Who We Are
Compass Christian Academy is a mission of the Lighthouse and Hillsdale
Churches and is under the authority of the Compass Christian Academy Board and administrators.
The School Board members are elected yearly in January. The members are representative of the Hillsdale and Lighthouse congregations. The board is open to electing representatives from like-minded churches and parents to serve.
Our Administrators
Principal
JOSH SIMONS
Josh is the Children’s Ministry Director at Lighthouse Presbyterian and starting in Fall 2023, he will also be serving as the Principal of Compass Christian Academy. He feels that attending a Christian school as a child gifted him with fond memories and he looks forward to helping foster similar memories for students at CCA!
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Josh has 17 years of experience as a public educator teaching Middle School Math, Elementary Title Math, and Special Education at a PRTF. He also holds two Master’s degrees, one in Curriculum and Instruction and one in Special Education. In addition to public education, he has 8 years of experience as a Church Worker with a heavy emphasis on children’s Christian education.
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His family consists of his wife of 19 years, two teenage daughters, two cats, and a fuzzy little Morkie Poo! They love family game nights, watching movies, enjoying home-cooked meals together, and hanging out by a fire pit.
During this first year of CCA, he is most excited about seeing God bless the work as the team seeks to glorify Him each day. He believes teaching the Bible, building Godly character, and empowering children to take responsibility for their own learning lived out through the servant hearts of our staff will make CCA a special place for learning and Spiritual growth for the next generation.
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Josh looks forward to working with your students in a safe, joyful, fun, and supportive learning environment!
KIRK + LAURIE
JOHNSTON
Administrators
Laurie and Kirk Johnston were married in 1988 at Princeton Seminary where they both received their
Master of Divinity in 1990. Kirk was born and raised in Pittsburgh, PA, and Laurie was born in Illinois, but
grew up in Sterling and Hutchinson, KS. Kirk received his BA in English at Kenyon College in Gambier,
Ohio and Laurie received her BA in International Relations at the American University in Washington,
DC. For the Past 30 years they have served the Lighthouse Church (EPC) and the Hillsdale Church (EPC).
They have raised three children who are all married. Lindsey and Dustin Maxwell live in Olathe with
their two sons, Reagan and Wesley. Luke and Jamie Johnston live in Gladstone, MO with their three
daughters Norah, Emmi, and Lucy. And Ian and McKayla Johnston live in Leawood, KS.
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The Johnstons have always had been involved in Christian Education. Biblical learning is the greatest
path from God’s infinite love to the human heart. God’s Word is the beginning of all wisdom and has
the power to save by the power of the Holy Spirit. In 2022, they learned about the ACE school of
tomorrow, and felt moved to start a Christian academy for ages Kindergarten through Highschool. The
elements of ACE (accelerated Christian Education) are 1) a curriculum that is built around the Bible 2)
Individualized learning 3) Mastery-based learning 4) Self-Instructional 5) Character-Building.
The Compass Christian Academy hopes to change young-lives for the next generation. We pray that
through our high emphasis on academics, the love for scripture, the attitude of Christian characteristics,
and the positive atmosphere of our learning centers, we will produce students who love and obey God
and will be fruitful Christians and citizens.
Our Teachers
Biography coming soon!
Photo Coming Soon!
LINDSEY MAXWELL
2nd-12th Lead Supervisor
Lindsey is so excited to be a part of this CCA journey with you! Her family consists of her husband, two little boys, two crazy dogs, and one very large cat.
On any given Sunday you can find Lindsey at Hillsdale Presbyterian Church, where she leads worship with singing. She's a trained musician, trained Doula, and a certified Accelerated Christian Education Supervisor!
Her goal this year is to help your children reach all of their academic goals, while instilling in them Godly character. She believes you can get academics anywhere, but in this classroom you will also receive grace, prayer, scripture, silliness, and love.
Lindsey is excited to start meeting you all!
Other Staff
Kimberli Johnson - Monitor
Cynthia Schmidt - Art
Texana Ollenberger - Music
Debby Ward - Physical Education
Cheryl Grout - ASL Instructor