Welcome to CFK Academy!  The Administrative and Counseling Departments are here to help make your transition seamless.
 
Please reach out to our School Registrar, Mrs. Hernandez, to set up an intake appointment and review Registration Information.  Our school counselor will meet with you to review student records and build a course schedule to meet student academic needs, interests, and goals.
 
Administrative Team
Ja-Ronika Veldheer, Principal - jaronika.veldheer@cfk.edu
Jen Alexander, Assistant Principal - jen.alexander@cfk.edu
Jessica Hernandez, Office Manager - jessica.hernandez1@cfk.edu
Brenda Huebscher, School Counselor - brenda.huebscher@cfk.edu
 
Mental Health Supports
CFK Academy's School Counselor and School Social Workers recognize that military students may be more likely to experience mental health challenges than other students and work together with parents/guardians, teachers, administrators, and additional school-based community counselors to support the whole child.  Together, we support students to enhance behavior management, coping skills, emotional regulation, and resiliency skills.  Our goal is to remove any barriers that impede academic success.
 
Guidance Care Center Prevention Specialist
Cheri Luongo, Crisis Counselor - cherilyn.luongo@westcare.com
  • school-based intervention & counseling supports
  • school-based drug and tobacco prevention
Military Family Liaison 
Kimberly Bacon, Military Family School Liaison 
keywestsl@us.navy.mil - 305-293-2099                    
  • support building skills & resilience
  • help with deployment stress, relocation, relationship issues, parents, grief and loss, and more

Student Ambassadors

The CFK Academy Student Ambassador Program is intended to welcome new students and ease their anxiety about transitioning to a new school by providing a welcoming friend to help them become comfortable.  On the new student's first day, a student ambassador welcomes the student in the office and escorts him/her to class.  During the student's first few days, the ambassador will answer questions for the student, sit with him/her at lunch and ensure the student is introduced to peers. Ambassadors are trained by administration and the school counselor.

Upcoming Military Recognition Events

  • Every Friday: Soldiers Angels
    • CFKA students are welcome to volunteer at the Oasis Retirement Facility on Fridays with our Soldiers Angels program. Students receive community service/ volunteer hours and spend quality time with elderly residents, some of which are Military Veterans. Some of the activities include preparing for holidays, playing games, reading, painting nails and just helping the residents in general with daily functions. 
  • November, 2025: Cards for Veterans
    • The week leading up to Veteran's Day, students write letters to local veterans to spread appreciation for their service. Students include drawings and other goodies inside these letters and distribute them to the VFW, American Legion, the VA Medical Facility and the CFK Veterans Affairs office to thank them for serving our country. 
  • November 11, 2025: Key West Veteran's Day Parade
    • CFKA participates in the Key West Veteran's Day parade to show our support for our military-connected families and local veterans. Families are welcome to join us in honoring our veterans. Parents are also encouraged to help the PAC organize this event.
  • April, 2026: Purple Up for Military Kids
    • During Purple Up month, we recognize our military-connected students.  Local military leaders acknowledge each military-connected child personally and present them with a certificate for their service. Students wear purple on Military Child day and celebrate all month long with features in the newsletter, morning announcements and the whole school gets purple cupcakes!
Resources and Educational Opportunities for Military Students

CFK Academy Program Summary: Opportunities for Student Growth

CFK Academy offers a comprehensive high school experience that extends beyond the classroom, focusing on academics, leadership, community engagement, and specialized electives.

Service & Leadership Opportunities
  • Friday Opportunities
    CFK Academy students participate in two distinct types of programming on Fridays: Community Service and Leadership Development.
    • Community Service Students volunteer in the community in various capacities. These opportunities may include:
        • Serving as a "reading buddy" for younger elementary students.
        • Supporting local environmental efforts at the Key West Botanical Garden.
        • Assisting older adults at the Oasis retirement community.
        • Volunteering around the CFK campus at locations like the Tennessee Williams Theatre and the aquaculture marine lab.
  • Leadership Fridays: These are dedicated to school-wide activities such as Project-Based Learning (PBL), teambuilding exercises, and instruction on the leadership curriculum.
  • Clubs & Honor Societies - A variety of clubs are available to help students pursue interests and develop leadership skills:
    • National Honor Society (NHS): Recognizes and encourages high school students who demonstrate outstanding achievement in scholarship and leadership.
    • Student Council: These are the leaders on campus responsible for planning and executing fun campus events.
    • Interact Club: Sponsored by a local Rotary Club, this group empowers young people to become community leaders and promote international understanding.
    • Special Interest Clubs: Students can join groups such as Academic ChallengeArtMusic, and Bible Studies. Students are also encouraged to form new clubs if they gather enough interest from their peers.

Academic Enrichment & Support - Diverse Electives

We offer a robust selection of diverse elective options that allow students to explore specialized fields and earn professional certifications:

  • Aviation Program: Students can work toward obtaining their pilot's license.
  • Biomedical Science: Courses, sponsored by Project Lead the Way, prepare students for careers in the medical field or nursing.
  • Career and Technical Education (CTE): Students can earn CTE and computer science certifications.

Dual Enrollment (DE) - By their junior year of high school, most of our undergraduates take at least one Dual Enrollment (DE) course through the college. This pathway allows students to earn an Associate in Arts (AA) or Associate in Science (AS) degree upon high school graduation.

Tutoring Program

CFK Academy is committed to providing comprehensive academic support for all high school students (grades 9-12). Our robust tutoring program ensures that help is available across all subject areas, from core academics like Math, English, Science, and History, to more specialized courses.

Information on exceptional student education services
 
CFK Academy is dedicated to providing comprehensive and continuous support for military-connected students with diverse learning needs. We work collaboratively with the Monroe County School District to ensure seamless transition, including supporting the creation of Individualized Education Plans (IEPs) or 504 Plans and implementing necessary academic accommodations.