The Potter’s House Christian Academy (PHCA) is an extension ministry of The Potter’s House International Ministries (TPHIM). TPHIM had its beginning in June of 1988 after the Lord gave Bishop Vaughn McLaughlin a vision for a ministry without any denominational restraints or traditional limitations. The first church facility was located at 5827 Seaboard Avenue. In October of 1992, the ministry purchased seven acres of land on Lane Avenue; this land was the former home of a used car dealership. Four years later (September 1996), additional property was added with the purchase of a 41,000 square foot former Southern Bell phone center on Normandy Boulevard.

All of the property acquisition and building renovation projects paved the way for The Potter’s House Christian Academy’s humble beginnings in August of 1996. Beginning with grades K-4 through 3rd, the staff consisted of five teachers and Mrs. Narlene McLaughlin, Bishop’s wife, who served as the founding Administrator/Principal. The school shared the Sunday school facilities of the church at its Lane Avenue location.

The very next school year, PHCA added 4th and 5th grades to its program and enrollment increased to over 150 students. As a result, the school’s campus relocated from Lane Avenue to the newly renovated school complex in the Multiplex building on Normandy Boulevard. Belinda Slater became the Elementary Principal, while Mrs. McLaughlin continued to give leadership to the Academy as the School’s Administrator.

Since then, PHCA continued to add one additional grade level with each year of existence. Currently, the Academy employs over 50 full-time staff, has an enrollment of over 450 students and offers grades K4 through 12. The elementary school continues to be housed on the Normandy Boulevard location, while the high school is housed at the Lane Avenue location. We experienced a great blessing from God, in the historical milestone of our inaugural commencement exercise held May 27, 2005, with 28 graduating seniors.

 

Moving forward, we have graduated fourteen classes and sent over 300 students into the real world. Our graduates have served our country in the military, joined the workforce, and graced the halls of universities near and far. From the hometown the University of North Florida, to statewide stalwarts: the University of South Florida, the University of Central Florida and the University of Florida; from the University of North Carolina to the University of Notre Dame; from the United States Air Force Academy to the United States Naval Academy; our students are achieving academically. As productive citizens in the world, PHCA graduates are pursuing various professions and making a significant influence in the world.