NEW SCHOOL COMES TO CRESTVIEW

Yes, the private schools are now targeting Crestview for their growth. With the tremendous growth coming to Crestview, I expect many other private schools will be targeting the Crestview marketi and it will help some of the stress to the school district until the other schools are completed.

Rocky Bayou to open Crestview campus
By BRIAN HUGHES Florida Freedom Newspapers

CRESTVIEW — The Central Baptist Church school playground is quiet now, but in a few months it will be filled with the sound of youngsters at play. Rocky Bayou Christian School of Niceville soon will establish a Crestview presence when it opens two voluntary pre-kindergarten classes this fall. Parents and educators recognize the value of socializing youngsters in a school setting. The state mandates school for 5-year-olds, but the voluntary pre-kindergarten program lowers the age to 4. Rocky Bayou Superintendent Don Larson has been considering opening a Crestview campus for several years, said Debra Marshall, who will be principal at the new campus. “The facility they have here at Central Baptist is wonderful,” Marshall said. She cited convenient parking, a kitchen and a safe, well-equipped playground among the benefits. Rocky Bayou plans to start small; it will offer two classes of 18 students each, Marshall said. Ultimately, Rocky Bayou hopes to offer education through the sixth grade at Central Baptist. “Our goal is to grow one or two grades a year,” Larson said. “We don’t want to grow too quickly and have the quality of our education suffer.” Central Baptist Pastor Scott Dennis said the church is excited about Rocky Bayou coming. When he brought the idea to the congregation for a vote last Sunday, there was no dissention, he said. “Everybody thinks it is a great idea,” Dennis said. Among the school’s eager supporters is Jacob Bracewell. He cavorted around the parking lot during Rocky Bayou’s ribbon-cutting Tuesday while his parents, the Rev. Dave and April Bracewell, kept a wary eye on their 4-year-old. “Are you looking forward to starting kindergarten this fall?” Bracewell, Central Baptist’s recreation minister, asked his son. “Yes!” came the instant reply. “Are you going play nice with the other kids?” Dad asked. “Yes!” “Are you going to work hard and learn your letters and learn about Jesus?” “Yes!” “Are you going to be good and stay out of the principal’s office?” “No!” Three out of four’s not bad.