Our Story

Who We Are

Kingdom Learning Academy (KLA) is a faith-based early childhood education center dedicated to nurturing the whole child through Kingdom principles, discipleship, and academic excellence. Our mission is to equip children with a strong foundation rooted in the Word of God while fostering their spiritual, intellectual, social, and emotional growth.

We believe that every child is uniquely created by God, with special gifts, talents, and a divine purpose. Through Christ-centered learning and a loving community, we prepare children to thrive academically and spiritually, empowering them to be leaders who impact the world for God's Kingdom.

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Kingdom Learning Academy is a faith-based nonprofit organization preparing to launch in Houston, Texas. We are in the early stages of development, building the foundation to provide high-quality, faith-centered education for children and families. Our mission is to create a Christ-centered learning environment that nurtures children spiritually, academically, and socially. As we prepare for our official launch, we invite families, educators, and community partners to join us in bringing this vision to life!

 

Meet Our Founder

Chiquita Southerland – Founder & CEO

Kingdom Learning Academy was founded by Chiquita Southerland, a passionate early childhood educator, entrepreneur, and visionary leader. With a deep calling from God to impact the lives of children and families through faith-based education, Chiquita has dedicated her life to building learning environments that reflect Kingdom values.

Before launching KLA, she successfully owned and operated Nurturing Nature Childcare in central Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from 2014 to 2022. Her experience in early childhood education, coupled with her faith-driven mission, led her to relocate to Houston, Texas, to establish Kingdom Learning Academy. Her vision extends beyond education—she is committed to empowering families, training teachers, and fostering a community where children grow in both faith and knowledge.

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Our Core Values: The LIFE² Framework

At Kingdom Learning Academy, we live by the LIFE² Framework, which represents our commitment to:

• Love – Demonstrating Christ’s love in all we do.

• Learning – Encouraging a passion for knowledge and wisdom.

• Integrity – Walking in truth and accountability.

• Intentionality – Purposefully teaching and discipling children.

• Faith – Trusting God in every step of the journey.

• Family/Fellowship – Building a strong, supportive community.

• Excellence – Striving for the highest standards in education and discipleship.

• Empathy – Caring for each child, family, and teacher with Christ-like compassion.