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St. Johns Academy’s Mrs. Wallis Brooks Leaves a Lifelong Legacy

In 1995, a small group of parents in Northeast Florida dared to believe that education rooted in Christ and classical learning could change lives. What they built became the first Classical Christian

By Alicia Grove

St. Johns Academy’s Mrs. Wallis Brooks Leaves a Lifelong Legacy

In 1995, a small group of parents in Northeast Florida dared to believe that education rooted in Christ and classical learning could change lives. What they built became the first Classical Christian school in Northeast Florida. Today, the academy is thriving, and three decades later, that vision is more alive than ever.

At the heart of it all is Mrs. Wallis Brooks. As a founding leader, she has spent 31 years shaping not just the structure of St. John’s Academy, but its soul. Inspiring students, mentoring teachers, and pointing every family toward a higher purpose. Her commitment to faith, academic excellence, and Christian virtue has created a foundation built to last. Among those she has shaped is her own daughter, Wendi Brooks Howard, a member of the school’s very first graduating class, making her legacy both institutional and deeply personal.

This year, St. John’s Academy celebrates a historic milestone: the graduation of its first class since the high school program was reintroduced. It is a full-circle moment and a testament to the faithfulness of everyone who has walked this road together.

Looking ahead, the school is entrusting its mission to Jacob Petty, a leader with local roots, a love for Jesus, and a deep passion for both the school’s mission and the students it serves. Beginning next year, the academy will introduce its new dual enrollment program, which will allow students to graduate with an Associate’s Degree or higher while remaining rooted in the classical, Christ-centered education St. John’s Academy is known for.

Thirty-one years of faithfulness and a graduating class that marks a new beginning. St. John’s Academy has always existed to develop virtuous scholars, students who love Jesus, lead with integrity, and serve their communities. A vision that started in 1995 and continues to bear fruit for generations to come.