Dear Military Families,
On behalf of our Principal, Sister Grace Ford and the entire school community, we extend you a warm welcome to St. John Catholic Academy, a Distinguished Purple Star School. Our school is located near Tyndall Air Force Base and Naval Support Activity Panama City. Since 1958, our school has been offering military families the opportunity to educate their children in a rigorous and well-rounded academic environment where Catholic values are both learned and lived. We utilize Memoria Press Classical Core Curriculum and Education in Virtue. We invite you to explore those materials and are confident your child’s classes are taught by caring and certified teachers who understand the importance of developing strong academic skills while being formed as Disciples of Christ for Life. Our school’s curriculum is founded on traditional, Catholic values, and our academics are centered on a strong, liberal arts program. It is an honor and privilege to continue our long tradition of serving the children of military families, and we will do everything possible to make your child’s transition to our school an enjoyable, trouble-free experience.
Our School Counselor Mrs. Heidler serves as our military point of contact (MPOC). Mrs. Heidler is a 21 year veteran of the United States Navy, a wife, and a mother of two children. She has personal experience and is familiar with the needs and challenges of military relocations and deployments. She looks forward to serving you and your family. Her phone number and email address, and other important contact information, are listed below.
Contact Information
School Office (Hours: Mon.–Fri., 7:30 am–3:30 pm)
Phone: (850) 763-1775
Email: office@sjseagles.org
Address: 1005 Fortune Avenue, Panama City, FL 32401
Military Families’ Point of Contact:
Mrs. Virginia Heidler
Phone: 850-637-8935
E-mail: virginia.heidler@sjseagles.org
School Principal:
Sister Grace Ford
Office Phone: 850-257-7428
E-mail: sistergrace@sjseagles.org
Administrative Assistant & Enrollment Coordinator
Mrs. Sandra de Arrigunaga
Office Phone: (850) 763-1775
E-mail: sandra.de@sjseagles.org
NSA PC School Liaison Officer
Child & Youth Educational Services
Erin Pickard
Phone: 850-238-9830
E-mail: erin.pickard@navy.mil
Tyndall AFB School Liaison Officer
Mallory Gross
Phone: 850-247-5253
E-mail: Mallory.Gross@us.af.mil
Mental Health Support for Military Students: Because of St. John’s tradition serving the children of military families, we understand the challenges they face relocating to a new school due to a parent’s change in duty station. We recognize that military children often experience difficulties because of parents being on deployment or constantly on the move, gaps and overlaps in curriculum, differing graduation requirements, course-placement disruption, and other service-related stressors. We also realize that military children have particular social and emotional needs in order to cope with leaving supportive friends and beginning again at a new school. Mental health is an essential part of overall health. It is crucial to recognize that fact and support children’s mental health by ensuring every child has access to high-quality, affordable, and culturally competent mental health care.
Transition Planning: St. John Catholic Academy faculty and staff look forward to partnering with you on behalf of your children. The following links provide online forms for application documents, enrollment, registration, and other school information for transition planning.
School Calendar
Application for Admission
You will find our application for admission form at the above link. If you have any questions, please call or stop by our school’s office, or send us an email at office@sjseagles.org.
Additional Transition Resources:
MIlitary Child Education Coalition: https://www.militarychild.org/
Military Kids Connect: MKC offers informative activities, fun games, helpful videos, and interesting user surveys that can guide and reinforce understanding, resilience, and coping skills in military children and their peers. https://militarykidsconnect.org/
Military Child Transition/Deployment Tool Kit: https://www.aasa.org/MilitaryChild.aspx
Tutoring Services:
K – 12 and College Prep tutoring for Military Families **FREE**
Before and After School Care:
We offer both Before and After School Care at St. John’s Catholic Academy. Please contact the school office for availability and registration information.
The documents at following link, list the dues and fees for the 2023-2024 school year: Tuition and Fees
If you have any questions, please visit or call our school’s office
Required Documents:
Copy of Birth Certificate
Voluntary Prekindergarten (K4), Kindergarten, or 1st grade.
Children must be 3, 4, 5, or 6 years old by Sept. 1st to enroll into K3.
Social Security Card
Copy of Child’s Latest Report Card
Immunization Record: Shot record card completed by a certified Florida State physician or the Bay County Health Department. (680 Form)
All shots must be up-to-date before entering school in the fall.
Physical: A yellow school physical form completed by a certified Florida State physician or the Bay County Health Department. Side 1 must be completed by the parent or guardian. (Form 3040)
Resources and Educational Opportunities
Step-Up for Students Scholarships
Dependent children of an active-duty member of the United States Armed Forces are eligible for a private school scholarship, regardless of household income thanks to “Step-Up for Students.” Step-up for Students offers two scholarships; the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship. The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship gives families a choice of financial assistance towards private school tuition and fees. The Family Empowerment Scholarship may be used towards private school tuition and fees. For more information, click on the link: Step-Up for Students.
St. John Catholic Academy Preschool
St. John Catholic Academy Preschool
St. John Catholic Academy’s Preschool classes are fun and exciting classes that create the perfect environment for learning for our youngest 12 month through 4 year-old students. The Voluntary Prekindergarten Education Program – or VPK – prepares early learners for success in kindergarten and beyond. VPK helps build a strong foundation for school using educational materials corresponding to various stages in child’s development.
Please contact our Preschool Director with any questions regarding our program:
Mrs. Nikki Thomas
850-786-3516
Nikki.thomas@sjseagles.org
Student-Led Transition Program: Upon request, SJCA will match a new military student with a military student peer for orientation and campus tour.
NSA PC Youth Sponsorship Program (YSP)
- Youth sponsors help with the relocation of their peers and are matched according to gender, age, and interests
- YSP Club meets monthly in the Youth & Teen Center. Activities are specifically tailored to the needs and interests of participants
- To arrange for a youth sponsor or for more information please email CNIC_SE_PNMA_SL@us.navy.mil.
Exceptional Student Education Services: SJCA offers some additional support services for students who qualify. If you have a child in need of services or are enrolled in the exceptional family member program (EFMP) please contact the school counselor for further information.
Upcoming Military Recognition Events and Activities:
- Parent volunteer opportunities
- November 9, 2023: Veterans Day Assembly
- Thanksgiving/Christmas letters/care packages to deployed troops
- April 2024: Month of the MIlitary Child
