​Liza Jackson maintains the high academic expectations which have proven successful since we opened in 2001. LJPS has been an A+ school each year, and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. 

Our students benefit from a rigorous academic program based on both state and national academic standards.

The small-school atmosphere and developmentally-appropriate school environment nurtures our students while at the same time preparing them for the upper grades. Expectations for conduct and behavior ensure that all students learn in an orderly, secure, and welcoming environment.

LJPS maximizes student learning and academic achievement by concentrating all of its resources on individual student improvement.  Teachers plan together daily in order to make effective cross-curricular connections.  Extensive data analysis by the administration and by teachers drive the curriculum content each year.

Class Pages

​Kaye McKinley, Principal

​Kaye McKinley holds a BS degree in Special Education K-12 and English K-12 from Texas Woman’s University and a Masters of Education in Educational Leadership from University of West Florida.  Mrs. McKinley has been an educator for 37 years in the United States, Europe and Asia.  Since arriving in Okaloosa County in 1993, she has been a Special Education teacher, General Education teacher, ESE staffing specialist, Director of ESE, Assistant Superintendent and Deputy Superintendent. She is married to Marv McKinley, retired USAF.  They have five children who are all active duty and/or married to military members.  They are the proud grandparents of 9 grandchildren.  Mrs. McKinley was duly commissioned in 2010 as the Military Family Education Liaison for the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children for the state of Florida. 

​Julie Jenzen,
​Assistant Principal

Julie Jenzen is the Vice-Principal at LJPS. She is a lifelong member of the Fort Walton Beach community, attending many local public schools. She has dual bachelor’s degrees in Special and Elementary Education, a master’s in Curriculum and Instruction with an Emphasis in Technology, a certification in Educational Leadership and is Gifted and ESOL endorsed.  Mrs. Jenzen taught in the Okaloosa County Public schools for 15 years before coming aboard at Liza Jackson in January of 2001, the year the school opened. ​

​Ms. Leiah Bolin, Elementary Coordinator

​Leiah Bolin is the Elementary Curriculum Coordinator, K-5. She also currently maintains the Success for All reading program and the Response to Intervention/MTSS process.

Previously, she worked as a second and fifth grade teacher at Liza Jackson Preparatory School. Her professional interests include cooperative learning, student engagement and reading instruction. She has completed consulting with failing schools on how to use these components to increase student achievement. 

She received her National Board Certification in Early Childhood Generalist in November of 2011. Ms. Bolin has a duel Bachelor’s in Exceptional Student Education and Elementary Education with ESOL Endorsement. She has a Masters of Education in Curriculum and Instruction Comprehensive Program in Elementary Education with a Reading Endorsement and a Masters in Educational Leadership from the University of West Florida.

Please do not hesitate to contact her with any questions or concerns.