NEW HEAD OF SCHOOL

Dear Parkway Christian Faculty, Staff, and Families,

I am thrilled that God has called my wife and me to join the team at Parkway Ministries. I eagerly anticipate bringing my servant-style leadership to strengthen the kingdom impact of Parkway Christian Academy. As John 15:16 states, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.” Abiding in Him, I am praying for Parkway Christian Academy and striving to produce students who also abide in Him.

I find great joy in witnessing how God uses our experiences to enhance our ability to serve. I spent the first three decades of my career at Boca Raton Christian School, inspiring and equipping children, families, and educators in their pursuit of a love for Jesus and academic excellence. During this time, I obtained lifetime certification from the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI) in both administration and secondary social science. It was also during this period that my wife and I raised our four children. Being a parent has been an incredible blessing, giving me an even deeper understanding as an educator.

My diverse educational experiences have greatly strengthened my leadership skills. Initially, I served as a substitute teacher, which helped me understand the students and teachers at various grade levels. I was an elementary teacher for nearly a decade, followed by roles as an assistant principal and later as a high school principal. Our school had two campuses, and I partnered with multiple pastors in ministry. For the past six years, I have served as the assistant head of school and high school principal.

Ministering to the whole child by providing students with experiences to prepare them for life as Christ-followers has been my focus. Under my tenure, our high school more than doubled in size. We sent students on five simultaneous week-long mission trips annually (four by grade level and one local). I introduced an Academic Directed Independent Study (Academic DIS) program to assist struggling students, implemented two Advanced Placement (AP) courses for every major subject area (English, mathematics, history, and science), and offered multiple electives. I also began a student leadership group that prayed for their peers (called Crazy Love, based on Francis Chan’s book), and developed various events to enhance the student experience. These included a spiritual emphasis retreat, college tours, National Honor Society (NHS) activities, Homecoming, International Day, Winterfest, annual high school guidance meetings to help students navigate their academic journey, and end-of-year awards recognizing student achievements. I also started and coached the high school basketball program, oversaw the process for international students, taught and supervised summer school, and signed articulation agreements with universities for dual enrollment.

As assistant head of school, I have overseen the Athletic, Fine Arts, Technology, and Security Departments, including their budgets, as the school has experienced growth. Under my leadership, the high school has consistently ranked in the top 15% for academics on national standardized tests, produced multiple national merit scholars, had athletes regularly sign with colleges, and achieved 100% college acceptance for students.

I have served as vice president of the Christian Schools of Palm Beach County, an organization that provides networking and support for Christian school leaders and professional development for teachers. As a leader in the organization, I developed a Student Leadership Conference, drawing on speakers brought in for teachers’ professional development.

I am incredibly excited to get to know the Parkway Christian Academy family and to pray more specifically for the needs of students, teachers, staff, parents, and administrators. I bring a steadfast resolve to uphold Biblical truth, academic excellence, and Christian values while nurturing a Christ-centered, academically excellent school to its next level of excellence.

Serving Him,

Stephen Smith, M. Ed.