PALMER CATHOLIC ACADEMY - EXCELLENCE IN EDUCATION
Principal: Linda M. Earp
Pastor: Monsignor Keith R. Brennan
School Colors: Navy and White
School Mascot: The Blue Angels
“Respect, Service and Unified in Faith”
Palmer Catholic Academy of Our Lady Star of the Sea Parish is a member of the Diocese of St. Augustine and is fully accredited by the Florida Catholic Conference. The School was founded in 1997 to provide our children and our community with a quality education within a loving Catholic environment. Located approximately one mile west of A1A on County Road 210, this state-of-the-art facility accommodates up to 504 students, from PK4 through 8th grade. Our preschool facility located on our Parish Campus on A1A also holds classes for ages 1 through 5 years old.
In September, 2005, Palmer Catholic Academy was designated as a 2005 No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon Award school by the United States Department of Education in Washington, DC. The Department of Education established the No Child Left Behind – Blue Ribbon School award program to recognize and present as models both public and private elementary and secondary schools whose students achieve at very high levels. Palmer Catholic Academy was recognized for our students scoring in the top 10th percentile on standardized Math and Reading tests referenced against national norms.
The foundation of our educational program is developmental learning, language arts, mathematics, science, and social studies. In addition, physical education, secondary language, music, art, computer science and special events are integrated into the curriculum. These educational instruments are enhanced by daily religious instruction and prayer intended to strengthen the learning process and give our children a well-rounded Catholic Christian education.
In August of 2012, Palmer Catholic Academy opened the Daniel B. Logan Gymnasium and Community Center facility on its property and welcomed the next phase of educational enrichment. Currently under the leadership of a new pastor, Msgr. Keith R. Brennan, PCA continues to uphold the traditions of a parochial education, while incorporating the latest advancements in learning techniques. Our students LIVE and LEARN their Catholic faith daily.
Our Pastor
Prior to his appointment as Rector of the seminary, Msgr. Brennan served as Chancellor of the Diocese of St. Augustine from 1992 to 2004 and pastor of Blessed Trinity Parish in Jacksonville from 2001 to 2004. He also served as a parochial vicar at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Augustine (1988-1990) and St. Paul's Parish in Jacksonville Beach (1985-1988). Msgr. Brennan’s most recent assignment was as Pastor at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in east Arlington from July 2012 until July 2013. Effective July 1, 2013, he was appointed as Pastor of Our Lady Star of the Sea in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
Our Principal
Mrs. Linda M. Earp is the founding principal of Palmer Catholic Academy established in 1997. Mrs. Earp received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education from Towson (Md.) State University and a Masters Degree in Education Leadership from the University of North Florida. She taught elementary and religious education for over thirty years in various locations and environments around the country. Mrs. Earp became the Director of Little Stars Preschool in 1992, building its growth and success. In 2005, under the direction of Mrs. Earp, Palmer Catholic Academy was awarded the National Blue Ribbon Designation. Her leadership and vision, along with a tremendous desire to give children the best learning environment possible, are the foundations for excellence at Palmer Catholic Academy.
Our Faculty
Palmer Catholic Academy is blessed with remarkably talented and dedicated teachers. They are inspired by our ministry to teach the Lord’s children in a Christ-centered environment and committed to developing each student’s academic, spiritual and social growth. All classroom teachers have an appropriate early childhood, elementary and/or secondary education degree and certification in the state of Florida. In addition, they must complete catechist certification for the instruction of the religious curriculum. Fine Arts teachers have education and professional degrees in their area of expertise. Many faculty members have also completed one or more master degrees in education or related areas.