Our Story

The ministry of Orlando Christian Prep is an extension of the work of Orlando Baptist Church. Orlando Baptist Church was founded in 1958 under the leadership of Pastor Jewell Smith. It was in 1960 that the church began the Christian school ministry with the development of a Kindergarten program. The Christian school ministry grew over the years to include a pre-school through twelfth grade student body. It was in 1987 that Dr. David Janney was called to Pastor the church. It was his philosophy of “excellence in all we do” that encouraged the Deacon Board to re-examine the effectiveness of the Christian school program at that time. After much prayer, the Deacons made the decision to reduce the school to a pre-school and elementary school only. Their goal was to seek quality degreed staff and administrators and a quality educational program. In 1989 with an enrollment of 123 students, Mrs. Janet Darroch was hired as the Principal of the preschool through sixth grade. During the next five years, Mrs. Darroch once again successfully established a reputation of academic excellence within the community.

In 1994 with an enrollment of 175 students, Dr. Mike Zobel was added to the administrative team with the purpose of expanding development of the school to twelfth grade and obtaining accreditation with FACCS. In 1996, FACCS accreditation was granted and has successfully been maintained to the present.

OCP’s first graduating class was in 2000 and the school has experienced a steady growth over the years to our present enrollment of over 400 students. Our graduates have attended a wide range of Christian and secular colleges. These include Liberty University, University of Florida, Rollins College, University of Central Florida, Clearwater Christian College, Seminole and Valencia Community Colleges, Palm Beach Atlantic and Baptist Bible College.