History
In 1966, St. Paul's Episcopal Parish School was founded with a single kindergarten class by Father Gilbertson and Father Sturrup of Saint Paul's Episcopal Church in Winter Haven. The school continued to grow, and in 1979, the first Headmaster, Ken Hansell, was hired. Mr. Hansell led the school until his retirement in 1991.
In 1991, Sue Tolle joined St. Paul's School. Under Mrs. Tolle's leadership, the school grew to include 227 students from PreK-3 through 7th grade.
The school experienced a momentous year in 1993, when the name was changed to All Saints' Academy. The new school, while affiliated with the Episcopal Church, ran as an independent school open to people from all religious backgrounds. While awaiting the completion of the new Hampton Campus for Upper School students, the First Presbyterian Church of Winter Haven provided facilities for 8th through 12th grade students. A Board of Trustees was formed, with R. Mark Bostick serving as Chairman, and in 1994, Donald Schwartz joined the school as Headmaster. In 1995, the new Hampton Campus on State Road 540 West in Winter Haven was opened.
All Saints' Academy celebrated its first graduating class of 8 students in 1997. By the following fall, more than 460 students in grades PreSchool through 12 were enrolled.
From 1997 to 1999, Dr. Maryly VanLeer Peck served as interim Headmistress. In 1999, then Head of the Upper School, Mike Wyman, took over the reins as Headmaster. In August of 2000, All Saints' Academy became a truly independent school, moving the Lower School from its longtime home at St. Paul's Episcopal Church to its new facilities at the Guy and Jan Bostick Lower School Campus on Carl Floyd Road. The new Bostick Campus housed students in grades PreK-3 through 5 and included the new Louise Hizer Early Childhood Center and the Thornhill Chapel.
The Hampton Campus grew substantially in 2002. The dedication of the Pou Chapel and the Hollis Bell Tower helped provide excellent facilities for students to pursue spiritual development. In spite of so much progress, All Saints' Academy students were still separated on two campuses. A team of trustees implemented a capital campaign, called "Mission Possible," to raise funds to bring both campuses together on one site.
The capital campaign was successful, and in 2004, the Anne MacGregor Jenkins Lower School was dedicated and opened at the State Road 540 West campus for students in grades PreSchool through 5. The Pou Chapel received an upgrade of stained glass windows and the "Shiloh," a pavilion for student activities, was opened. The Barnett Sports Center, including the Jahna Football & Soccer Stadium, David Jenkins Field Complex, John J. Harned Baseball & Softball Fields, Jack M. Berry Gymnasium, Hollis Dance Studio, Sikes-Cook Tennis Complex, weight training facility and track, was dedicated in the spring of 2004.
With both campuses finally united, All Saints' Academy continued to grow, establishing itself among the elite of Central Florida's prep schools. In 2006, the state-of-the-art Hollis Family Media & Research Center opened its doors. With the Academic Center, several computer labs, an audio/video production studio, auditorium and library, the Hollis Family Media & Research Center has opened up even more avenues of study to ASA students.
With the arrival of the new Head of School, Carolyn Baldwin, in 2011, All Saints' Academy continues the tradition of excellence by pursuing its mission to "...nurture the development of each student: academically, spiritually, socially, emotionally and physically in preparation for a successful and productive life in a complex world."
In 2012, All Saints' Academy increased its campus yet again with the addition of the Barnett Learning Commons, a 44,000 square foot facility for Middle and Upper School students. Complete with science labs, interactive classrooms, a Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurial Thinking, and cafetorium, the Barnett Learning Commons strengthened ASA's ability to provide an extraordinary educational experience for years to come.
