History of Florida Air Academy

Over 60 years ago, Ernest Kouwen-Hoven erected the first building on what is now the Florida Air Academy campus. It was a magnificent Spanish Mediterranean-style mansion, complete with Art Deco interior. He used the mansion as his home for only one year, before selling it in 1926 to A.S. Widrig, who added extra rooms to it and re-named the property "The Lincoln Hotel." In 1957, The Lincoln Hotel was sold to August J. Rimer, the original owner of the Green Bay Packers. He re-named the hotel "The Belcelona." Mr. Rimer sold The Belcelona Hotel in 1961 to Jonathan Dwight, a teacher and aviation enthusiast from New Jersey. Several months later, with his wife Emmy Dwight, he founded Florida Air Academy, a military-style college preparatory school for young men.

Today Florida Air Academy is run by Jonathan and Emmy Dwight's children, with son James Dwight celebrating his 21st year as President of the school. In 2004 their grandson, Kyle Dwight Powers, graduated from the Academy and another grandson and granddaughter currently attend. The fact that F.A.A. is a family enterprise and has been for all of its 50 years creates a unique atmosphere that pervades all aspects of school life.

In 2005, Florida Air Academy began accepting female students in both boarding and day capacities. The girls have made an excellent contribution to the school and have raised the bar academically. Three out of the last five valedictorians have been girls.

This year we are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the start of Florida Air Academy!