BAY COUNTY, FL--- Bay Haven Charter Academy's board of directors have approved an ambitious expansion proposal that will mean three new schools in Bay County.

The North Bay Haven Charter Academy will consist of a K-5 school, a 6-through 8 school and a high school.

When the academy opens in August, the high school will only house 9th grade, a new grade added each of the next three years.

For the first two years the academy will operate out of the old Panama City Christian School campus at Central Baptist Church.

Panama Christian closed last year because of falling enrollment and budget problems.

North Bay Haven will rent those facilities until they can move into a permanent home.

They're in negotiation to take over and renovate the airport terminal, after it closes later this year.

"From a community's standpoint we would love to have our new school at the old airport terminal, but again that's pending negotiations which we are in right now," says board member Chuck Tucker.

The board's approval of the new North Bay Haven Academy is welcome news for current Bay Haven students, their parents, and those who want to attend the school.

The K-through 8 school's enrollment is currently capped about 1,000 students, with more than 2,000 on a waiting list.

"I was sweating bullets and thank God my 8th grader will be able to continue with bay haven and the academic excellence that he's getting now ," says parent Albert Ford.

The North Bay Haven Charter Academy will initially accept 650 students while house at the temporary church location.

That will grow to around 1,000 once the school moves to its permanent home.

The new schools will create 53 new jobs.

There is an immediate opening for a principal which is a priority.

Open enrollment for the new school runs from Thursday night until midnight May 15th.

Then there will be a lottery to select the 650 students that will get to attend the new school.

Applications are available at http://www.nbhca.ws/