"Pathways Academy Is the New Found Hope": A Parent's Story

One parent's journey from hesitation to hope — read how Pathway Academy helped her son thrive, one IEP goal at a time.

When parents of children with special needs sit down for an IEP meeting, they often brace themselves. Too many have left those meetings feeling defeated, as if their child is being measured against a standard that was never built for them. One Pathways Academy parent knew that feeling well — and recently shared how their family's experience changed everything.
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The Parent Perspective
In a touching note, the parent shared their experiences working with Pathways Academy. 

At the end of last year, Pathways Academy was suggested to us for our child. We were told he had too many needs for the 'normal school setting.' As a parent with a special needs child, you hear that word 'normal' so much. You leave IEP meetings feeling like the biggest failure. So of course, I was very hesitant about moving to yet another early education school.
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Before school started, we went in to meet the teacher, and instantly my son connected with his teacher. With that, I already felt at ease. The first day came and went. Every day he fell in love with school more. After just a month, we saw a profound difference in him.

We faced a few medical issues, and you would have thought he was family with them checking in on him and myself. You could feel the love they have for him in their worry.
Now here we are, one school year in, and every goal he had on his IEP has been met and then some!!! When we started this school, I had lost hope and thought every school would be like the last and give the feeling of just getting through the day, and that my child is a burden.

I was wrong. Pathway Academy teachers and staff care! You leave IEP meetings with a smile because they focus on all the incredible things your child can do while encouraging what they can't.

I wish every child had a group of incredible teachers like my child has. What a difference it would make. Pathway Academy is the new found hope!"

-  Pathways Academy Parent

Stories like this one are exactly why our team does this important work everyday. Every child who walks through our doors brings their own needs, their own pace, and their own potential and we believe meeting that potential starts with seeing the whole child, not just the diagnosis.
If you're a parent who has felt that same exhaustion after one too many meetings focused on what your child can't do, we'd love the chance to show you a different approach.

Know a Student Who Could Benefit from Pathways Academy?

Whether you're a parent exploring options, an educator looking to refer a student, or simply want to learn more about our programs, we'd love to hear from you.

Contact Peggy McDermott
Site Administrator, Pathways Academy
(630) 822-8085 Ext. 2
[email protected]

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