Aucilla Christian Academy expands campus after 40% enrollment surge

The private school in Monticello, Florida has grown to 475 students over the past six years.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 1:53am

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A vibrant, pop art-inspired illustration featuring repeating patterns of school supplies like textbooks, chalkboards, and apples, conceptually representing the growth and evolution of a private, faith-based educational institution.Aucilla Christian Academy's expansion allows it to maintain small class sizes and a personalized educational experience despite a 40% enrollment surge.Aucilla Today

Aucilla Christian Academy, a private school in Monticello, Florida, has seen a 40% increase in enrollment over the past six years, growing to around 475 students. To accommodate this growth, the school has expanded its campus by adding a new nine-classroom building, allowing them to maintain smaller class sizes of around 17 students per classroom.

Why it matters

The expansion at Aucilla Christian Academy reflects a broader trend of families seeking out private, faith-based education options that combine strong academics with a religious curriculum. The school's ability to maintain small class sizes despite rapid growth is seen as a key draw for parents looking for a personalized educational experience for their children.

The details

Aucilla Christian Academy has added a new nine-classroom building to its campus, enabling the school to have two sections per grade level and keep class sizes small, with around 17 students per first-grade classroom. The school participates in Florida's Step Up for Students scholarship program, which helps offset the average $12,000 per year tuition cost for families.

  • Aucilla Christian Academy has seen a 40% enrollment increase over the last six years.
  • The school's new nine-classroom building expansion was recently completed.

The players

Aucilla Christian Academy

A private, faith-based school in Monticello, Florida that provides education from pre-K through high school.

Richard Finlayson

The head of school at Aucilla Christian Academy.

Tonya Roberts

A first-grade teacher at Aucilla Christian Academy who has been with the school for over 30 years.

Step Up for Students

A Florida scholarship program that helps families offset the cost of private school tuition.

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What they’re saying

“We added a nine-classroom building that has expanded us to where we are able to have two sections per grade level…which is a real blessing.”

— Richard Finlayson, Head of School

“I think I've been blessed to feel like I'm where God wants me to be…I get to talk to my students about Jesus every day, and that is more of a ministry than just a job.”

— Tonya Roberts, First-Grade Teacher

“We've got two sections of first grade now. And actually in our elementary school, we have two sections of each grade, which has allowed us to have smaller class sizes but more students overall.”

— Tonya Roberts, First-Grade Teacher

What’s next

School leaders say admissions season is underway, and it's not too late for families to apply to Aucilla Christian Academy for the upcoming school year.

The takeaway

Aucilla Christian Academy's rapid growth and campus expansion highlights the increasing demand for private, faith-based education options that can maintain small class sizes and personalized attention for students, even as enrollment surges. The school's participation in Florida's tuition assistance program also makes it more accessible to a wider range of families.