Our History

 On Friday, March 18, 2020, Queen of Peace Catholic Academy got notification from the Diocese that we would not be opening until further notice due to Covid.  Administration gathered over the weekend and an immediate plan was put in place. On Monday, the 22nd, the entire staff joined together on Google Classroom to discuss the plan and how to implement it. iPads were distributed out to families without technology, and a tech team assisted everyone in troubleshooting. Another team was put together to assist the teachers in preparation of materials and to be utilized as class monitors on line. On Tuesday, March 22, students were asked to join their homerooms via Google Classroom. The students arrived in full uniform and proceeded to follow their normal class schedules.  Classes included all core and special classes. Aftercare offered social programs such as drawing classes, baking lessons, pet parties, etc. in an effort to maintain a strong community environment.  Our Guidance Counselor and Learning Resource Team were available to students at any time needed. This dedication from staff, administration, students and families is what we consider to be the best narrative of who we are as a school community…committed, supportive, creative and dedicated to educating children in a safe and supportive environment that energizes and engages our students to achieve academically while being socially aware and confident.
In 2011, Queen of Peace Catholic Academy was awarded the National Blue Ribbon for Academic Excellence.  Being a recognized Blue Ribbon school made us a household name in our community.  The distinction was an instrumental piece in our marketing materials, and we now had a waiting list for students to attend QPCA. But, being a Blue Ribbon School was so much more than just a great marketing opportunity…it was a collective achievement that gave us a sense of pride and accomplishment. The recognition motivated all of us at QPCA to want to be better and achieve more.
One of the key strategies that we attribute to our success is the building of relationships with our students. In 2017-2018 our Guidance Department became a site host for the University of Florida Department of Counseling which greatly benefits our school by having interns on campus working under our Guidance Counselor’s tutelage. In Spring 2020, we implemented the Friendzy SEL curriculum which teaches the five-core competencies of social-emotional learning. In 2022, QPCA implemented Responsibility-Centered Discipline. Our goal is to empower students to take ownership for their own behaviors in which students will understand the benefits of forming good behavior habits and learn emotional self-control.
Unique to QPCA is our dedication to the Arts. In the 2014-2015, the Fine Arts Building was built (art, music and band), and has allowed for a greater opportunity for exploration of the arts. The band program has expanded to include a beginning, intermediate, concert, symphonic and liturgy band. Our music program begins with PreK and follows them through to fourth grade where they learn to read music, tinker with different instruments and perform in concert, not only in English, but Chinese and Spanish. Our choir program, which begins in 5th grade, gives us the opportunity to invest in our community by performing in different community venues. The art program has also grown to include an Art Independent Study that allows our advanced art students to study beyond the diocesan curriculum.
During this same year, the Media Center was transformed into the iCreate Center.  The new space provided areas for reading and research, and areas for collaboration. The Center was equipped with MacBook laptops, iPads and Robotics for student use. QPCA sent an inaugural Robotics team to the First Lego League competition, and has since replaced First Lego with Vex Robots for use and competition.
In 2015, our middle school House System was created. It began with middle school, but soon expanded to include the entire school. The Houses create numerous events throughout the year that are service and community driven. The House System has proven to be a great way to create community, school spirit, responsibility, and respect.
In Spring of 2021, we began the process to become a S.T.R.E.A.M. Certified School and appointed a S.T.R.E.A.M. program coordinator to guide us in obtaining the certification and developing the program. In 2022, we became a Project Lead the Way (PLTW) school that includes areas such as computer science, engineering, and biomedical science by engaging students in hands-on activities and projects, in which they learn to solve real-world challenges. We also introduced Vex Robots to compliment our Robotics Program and Team.
This is just a small snapshot of who we are, what we do, and our commitment to our students, community and reputation as a National Blue Ribbon School for Academic Excellence. 

The Beginning of Queen of Peace Catholic Academy