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An Exceptional Academy for Differently-Abled Learners
As Kristine Erice watched her son, Dylan, and his 14 classmates high five and cheer one another on during a group activity at Exceptional Academy for Differently-Abled Learners, Inc., she “just sat there and cried [her] eyes out. [She] really felt validation. To see these kids just making friends and cheering each other on was everything to [her].”
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Kristine began fundraising to found the private, non-profit Exceptional Academy for Differently-Abled Learners, Inc. in August 2019. By January 2020, the school was open for 15 students in grades 1-6 with autism and related disabilities to come and learn not only academic subjects, but also social and life skills. Kristine‛s motivation for starting the school, which is the only one of its kind in St. Lucie County, was to provide Dylan, and other local children with autism and related disabilities, an environment where the focus is on their abilities instead of their disabilities. Kristine explains, “Every child is different, so we really look at each individual child and what their needs are and we basically cater to those. It‛s like getting the homeschool experience, but the parents aren‛t doing the homeschooling, we are. And the kids also get that social piece because they‛re with all of these other kids.” The response to the new
By Gabby Gregory school was so considerable that Kristine had to form a waiting list. She and her husband, Matt Saxton, who is the CFO of the academy, knew that they would have to expand so that they could serve even more families. Opportunity came knocking when Kristine made a last minute decision to enjoy lunch with her mentor. At the same time, Jeremiah Baron, a well-known and respected real estate agent, walked into the same restaurant and was introduced to Kristine through her mentor. Baron has two children who are on the spectrum, so he and Kristine chatted about her school and its mission. Soon after, Baron provided the funds to expand the Exceptional Academy for Differently-Abled Learners to become Baron Academy. The new Baron Academy is in a larger location, so it will be able to accommodate up to 80 students beginning this school year. Additionally, children in grades K-8 will now be able to enroll at the school. Baron Academy will have 1 teacher for every 18 students, so the individualized focus and care will remain consistent with the expansion. Most of the students also have a one-on-one ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) therapist who accompanies them throughout the school day, but if your child does not have one, then Kristine will help you find one! Insurance pays for this service, and Kristine works with specific companies who prioritize pairing each child with a therapist who is a good fit. Additionally, you don‛t have to stress about your finances if your child attends Baron Academy. The school is part of the Florida State Scholarship Program, and Kristine will help you through the process of applying for the right aid. Anyone can attend Baron Academy, you don‛t have to live in St. Lucie County! If you‛re willing to drive your child to Port St. Lucie, then Baron Academy welcomes you with open arms. Kristine understands that it can be a real challenge to find the right school and environment for children with autism, especially in this area, so she wants to support
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