Beth Johnstone thought she’d tied a nice bow on her more than 30 years as an educator. Her mind had turned to retirement.

Then came January 21, 2013.

On this winter day, Beth was given a prophecy from fellow Life Center Church member Deborah McMillan. The Lord was speaking through Deborah, informing Beth she was “about to embark on a new journey.”

“Life as you know it is about to change,” read part of the prophecy. “You will fulfill your destiny.”

It was at that very moment Beth knew her educational mission was not at an end. In fact, it was beginning anew.

Seven short months after receiving the prophecy, with plenty of prayer and planning in between, Beth opened Life Christian Academy (LCA) at Stearman Center in White House with 16 students. In the 10 years since, LCA has grown to more than 200 students, making it perhaps the best-kept secret in the area.

In partnership with the White House Area Chamber of Commerce, the school celebrated its 10th anniversary along with the opening of its new elementary wing during a ribbon-cutting ceremony on July 20.

“I’ve been involved with Beth from the very beginning of Life Christian Academy,” says White House Chamber President/CEO Mandy Christenson, who also serves on the board of LCA. “She shared her vision of the school with me, and I was immediately on board. Both of our children went there, so we’ve built a lot of memories. It holds a special place in our hearts because of the impact it made on our kids very early in their educational journey.

“The fact that Beth has been steadily growing the school and impacting the community for 10 years is amazing and such a blessing.”

The goal of this preschool and private Christian school serving youngsters from 6 weeks old through 5th grade is to provide high-quality instruction and Biblical child training where children are nurtured spiritually, intellectually, socially, and emotionally.

“We firmly believe in the words from Proverbs 22:6 … ‘Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old they will not turn from it,’” says Beth, whose daughters, Tori, Mackenzie, and Faithe are also part of the school’s staff. “God was laying it on my heart to create Life Christian Academy, and I didn’t want to miss that opportunity.”

Beth stresses that LCA’s use of the Abeka curriculum — which applies Biblical values to the academic environment — combined with smaller classes averaging 15 students results in high achievement levels.

“We have the ability to give more individualized attention in the classroom,” she explains. “Our test scores are awesome.”

Beth proudly gives two examples. Third-graders at LCA most recently tested at an average 4.8 grade level, while second-graders tested at a grade level of 4.2.

The school’s proactive approach in the classroom also extends to protecting the children learning there. LCA was one of the first private schools in the area to hire a full-time armed security guard after the tragic Covenant School shooting in Nashville on March 27. Steven Beck serves in this important position.

“These kids are like family to me and our staff,” emphasizes Beth. “You get attached to them. We’ll do whatever it takes to keep them safe.”

A safe learning environment. Educational excellence. Christian discipleship. It’s a blend proving successful at Life Christian Academy.