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About Us

Gina Fonseca, Principal

Gina R. Fonseca is honored to serve as the Principal at Freedom Crossing Academy. Her educational journey began at the University of South Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science in Education and a Masters Degree in Educational Leadership. The day she stepped into the classroom, she knew there was no other place she wanted to be, connecting with students, sparking their curiosity, and challenging them to reach their goals.

Mrs. Fonseca served as a Human Relations Specialist supporting teachers and at-risk students, as an Assistant Principal in various capacities, and most recently, as the Director of Secondary Education, Curriculum for St. Johns County School District. Throughout her career, she has been committed to guiding, mentoring and supporting teachers, imparting best practices to inspire and teach children to reach their full potential.

Trust and positivity imbue her many attributes and are the cornerstone to the culture she embraces. She believes the education of our students is a collaborative effort and often quotes the saying “Students do not care what you know until they know that you care”. By connecting with students to develop positive relationships, she strongly believes it leads them to discover what they have within themselves. These guiding principles have driven her throughout her career. Mrs. Fonseca is beyond excited to serve at FCA and looks forward to taking flight and breaking barriers with all of you!


Melissa Lime, Vice Principal

Melissa Lime is honored to serve as the Vice Principal at Freedom Crossing Academy. Mrs. Lime is a St. Augustine native who earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science and obtained a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education and Post Master’s Certificate in Educational Leadership from the University of North Florida. Throughout her 18+ years in K-12 education, Mrs. Lime has served St. Johns County School District in a variety of roles including classroom teacher, instructional literacy coach, coordinator for the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program, curriculum coordinator, and assistant principal. In 2021, Mrs. Lime was recognized as the St. Johns County School District Outstanding Assistant Principal of the Year.

Mrs. Lime is a champion for all students and is passionate about creating a positive school culture where all students feel connected, supported, and valued every day. Her leadership philosophy and core beliefs are rooted in fostering positive and trusting relationships with her students and families and creating strong partnerships with the community. Since opening Freedom Crossing Academy in 2018, Mrs. Lime has inspired and empowered students to demonstrate outstanding character, leadership, and positive behavior by adhering to the “FCA Way” behavior expectations at school and throughout the community. She is also passionate about creating a collaborative school culture where teachers have a shared ownership for student learning and create a nurturing and safe learning environment focused on high levels of engagement and student achievement. Mrs. Lime enjoys collaborating and partnering with the school community to create authentic learning experiences and exciting opportunities for students to “break barriers” in their academics, athletics, and the arts.

Mrs. Lime is also actively involved in the community and serves on the Advisory Board for The Players Championship Boys & Girls Club. In 2019, she was recognized as one of St. Augustine’s “40 Under Forty” young professionals who demonstrate outstanding leadership and service to the community. She is honored to serve the students and families at FCA and proud to be a Falcon!


Cassandra Hurst, Assistant Principal 6-8

coming soon

Savannah Sims, Assistant Principal K-2

Savannah Sims is excited and honored to be serving as Freedom Crossing Academy’s K-2 Assistant Principal.  Ms. Sims was raised in St. Johns County schools and has watched the county grow into one of the most successful and respected counties in Florida.  She graduated from Flagler College with a Bachelor of Arts Degree and then went on to earn her Master’s Degree in Educational Leadership from St. Leo University.  Mrs. Sims began teaching in 1st grade and then moved into 2nd and 4th grades to teach.  After her teaching stint in Elementary education, Ms. Sims started her journey educating middle school students.  She taught both math and science in grades 6-8 at Pacetti Bay Middle School.  Most recently, Savannah Sims, served as the Testing Coordinator at PBMS. 

Ms. Savannah Sims has been married for 16 years to her high school sweetheart and has 3 boys, who also attend St. Johns County Schools.  Her family loves to do anything outdoors including fishing, camping, and raising chickens.  She loves to travel to the mountains and watching sports.  She is a huge baseball and football fan and is a diehard Jacksonville Jaguar fan.  Her favorite baseball players are of course her children. 

Ms. Sims prides herself on building relationships with families, students and staff in order to help build a village that will make learning the best experience it can be.  She enjoys helping anyone in need and ensuring that school is a place where students can go to feel safe, encouraged, and loved.  She hopes that every community member who, comes into contact with Freedom Crossing Academy, will have a positive and impactful experience.  Ms. Sims truly looks forward to this upcoming year where all Falcons can Break Barriers and Take FLIGHT!


Matthew Duggan, Assistant Principal 3-5

Matthew Duggan is the Assistant Principal for grades 3-5 at Freedom Crossing Academy.  Mr. Duggan earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History and his Master of Education in Elementary Education from University of Florida as well as a Master of Educational Leadership from Saint Leo University.  Mr. Duggan has served in various roles in St. Johns, Duval, and Hillsborough County Schools.  Mr. Duggan most recently was the Testing Coordinator and Athletic Director at Patriot Oaks Academy.  He has also been a SAC Chair, Leadership Team member, and graduate of the St. Johns County Phase I Leadership Academy.  Mr. Duggan has also been a Dean in Duval County and has extensive experience teaching grades 4-8, for close to 15 years.  Mr. Duggan cares deeply about the safety and well-being of all students, especially in their social and emotional health. Mr. Duggan is about supporting collaborative learning, teacher support and servant leadership. He is proud to be a part of the FCA administrative team.


LiveSchool Parent Guide


About our School

School Established – 2018
School Location – Aberdeen community, St Johns County, FL
Area Served – Aberdeen and Rivertown Communities
First Principal – Allen Anderson
School Cost – $38 million, funded by the Half-Cent Sales Tax
School Mascot – Falcon
School Colors – Navy, Grey, Kelly Green
School Capacity – approximately 1,490 students
School Building – 190,000 square feet
Feeder Pattern High Schools – Bartram Trail HS & Creekside HS
School Design – The design is a modification of Patriot Oaks and Valley Ridge Academies with the addition of a third floor that houses 8 classrooms, 3 science labs, ESE classrooms, a Technology Lab, Business Lab, Skills Lab and Resource Room. Due to tremendous growth, 30 modular classrooms have been added.

Teacher of the Year 2018 – Matt Ostrowsky – St Johns County TOY Finalist

Teacher of the Year 2019 – Julie Haden – St Johns County TOY Finalist

Teacher of the Year 2020 – Jessica Brown

Teacher of the Year Middle School 2021 – Jill Loughran
Teacher of the Year Elementary 2021 – Ashley Anderson

Teacher of the Year Middle School 2022 – Sherry Galbraith
Teacher of the Year Elementary School 2022 – Jeremy Reed

Teacher of the Year Middle School 2023 – Zach Sharpe
Teacher of the Year Elementary School 2023 – Kim Denny


Rookie Teacher of the Year 2019 – Ashley Alford

Rookie Teacher of the Year 2020 – Alyssa Gavron

Rookie Teacher of the Year Elementary 2021 – Karina Ringdahl
Rookie Teacher of the Year Middle School 2021– David Zeinert

Rookie Teacher of the Year Elementary 2022 – Brooke Dougherty
Rookie Teacher of the Year Middle School 2022 – Scott Ewertz

Rookie Teacher of the Year Elementary 2023 – Aimee Banion
Rookie Teacher of the Year Middle School 2023 – Alexys Troyer


School Related Employee of the Year 2018 – Staci Boyer – SJC Employee of the Year
School Related Employee of the Year 2019 – Katie Richards
School Related Employee of the Year 2020 – John Reed
School Related Employee of the Year 2021 – Sean Eaton
School Related Employee of the Year 2022 – Meghan Atherton
School Related Employee of the Year 2023 – Ellen Albano


School Mission Statement: “Falcons take FLIGHT”
The letters in FLIGHT encompass qualities that we want for our students and staff = Focus, Leadership, Imagination, Grit, Heart, and Team

School Vision Statement: “Breaking Barriers”
It is our goal for our students, staff and school to ‘break the barriers’ that are holding us from the next step in our dreams and achievements.  These could include such things as the fear to fail, misconceptions, a fixed mindset, self-esteem, etc.

School Logo:


We did it again!
Time to celebrate! Freedom Crossing Academy has been recognized for our resilience in implementing a school-wide Positive Behavior Interventions and Support (PBIS) framework during the 2020- 2021 school year. PBIS is a set of strategies based in behavioral and biomedical science that enhances student quality of life and reduces problem behaviors. National research shows that full implementation of this framework leads to improved student outcomes. By establishing this framework, we are developing student skills, making changes to the school environment, acknowledging appropriate student behavior, and using data to identify needed supports for our students. As a result of this work, we are being recognized by the FLPBIS Project for achieving PBIS Model School status. This award demonstrates our commitment to the effective implementation of PBIS, our successful LiveSchool Reward System, and our efforts towards achieving positive and equitable outcomes for all students. To learn more about the FLPBIS Project’s Model School program, visit www.flpbis.org


Falcons In the News:
Creekline: “Falcons Soar Through their First Year”
http://www.floridanewsline.com/creekline-st-johns/freedom-crossing-falcons-soar-through-first-year/

Who are the Funky Falcons?

Funky Falcons all started with a fun, simple idea. “Let’s do a flash mob for our students.” We got together and decided on fun outfits and found the perfect song to dance to at our first home basketball game. It was so much fun that we had to do it again. Since then, we have performed many more times and gained new members each time. Funky Falcons consist of teachers, faculty members, and administration.  We are dancing through barriers!