Who We Are
Compass Christian Academy is a mission of the Lighthouse and Hillsdale Churches and is under the authority of Administration and Session. CCA utilizes A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) program as its primary curriculum and organization.
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
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 with their daughter, Kerigan, live in Spring Hill, 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.
Administrators
Our Staff
K-1st Supervisor
JULIE KIEFFABER
Julie is the K/1 Supervisor at Compass Christian Academy and brings over 30 years of experience working with young children. Throughout her career, she has served in a variety of roles, including teaching preschool and kindergarten in a Montessori school, working as a preschool teacher in a Christian Mother’s Day Out program, and serving as a speech paraprofessional. For 23 years, she also ran a successful in-home daycare, providing a nurturing environment for children and building strong relationships with families.
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In the summer of 2024, God led Julie to the K/1 Supervisor position at CCA. Over the years, she has also been deeply involved in children’s ministry—teaching Sunday School and leading a Children’s Church program at her local church. Her passion for teaching and sharing God’s love with children has been a constant in her life and career.
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Julie was raised in a pastor’s home. She spent the first half of her childhood in California and the latter half in Alaska, where her journey in children’s ministry began. As a teenager, she started caring for children in her church community and helping with Children’s Church. Her family later moved to Kansas when her father attended Nazarene Seminary in Kansas City. Julie married a Kansas native and has called Kansas home ever since. She and her husband have been married for over 40 years and are proud parents of two married sons and grandparents to six beloved grandchildren—their pride and joy.
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Julie’s goal at Compass Christian Academy is to help children reach their full potential academically while instilling Biblical truths in their hearts. She strives to create a joyful and safe learning environment where every child feels valued, has fun learning, and goes home each day feeling confident and loved. She looks forward to what God has in store for the students and families at CCA and is grateful to be a part of this Christ-centered community.
CASIE LACEY
Monitor
Casie loves connecting with people, building relationships, and encouraging others to meet their full potential. She has taught and coached at Sterling High School, Sterling College, and Osawatomie High School, and is now excited to be able to mentor the students at CCA. Her favorite part about CCA is that Scripture is integrated throughout the curriculum, just like our faith is integrated throughout all the parts of our lives.
Casie is also passionate about health and wellness. She has a Bachelor's degree in Nutritional Science and a Master’s degree in Nutrition and Human Performance. She can’t wait to teach in PE & Health class about God’s perfect design for our bodies and how we can glorify God by taking care of our health.
Casie and her husband David have 3 children. They enjoy traveling, lake time, and really any activity they can do together as a family.
Casie looks forward to meeting all of the CCA students and helping guide them on their educational journey!
LINDSEY MAXWELL
2nd-12th 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!
KIM JOHNSON
Monitor
Biography coming soon!
JANA BROWN
Monitor
Biography coming soon!
Other Staff
Cynthia Schmidt - Art
Texanna Ollenberger - Music
Casie Lacey - Physical Education/Health
Cheryl Grout - ASL Instructor