Central Academy
3624 Lake Park Road Indian Trail, NC 28279
Who We Are
Central Academy at Lake Park admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, financial aid programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.
Central Academy at Lake Park (formerly Lake Park Christian Academy) is open to all students in grades K-12th. We are a Church of God, board-run, private school.
We practice hands-on, cooperative style learning. We believe that the more a student is involved, the more he or she will learn.
Kindergarten begins our phonics based reading program. This is reinforced through the 2nd grade, with added emphasis towards comprehension.
There is an emphasis placed on reading and creative writing throughout all grades.
We emphasize mastery in all of our subjects. Caring, qualified teachers know how to challenge and equip each student.
The high school program is college preparatory and the goal is to prepare students with knowledge, resources, and opportunities that will assist them in making spiritually directed college and career decisions. This objective is accomplished by guiding students and parents through the college preparation and decision making process.
We offer optional extra-curricular athletic activities in basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. We offer a student praise and worship team for chapel services.
The school day begins at 8:30am for all students. Our kindergarteners are dismissed at 2pm while 1st-12th grades are dismissed at 3:00pm.
We offer tuition discounts for multiple children.
We urge you to set up a personal tour of our school at your earliest convenience.
HEAD OF SCHOOL
Carrie Neller holds an undergraduate degree from Houghton College in New York and a master's degree in Education from DePaul University. Ms. Neller has been in the field of education for 20 years. She was the Director of Supplemental Programs at Hawaii Baptist Academy, a K-12 college prep school of 1,000 students. She also served as High School Assistant Principal at ASSETS School, an independent K-12 school in Honolulu. In addition to administrative positions, Carrie has taught in private Christian schools. She has also held administrative positions in the corporate world. In her leisure, Carrie enjoys traveling, walking, camping, reading, and doing jigsaw puzzles. She and her husband reside in Monroe.
ASSISTANT HEAD OF SCHOOL
Dr. Mildred Similton is a native of Charlotte, NC. A graduate of Pfeiffer University and UNC-Charlotte, she earned her Ph.D. in Psychology from North Carolina State University. Prior to joining the academy, Dr. Similton worked in higher education for fifteen years as an academic assessment officer, a professor and as director of a college preparatory program. She joined the Academy in 2003 to begin development of the high school program. Since that time she has served as interim administrator and academic dean. Her scholarly research has included evaluating the effectiveness of Freshman Seminar Programs and identifying indicators of healthy family functioning. Dr. Similton serves as president of the Greater Charlotte Association of Christian Schools. A member of Central Church of God, she resides in Lake Park with her husband and children.
ADMISSIONS DIRECTOR
Elrita Curry is originally from Lumberton, NC. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting at Barber-Scotia College in Concord. Mrs. Curry's background is in banking and she has provided 25 years of service in that field. She brings a variety of knowledge and skills that contribute to the diverse needs of a growing Christian education environment. Mrs. Curry has always had a passion for the academic and spiritual needs of children and has volunteered in the Union County school system and teaches first grade Sunday School at Central Church of God. She resides in Waxhaw with her husband and children.
ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
Dale Similton is a native of Kannapolis, NC. He earned his undergraduate degree at Mars Hill College where he was an All-American football player. He has almost 20 years of experience in private education as a middle school history teacher, intramural coordinator and varsity coach. His coaching experiences include middle school football and middle and high school basketball and track. Mr. Similton is also founder and director of the ministry Similton Faith, Hope and Love Camps. A member of Central Church of God, he resides in Lake Park with his family.
DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR
Shari Tuz is originally from Hershey, Pennsylvania and has a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and Business Administration from Grove City College. She joined the LPCA staff in 2004 and has 12 years of experience in non-profit fundraising and marketing. She lives in the Charlotte area with her husband and son. She enjoys photography, aerobics and traveling.
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT
Ashley Fowler earned her Computer Applications Specialist Diploma from King's College in Charlotte and has a background in human resources and administrative support. She is originally from the Wesley Chapel area and currently resides in Monroe and is a member of Eastwood Forest Baptist Church in Matthews.
MAINTENANCE/CUSTODIAL
Vasiliy Kotsyuba is originally from Ukraine. Before coming to Central Academy, he worked at a private elementary school in Albany, NY doing maintenance/custodial work. He now resides in Lake Park with his family. He also serves as associate pastor at Slavic Evangelical Church - Emmanuel.
ELEMENTARY TEACHERS
KINDERGARTEN
Bonnie Platzer graduated from State University of New York-College of Buffalo with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has 8 years of experience in public and private schools. Mrs. Platzer and her family reside in Charlotte.
FIRST GRADE
Kim Hucks graduated from the University of South Carolina with a BA in Early Childhood and has 14 years of teaching experience. She enjoys spending time with her family, playing piano, singing, reading, vacationing at the beach and hiking. She and her husband reside in Monroe and have three children.
SECOND GRADE
Pam Ketchie has over fourteen years of teaching experience in public and private schools. She was one of the first teachers hired at the Academy the first year the school began. She received her Bachelor’s and Master's Degree from Valdosta State University in Early Childhood Education. She and her husband have one daughter who is a student at Central Academy. The family resides in Charlotte. Mrs. Ketchie’s hobbies include eating chocolate, gardening, boating, reading, and hiking.
THIRD GRADE
Celia Warrenfeltz earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Early Childhood Education from Clemson University and a Master of Human Development and learning from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. She has ten years of elementary classroom teaching experience ranging from kindergarten to fifth grade. She and her husband have two sons and are members of Matthews United Methodist Church. Mrs. Warrenfeltz enjoys reading, walking, nature, bridge and needlework.
FOURTH GRADE
Rita Nichols graduated from Louisiana State University with a Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education. She has taught for more than 25 years in both public and private schools. She has two children and one grandson. Mrs. Nichols and her husband reside in Matthews. Her interests include sewing, gardening, shelling and genealogy.
FIFTH GRADE
Christina Corpening earned her B.A. degree in Elementary Education from UNC-Charlotte. She taught in public and Christian schools for seven years, working with grades second through ninth. Ms. Corpening and her family live in Charlotte and attend Mecklenburg Community Church.
MIDDLE & HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY
Brenda Goodbrad teaches middle school Language Arts, Bible and Health. She will also be coaching the girls' volleyball team. She earned her B.A. degree from Gardner-Webb University. Miss Goodbrad enjoys music, volleyball, being outdoors, Bible study and being with friends.
Kevin Aycock teaches middle and high school courses with a primary focus in history and social studies. His bachelor's degree was earned at UNC-Charlotte, where he is currently completing a masters degree in History. Mr. Aycock has experience teaching at other Christian and public schools in the Salisbury and Concord areas. He lives in Concord and enjoys reading and spending time with his family.
Allyson Davis teaches middle and high school math. She is a native of Charlotte, and graduated from Appalachian State University with a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics and a 9-12 Teaching Certificate. After graduating, she taught for ten years in the public sector. Ms. Davis has attended Central Church of God for eighteen years. She and her husband have three children.
Willa McGhee teaches middle school language arts, history and Bible as well as high school English and speech. She earned her B.A. from UNC-Charlotte and has taught in Christian schools for 15 years. Her favorite pastimes include reading, hiking, horseback riding, and spending time with her two sons.
Marilis Santos teaches middle and high school Spanish. Ms. Santos is originally from Puerto Rico and earned degrees in Elementary Education and Spanish from the University of Puerto Rico. She will soon begin working toward a Master's degree in Special Education from Grand Canyon University of Arizona. She taught Spanish five years in Puerto Rico and one year in a local public high school. She and her husband have three children. Mrs. Santos enjoys music, and is part of the Latino music ministry at Steele Creek Church in Charlotte.
Tom Ward teaches middle school science, math and social studies in addition to high school World History and science. He earned a B.A. in Political Science from Drew University (Madison, NJ) and a B.A. in Biblical Education from Florida Bible College. Also, he studied secondary education at Pensacola Christian College. He has 22 years teaching and/or administrative experience in Christian Schools in North Carolina and New Jersey. Mr. Ward and his wife reside in Monroe. His hobbies include cartooning, writing, 1/43 scale slot racing and playing bluegrass harmonica.
Olga Zhushma teaches middle and high school math. Her impressive educational background includes undergraduate degrees in Mathematics (The College of Saint Rose, NY) and Mechanical Engineering (Union College, NY) as well as a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute). Originally from the Ukraine, she now resides in Lake Park with her husband and their three children.
SUPPORT FACULTY & STAFF
MEDIA SPECIALIST
Lori Gruginski graduated from Missouri Southern State College with a BS in Education and is in her 14th year as an educator. She and her husband are budget counselors for Crown Ministries and she tutors adults through the Literacy Council of Union County. She enjoys nature trails, scrapbooking, reading and spending time with friends. She and her husband live in Indian Trail and have one daughter.
ELEMENTARY RESOURCE TEACHER
Sherry Watts earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Education from UNCC. She has taught in both public and private schools. She and her husband reside in Weddington and have two children. They are members at Southbrook Community Church. She enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, dancing, reading, scrapbooking, and hiking.
MUSIC TEACHER
Jerry Kemper is a worship leader and Christian recording artist with a B.S. in Elementary Education. His desire is to develop students not only musically, but also spiritually. Mr. Kemper teaches Elementary music, leads the Praise Band, and provides private music lessons. He and his wife reside in Matthews.
ART
Mila Antonyuk earned her Master's Degree in Art Education and has more than 20 years of teaching experience. Originally from Europe, she was an art instructor at School of Art in Ukraine, Technical College in Estonia and Christian School in Seattle, WA. She is a member of Central Church of God and resides with her family in Matthews. She enjoys making pottery, painting and gardening.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Lauren Lawrence earned her undergraduate degree in Education from Lee University. Her experience includes five years of teaching in Christian schools and 15 years in the homeschooling community. Mrs. Lawrence, her husband and two children live in Charlotte and have been members of Central Church of God for 25 years. She enjoys singing in her church choir, reading and gardening.
SPANISH
Brenda Goodbrad teaches elementary Spanish in addition to middle school classes and coaching the girls' volleyball team. She earned her B.A. degree from Gardner-Webb University. Miss Goodbrad enjoys music, volleyball, being outdoors, Bible study and being with friends.