Introduction to Families of Faith
In 1984, Jim & Ruth Lawson began homeschooling the first of their five children. They wanted their children to be well educated, of course, but with a solid moral 
foundation and the ability to think on their own, to dream their own dreams, and not just follow the crowd. To be in the world but not of the world. In fact, to be leaders of tomorrow.
As parents, they knew their children’s individual talents and personalities better than anyone. The task of teaching every new concept and skill had been theirs since birth, and they would be the best choice to direct their young ones' education in the future, just as you are the best choice to direct the education of your children.
In the spring of 1994, a small group of homeschooling families started a private school in the Lakeland, Florida area to work with homeschoolers. That first year the school operated out of the Lawson’s small home before moving to a campus in Lakeland the following year. The motivations behind the inauspicious beginnings were to be a service to families that believed the responsibility for their children’s education was the responsibility of the parents, not the state, or, as it is commonly referred to now, “the village.” The Bible does not tell the “village” to raise a child; it tells the parents that it is their responsibility and theirs alone. Families of Faith does not assign specific curriculum to a student or family. Our purpose is to properly document the academic work that each student has completed. Our goal is to aid in the planning and implementation of that academic work so the student is well prepared for his or her future. Families of Faith’s only mission is to serve those parents by keeping academic records and transcripts, provide counseling, and aid in the honorable achievement of properly earning a high school diploma.
Families of Faith is different than most private schools which operate in much the same manner as public schools, i.e., age-segregated classrooms, where all students meet together daily, covering the same material at the same time. The emphasis over the last fifty years has changed from high academic standards in grammar, math, science and foreign language to being the village that raises a "socially indoctrinated citizen of the world." Most colleges have abandoned that failed "one size fits all" delivery system. They provide some or all classroom content via alternate methods such as on-line and fast track, and are meeting the needs of a divergent population. Families of Faith is focused on matching students with academically superior curricula, and the freedom to receive the material through various methods, thereby producing a high level of academic excellence.
Colleges such as Phoenix University have proven that it is not where a student attends class, but what material is taught and verified that matter. Families of Faith Christian Academy does not discriminate based on where a student earns credits or masters a grade level. Credits earned in a public or private school classroom are accepted, as are courses through a virtual school or dual enrollment in a local college. Even courses taken at home under the supervision of his or her parents are accepted upon verication. It is the content that is mastered and verified that is the basis of advancement, not the classroom setting.
Families of Faith Christian Academy International:
“We put the 'school' in homeschool.”
Vision of Families of Faith
The Vision of Families of Faith Christian Academy is to be a helper to families that actively direct the education of their children.
Our commitment to homeschooling families is embodied in our school verse:
"Not for that we have dominion over your faith, but are helpers of your joy: for by faith ye stand." II Corinthians 1:24 ( KJV)
Our vision to be a “helper” gives us a daily mission to:
Teach families about their choices in education. These choices include all legal options available to a family, including public school, private school, religious school, and homeschooling through the public school's county superintendent's office.
Teach families about curriculum choices and how to match their educational goals, student's ability, and their personal expertise to create the best educational envi- ronment for their student.
Teach families how to plan and implement a High School Plan that prepares a student to enter college, vocational training, and/or the work force, well prepared for the challenges he/she will encounter. This includes opportunities like, but not limited to, the Florida Bright Futures Scholarship and Dual Enrollment with local Community Colleges.
Provide the services of a real private school to those who want official records of their student's academic progress, including:
■Maintaining student's Cum Folder, including immunization, attendance, grades and transcripts,
■Opportunity to earn a real High School Diploma for students who complete the required credits,
■Testing and evaluation of student progress,
■Access to a dedicated staff, including academic advisors,
■Access to help with challenging courses like Algebra through the
Classflix video series.