History of FPD
Members of the First Presbyterian Church recognized the need for a school to provide elementary and secondary education from a Christian perspective.
After a couple of years of study, they chartered First Presbyterian Day School in 1970. Their desire was to develop the whole child to live a life pleasing to God, serve the families of First Presbyterian Church, and impact the broader community. The initial facilities, consisting of ten acres of land and an elementary building, valued at $265,000, were purchased through a capital fund drive within the membership of the church.
The planning committee established an independent Board of Trustees and gave authority to govern the school under a charter issued by the state of Georgia. The school opened with 205 students in grades Kindergarten through eighth. Mr. Henry Middlebrooks served as FPD’s first Head of School and was joined by a small team of eleven faculty and staff.
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The First Few Years
Over the next five years, FPD experienced many changes.
The innovative partition method of classroom configuration, while cutting edge, was soon found to be impractical for limiting noise. Crews built interior walls by the second year. The board and administration added a high school building and gym by 1972, as FPD expanded to ninth grade and beyond. Crews laid a gravel parking lot for student parking and cleared land for baseball and football. Adding to the footprint, FPD added kindergarten and pre-kindergarten, building a separate kindergarten building. This initial campus development culminated with the graduation of the first class of 33 students in 1975.
The Legacy Continues
Over the next two decades, FPD continued to enhance its reputation as a strong academic school with a biblical foundation.
In 1997, FPD’s second Head of School, Mr. Gregg Thompson, took the helm and began a process of enhancing and expanding FPD. Major capital campaigns were completed in 2000 and 2007. The Clark Fine Arts Center, Middlebrooks Athletics Center, and a new administration building were constructed in 2000. A new high school building was completed in 2007, as well as extensive renovation of the other classroom buildings including the elementary school.
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In 2011, the Investing in Our Future Campaign resulted in a 1,200-square foot addition to the Middlebrooks Athletic Center. A two-story, 20,000 square foot addition to the Clark Fine Arts Center opened in 2013, housing additional art studios and exhibit space, an elementary music room, a dance studio, and chorus room. Later, FPD constructed a new lacrosse field, pavilion, cross country trail, and renovated the stadium and track & field area.
In 2003 and 2015, the elementary school of First Presbyterian Day School was named a Blue Ribbon School by the United State Department of Education. The middle school received the same award in 2012. The school was nominated by the Council for American Private Education (CAPE) based on standardized achievement test scores placing FPD among the top 15% of public and private schools nationwide and showcases FPD as a strong school that can be emulated.
In 2020 Dr. John Patterson became the head of school. He implemented the Chick-fil-a Leader Academy at FPD, improved FPD’s faculty evaluation and development initiatives, and spearheaded the renovation of FPD’s playgrounds as well as the campus entrance and exit. In 2023, FPD launched it's five-year strategic casting the vision future of the school.
FPD Today
Mr. Matt Kitchell became FPD’s fourth Head of School in 2025 and continues to build on FPD’s notable foundation.
The Board of Trustees needed Mr. Matt Kitchell Head of School at First Presbyterian Day School in the spring of 2025. A familiar and trusted leader, Mr. Kitchell has served as High School Principal for 11 years and taught at FPD for a decade prior. His deep love for the school, commitment to Christian education, and servant-hearted leadership uniquely position him to guide FPD into its next chapter.
Mr. Kitchell and his wife, April, have called Middle Georgia home for 25 years and are deeply invested in their church, community, and the mission of FPD. With a heart for eternal impact and a visionary outlook, he is already working closely with the Board to address the future needs of our school.
Are you ready to start your journey?
FPD exists to educate and equip students to change the world for God's glory. FPD provides a relationship-focused, academically-strong, Christ-centered experience for grades 3K - 12th. The strength of our school stems from the relationships between students and the Christ-centered faculty and staff who mentor them daily.
