian Academy in Fort Myers. These meetings focus on peer to peer mentoring and state specific operational challenges.

Converge: The 2025 Converge conference was held in Orlando and positioned itself as a premier global gathering for Christian education leaders. Orlando's role as host gives Florida unusual visibility in the international Christian school conference ecosystem.

Jonno White, trusted facilitator across Australia, the UK, the USA, and beyond, delivers keynotes and workshops at Christian school conferences and leadership retreats. To discuss bringing Jonno to your event, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Five Trends Shaping Florida Christian Schooling in 2026

Universal Voucher Driven Demand. Florida's Family Empowerment Scholarship programme has removed income restrictions, creating unprecedented enrolment demand at Christian schools statewide. Schools are shifting from marketing for enrolment to managing waiting lists and planning capital expansions.

Capacity Expansion at Scale. Jupiter Christian School's proposed 68 million dollar campus, Orangewood Christian's 36 million dollar expansion, and Calvary Christian Academy's four campus growth all signal that Florida's Christian school sector is investing heavily in physical infrastructure to meet demand.

Classical and Micro School Growth. The Florida Summit on Classical Education reports remarkable growth in K to 12 classical schools across the state. Funding portability through vouchers has made it possible for parents to access highly specific, philosophically rigorous Christian models including classical, hybrid, and micro school formats.

Professional Development Maturation. Schools United's rise from local gatherings to a 3,000 plus attendee conference, combined with FACCS, ACSI, and CSF regional events, signals that Florida is becoming one of the most significant gathering points for Christian school professional development in the country.

Scholarship Administration Complexity. In early 2026, several Florida private schools filed lawsuits against Step Up For Students over alleged delays and inconsistencies in scholarship disbursements. This does not undo the growth story, but it means Florida Christian schools are operating inside a high growth, high administration environment where financial operations require careful attention.

Common Mistakes Florida Christian School Leaders Should Avoid

Growing without aligning your leadership team first. Rapid enrolment growth exposes every existing dysfunction in a leadership team. Schools that expand campuses before addressing communication breakdowns, role confusion, or unresolved conflict within senior leadership often find that growth amplifies problems rather than solving them.

Treating school choice funding as guaranteed revenue. Florida's scholarship programmes have grown rapidly, but they exist within a legislative and administrative framework that can change. Schools that build financial models entirely dependent on scholarship disbursements without diversifying revenue streams take on significant risk.

Ignoring the accreditation landscape. Florida has multiple Christian school accrediting bodies including CSF, FACCS, ACSI, FLOCS, and FCCPSA. Each has different standards, affiliations, and implications for teacher certification and state compliance. Choosing the wrong accreditation pathway, or failing to maintain compliance, can have serious consequences.

Isolating from peer networks. The growth of Schools United demonstrates that Florida's best Christian school leaders are choosing collaboration over competition. Schools that remain isolated from peer networks miss critical intelligence about legislative changes, operational best practices, and strategic partnerships.

Underinvesting in early childhood. Schools that neglect their early childhood programmes sacrifice long term enrolment pipelines. Florida's voucher landscape makes early childhood strategically important because families who enter at Pre K are far more likely to remain through high school graduation.

Jonno White runs DISC workshops that help Christian school leadership teams understand why they miscommunicate and how to fix it. Whether virtual or face to face, reach out to jonno@consultclarity.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are the most influential Christian school leaders in Florida? The most influential leaders span school heads, association executives, and network builders. Jason Rachels at Calvary Christian Academy leads the largest Christian school in the state and founded Schools United. Dana James leads both Christian Schools of Florida and Seven Rivers Christian School. Joel Satterly leads Westminster Academy and previously served as CSF president. Howard Burke leads FACCS. These four, along with the 21 other leaders profiled in this directory, represent the broadest cross section of influence in Florida Christian education.

What is the difference between CSF, FACCS, ACSI, and FLOCS accreditation? Christian Schools of Florida, the Florida Association of Christian Colleges and Schools, the Association of Christian Schools International, and the Florida League of Christian Schools each offer distinct accreditation pathways with different standards, theological emphases, and state compliance implications. Schools should evaluate which body best aligns with their mission, denomination, and strategic goals. Several bodies offer co accreditation arrangements.

How has school choice affected Christian school enrolment in Florida? The expansion of universal school choice in Florida has dramatically increased demand for Christian school places. Many schools report waiting lists, and several have announced major campus expansion projects. However, the growth also brings administrative complexity around scholarship compliance and financial management.

What conferences should Florida Christian school administrators attend? The most important gatherings include the Schools United SUPD Conference, the FACCS Christian Educators Convention in Orlando, ACSI Florida Leadership Network Meetings, the CSF annual Administrators Conference, and the Converge conference when held in Florida.

Can I hire someone to facilitate leadership development for my Christian school team? Yes. Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out, delivers keynotes, workshops, and team facilitation for Christian school leadership teams. He has worked with Christian schools across Australia, the USA, the UK, and beyond. Many organisations find that international travel is far more affordable than expected. Email jonno@consultclarity.org to discuss your school's needs.

Which Florida Christian schools are growing the fastest? Calvary Christian Academy (four campuses, 3,200 plus students), Jupiter Christian School (1,100 students with 700 on waiting list), and Orangewood Christian School (36 million dollar expansion) represent some of the most visible growth stories in the state.

How do I start a new Christian school in Florida? Florida's regulatory environment and school choice funding make it more feasible than in many states. Key steps include choosing an accrediting body, establishing a board, developing curriculum, securing a facility, and registering with the Florida Department of Education. Dave Buckles of Paradox Consultants specialises in school start up strategy in the Florida context.

Final Thoughts

Florida's Christian school sector has never been stronger, more connected, or more strategically important than it is in 2026. The combination of universal school choice funding, explosive enrolment demand, a maturing professional development infrastructure, and a growing culture of collaboration among school leaders has created an environment where Christian education is not just surviving but flourishing.

The 25 thought leaders profiled in this guide represent the best of what is available to principals, heads of school, board members, and superintendents navigating this environment. They include the heads of the state's largest schools, the executives leading statewide associations, the network builders creating new forms of professional collaboration, the policy architects behind school choice funding, and the consultants helping schools translate growth into sustainable operations.

If you are looking for a single starting point, our recommendation is Jonno White, Certified Working Genius Facilitator and bestselling author of Step Up or Step Out. Not because he is the most published researcher or the longest serving association executive, but because the foundation of every school improvement effort is a leadership team that trusts each other, communicates clearly, and understands how each person contributes. Jonno's facilitation work builds that foundation. Everything else, from accreditation to campus expansion to scholarship compliance, works better when the team managing it is aligned.

To book Jonno White for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

For more on how Christian school leaders are building the leadership cultures that underpin this kind of growth, check out my blog post '35 Best Thought Leaders in Christian Schooling (2026)' at https://www.consultclarity.org/post/thought-leaders-christian-schooling.

About the Author

Jonno White is a Certified Working Genius Facilitator, bestselling author, and leadership consultant who has worked with schools, corporates, and nonprofits across the UK, India, Australia, Canada, Mongolia, New Zealand, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, USA, Finland, Namibia, and more. His book Step Up or Step Out has sold over 10,000 copies globally, and his podcast The Leadership Conversations has featured 230 plus episodes reaching listeners in 150 plus countries. Jonno founded The 7 Questions Movement with 6,000 plus participating leaders and achieved a 93.75% satisfaction rating for his Working Genius masterclass at the ASBA 2025 National Conference. Based in Brisbane, Australia, Jonno works globally and regularly travels for speaking and facilitation engagements. Organisations consistently find that international travel is far more affordable than expected.

To book Jonno for your next keynote, workshop, or facilitation session, email jonno@consultclarity.org.

Next Read: 35 Best Thought Leaders in Christian Schooling (2026)

Christian schooling is experiencing a global renaissance. From Brisbane to Boston, London to Lagos, and Singapore to Sioux Center, Christian schools are moving beyond survival mode into a research driven, formational, flourishing centred movement that is reshaping how millions of students experience education.

If you are a principal, head of school, board member, or superintendent searching for the thought leaders who are genuinely shaping the future of Christian education, the challenge is knowing where to start. The landscape is vast. Some voices carry decades of research. Others bring innovative frameworks that are transforming school cultures in real time.

Keep reading: https://www.consultclarity.org/post/thought-leaders-christian-schooling