It is with great pride that I announce the graduation of my son from the University of Florida. From Pre-K to 4th grade, I was told that my son probably would not graduate from high school and I should consider enrolling him in some sort of trade school. AJ was very frustrated in school and he and I spent hours studying to try and "fit in" to public school academia. While trade schools can be an excellent career choice, I felt AJ had a different path in life. I knew he was bright, articulate, imaginative, humorous, eager to learn. I saw beauty in the way his mind worked but was frustrated at how to tap into it.

I enrolled AJ at DePaul School and have always credited it with "saving my son". At DePaul he first learned how to be accepting of himself and then how to recreate pathways in his brain in order to read, write, study, and learn. The skills he developed there have continued to help him throughout his academic as well as his personal life. He continues to be a bright, articulate, imaginative, humorous, and eager man. He will always struggle with the differences in his learning pathways but approaches new challenges with confidence.

After graduation from the University of Florida, AJ has decided to attend graduate school to further his passion in political science. He has been accepted to all of the schools he has applied to and finally has chosen the University of Central Florida. He has a magnificent future ahead of him and I’m confident that he will succeed in whatever path he chooses. Thank you, DePaul, from the bottom of my heart!

- Laura Hale, Mother of Alexander Joseph Ingram

Dear Teacher, Thank you for everything to learn about writing and everything else. You make me feel smart and happy.

- Love, Isaiah

My daughter and I started our journey about three years ago. Starting in pre-kindergarten, we knew her learning style was different. We could tell she wasn’t catching onto new concepts like most of the other children. However, I was assured that she was “just fine” to enter kindergarten in the fall. During the next two years, my daughter worked so hard. She would sit at the homework table at night for two to three hours just trying to learn the letters and sounds of the alphabet. The struggles were heart-wrenching and the determination was unmatched to anything I had ever seen before.

Speaking to other parents with similar concerns, I was instructed to read a book called When the Brain Can’t Hear by Dr. Terry James. This is what opened our eyes that there were other students just like Megan. We were directed on paths that lead us right to the DePaul School. We started with tutoring three days a week until we could enroll her in school.

Her eyes now have sparkle. She plays after school instead of studying. She played soccer for the first time this fall. She was amazing, scoring in just about every game. Academically she is soaring. Her reading level is age appropriate. She loves science and math. The other day she told me she wanted to stay at this school forever. She still works hard but I know she is on the path to success. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up. Maybe someday she will be teaching at the DePaul School.

- Parent Teri Davis

DePaul has helped me be better than I thought I was. When I first came to this school I had difficulties in Reading, Math and Language. That soon changed. My teacher said “Never give up no matter how hard you try.” So I tried and tried until I started to make A’s in those classes. As the work got harder, I got smarter. DePaul will change your life. The teachers work hard to make you better and smarter.

- Student Patrick P.

Being at DePaul has been nothing short of a miracle for our family. My son Bennett is flourishing. It hasn’t always been that way. Bennett was diagnosed with dyslexia when he was in the 2nd grade. Every assignment, every task was so difficult for him in a public school. Bennett was under such intense stress. He knew he was a smart child but also knew every student around him was learning, when he wasn’t able. We watched week after week, helpless, as he struggled through each day. We had him put into the special education program where we thought he would get more individualized instruction. He was placed in a group with 14 other students and was expected to keep up the pace. It was impossible. We searched for other options for him and found the DePaul School. A friend of a friend had sent her child there and he received tremendous help.

We knew the first week that Bennett was at DePaul that he was in the right place. He would have never progressed in the public schools like he has been able to do at DePaul. I will forever be indebted to the staff of DePaul School. Their techniques have been so successful with our son. Not only that, but they truly understand him and how he learns. They have helped his self-esteem in so many ways. Thank Heaven for DePaul School.

- Parent Rachel Williams

My name is Nicole Reardon and my son Christopher is an 8th grade student at DePaul School, a life changing school that achieves the unimaginable everyday.

When our son Christopher completed the 5th grade at our local St. Johns County Public School three years ago, we were told to retain him and that he was not ready or capable of being successful continuing on to the 6th grade. Even with an IEP in place, being in “ESE” classes and multiple LD/medical diagnosis’s Christopher was labeled unteachable and emotionally/socially dysfunctional. Everyday at home for hours we struggled with Christopher trying to accomplish what seemed to be the most basic school work, usually with minimal success. The stress on our family took its toll and caused our other child to feel “neglected” and constantly vying for our attention. Christopher was a defeated, sad boy who was convinced he was stupid.

Through the grace of God and a good mental health professional I was told about the DePaul School.

Today, Christopher is a different young man, very happy, confident and a repeat Honor Roll student that loves “his” school. He now helps his friends and peers with their school work and projects. Christopher now knows with 100% certainty he is not “stupid” but truly brilliant!

Christopher’s miraculous success can only be attributed to the DePaul School’s method of teaching and the skilled staff of true miracle workers, who are patient beyond belief.

As a mother I know beyond my heart of hearts that Christopher would not be where he is today without the DePaul School and their staff. My family owes the DePaul School an immeasurable amount of gratitude for the huge impact they have made in our life. Today I take and will continue to take every opportunity that I have to make every person that has walked one step in my shoes aware of the wonderful place for children with special learning needs, the DePaul School.

- Nicole D. Reardon

I searched for years for a school that would help and support me with my daughter’s learning disability. A school that would give her the time and support that she needed to succeed in her long journey of education. I tried everything, I fought and I even thought maybe there is not a school out there that cared and that could give my child what she needed to succeed. And at that low point a miracle occurred. I was sent an angel who directed me to the DePaul School.

My daughter entered DePaul a nervous little girl that was scared, would not talk due to the fear of not saying or giving the correct answer and not wanting to ask questions in fear that children and adults might laugh and think she was different. Now she leaves DePaul two years later a confident young lady that can stand in front of a class and answer a teacher’s questions and ask one with great pride and knowledge knowing that she is just like every boy and girl at DePaul and of the world, a bright, intelligent individual that is ready to succeed and that can do anything she puts her mind to do. She is now ready for high school because she had the DePaul angels on her side that gave her the wings that she needed to fly and succeed.

So as a mother I would like to thank my DePaul family of angels for all they have done in such a short time. I wish we could stay with you until my new butterfly is on her way out the door and by that I mean collage. At one time we were told that may never happen, but with your undying help and devotion that statement is proven FALSE.

Once again thank you my DePaul angels,

- Parent of Aisha Dorsey, DePaul 8th grade Class of 2009

I want to thank the DePaul School and a special teacher, Mrs. M., who has helped my daughter Shelby grow to be the person she is now. Shelby started at DePaul in the 5th grade. She could barely count or even write her name. She was shy and didn’t want to go to a new school. I told her just to give it a chance and if it didn’t work out, we would go back to her public school in St. John’s County. This year Shelby will graduate from the 8th grade and move on to another school. DePaul School and its teachers have done so much for Shelby academically and socially. She now has this beautiful smile that tells everyone "Here I am!" and "Look at what I can do." I am so glad that I found the DePaul School; for that I am forever grateful!

- Parent of 8th grader 2010

I always wished that I was smart and could make A/B Honor Roll. When I came to DePaul, I made A/B Honor Roll for the first time in my life. What I did not know before is that I did not have confidence in myself. Now I have confidence and I work hard, listen to my teachers and take my time, not rushing on my schoolwork and homework. My dream has come true.

- Student T'onna Samuels