This is a Magic Place. We Are Making Tomorrow!
Our Purpose
Providence Academy is a not for profit 501 (C) (3) that serves students in
grades K-12 who present with special needs in the areas of cognitive, language
and social development. Our students come to us with a variety of learning differences
including diagnosis of ADHD, PDD, High Functioning Autism and Learning Disabilities
like Dyslexia.
Our Mission
We are located in east and west Orlando. There are no other schools in East
and West Orlando that work with the population of children that Providence serves.
These students are not severe enough to be in intensive self-contained classes
and not able to make adequate progress with pull out programs offered in public
and other private schools. Our mission is to provide intensive, research based,
small group instruction, with integrated therapies, so that students will progress
and be able to live independently and become active members of the community.
Our Program
The program is very individualized. There are four students to every one teacher
and instruction often happens in groups of two or three children to every one
teacher. Instruction is based in latest research and targeted at each
child?s level. Language Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Social Skills
Training are integrated into the school day. Individual therapies can
be provided in addition to small group interventions, and our therapists work
with teachers to integrate motor, sensory and language goals into the classroom.
Our Success
Our students come to Providence and are often 3-5 years below grade level.
However, they typically make academic gains of 1 to 3 years during their first
year at Providence. Our Commitment To Promoting Independence
Community Service and School To Work programs are a component of Providence
as well, because we want our students to grow up and become independent, active
and fully functioning members of our community. Our graduates have gone
off to college or begun a vocation and Providence?s transition program provides
support to these students so that they can find success in higher education
and in life.
Our Present Needs Include
Scholarship Funds
Many of our students receive McKay Scholarship funding from
the state, but it is often not enough to cover the cost of tuition. When
a family moves in from out of state or the child has attended private school,
they are not eligible for the McKay funding, so parents must fund the
entire tuition. Parents are often struggling financially, but at the same
time see what Providence has done for their child and family. A scholarship
fund is key to the success and growth of Providence, so more families will have
access to this program. Scholarships can go toward a student?s tuition
and/or toward individual speech and language therapy, occupational therapy,
or counseling.
Technology
Our students learn very differently and technology can sometimes be the key
to unlocking a child?s potential. There are computer based programs that
improve auditory processing, processing speed, attention, reading comprehension
and can assist a child in communicating their ideas and needs. Many of these
programs are extremely costly and require updated computers to run the software.
Many of Providence?s computers are 10 years old and do not support the latest
software programs. We are seeking funds to purchase 30 new computers,
6 smart boards, and 20 I-Pads. This technology will be used to help make
reading, math and writing a more interactive process for students. It
will help train auditory pathways in their brain, so that they will be able
to more accurately identify and sequence sounds in order to decode words and
spell with greater efficiency and accuracy. It will improve processing
speed and verbal fluency by training the timing of the brain. It will
allow students to investigate information on the internet and integrate this
information by using pictures, visual organizers, and word processing programs
to create presentations and reports. It will allow us to download books
to increase our library and allow groups of students to participate in a book
share reading group and discussion. Smart boards will allow teachers to bring
abstract information to life and help students with language impairments and
learning disabilities the opportunity to comprehend complex information.
I-Pads can allow children with limited language to communicate by touching pictures
and then repeating what the computer voice says.
Capital Building Fund
Within the last five years that Providence has opened, our enrollment has more
than tripled. Our current locations are too small and we are bursting
at the seams. We have an opportunity to utilize a piece of property in
East Orlando to build a permanent facility for our students and provide them
with a play ground area and out door learning space. This project will
cost approximate $750,000.00 and will not only benefit our students, but also
help the church that will provide us with the land. This partnership will give
the students a place to learn and the community a place to meet in the evenings
and on weekends. Having a permanent building will lower Providence?s overhead
costs, so we do not have to raise tuition. We are currently looking for a similar
location in West Orlando and have plans to have a facility on that side of town
as well in order to better serve children within their community.
With your support we can change the lives of these children
and families to create a better tomorrow!