One service we offer to help Missouri children succeed is KVC Academy, a group of schools providing alternative and therapeutic education for K-12 students who have struggled in traditional settings. Children and teens arrive at KVC Academy facing mental health difficulties, behavioral issues and other challenges that make traditional learning impractical.

Some eventually transition back to the public school system while others remain with us through graduation. But all receive the care and supportive education they deserve to help them be successful in life! What KVC Academy students have in common is the opportunity to find hope, connection and healing.

Hear the story of KVC Academy student Dean and his mother Hannah — and how the two have found renewed hope for the future thanks to the dedicated teachers and therapists at KVC Academy.

Before KVC: Giving Up

Hannah has been trying to help her son Dean find academic and life skills success for years. She remembers when he was a baby, and people would frequently comment on his perfect behavior. “He was content to just sit there and be left alone, only crying if someone picked him up,” Hannah recalls. “Looking back, I can definitely tell that something was just different with Dean as a baby. But it’s not something you can see in that moment.”

The “perfect child” experience ended when Dean moved to the three-year-old classroom in his early childhood education center. Dean’s behaviors and anger issues seemed to come out of nowhere, all of which centered around sensory issues. Dean would feel overwhelmed by the classroom lights, the weather outside and even by wearing certain clothing and shoes.

Dean was frequently sent home from school, making it impossible for Hannah to hold down a job and support her family. It was usually less than an hour into the school day when Hannah would get a call from Dean’s teachers, expecting her to come pick him up. “Every day was a struggle,” she recalls.

It wasn’t until Hannah started a new education-based job where they helped her navigate IEPs (individual education plans) and 504 plans that she finally started getting Dean the support he needed. Once Hannah was connected with the resources she needed to have Dean evaluated, she had her first real answer: Dean was diagnosed as Autistic and on the spectrum.

Starting at KVC Academy: Renewed Hope for Dean’s Future

Getting a diagnosis was the first step toward finding real help for Dean. Hannah finally knew the reason behind Dean’s struggles. However, she didn’t have an answer to help her almost-first grader who was getting frequent school suspensions. That’s when she met Kaysi and Emily at KVC Academy in Webster Groves, in the St. Louis suburbs. At the time, there wasn’t a program for younger kids at Hannah’s KVC Academy location, but one was in development and Hannah was told Dean would be a great fit. 

In the beginning, Hannah was skeptical. “At every moment before then, all I had ever known was everyone giving up on my Dean, giving up on me, giving up on my family,” she remembers of the heartbreaking time in their lives. “We were just struggling so much,” Hannah said. So she worried this would be just another place that wouldn’t work for Dean.

KVC Academy Webster Groves

Deciding to give KVC Academy a chance, Hannah dropped Dean off for his first day with his teacher, Miss Susan, and left for work. When the phone rang partway through the day, Hannah assumed the worst. Calls from the school had become commonplace. She answered, convinced it was going to be Miss Susan telling her to come pick up Dean. It was Miss Susan. But she wasn’t calling for the reason Hannah expected.

“I was just calling to let you know that Dean is having a great day,” Miss Susan shared. This was a life-changing moment Hannah will never forget. That day marked the beginning of Dean’s journey toward academic and personal success!

Dean Transforms into His Full Potential at KVC

Today, Dean is thriving at KVC Academy! His story has been such a success that the local news even shared it. “The growth that he has had inside KVC is a miracle,” says Hannah passionately.

For the transformation Dean has experienced, Hannah credits the team of teachers, therapists and other staff at KVC Academy in Webster Groves. “The patience the workers have inside KVC is just magnificent,” she smiles. “He’s grown so much academically, he’s grown so much as a person, he’s grown so much in his fine motor skills. The patience that they have to work with him in tedious ways is just mind-blowing.”

Hannah’s ultimate hope for Dean is that he will continue to grow and be happy. Conversations have even started about helping Dean transition into a public school setting because he has developed the skills needed to succeed in public education. Hannah isn’t sure she’s ready to say goodbye to KVC Academy quite yet. But whether he transitions out or stays at KVC a bit longer, Hannah has peace knowing the people at KVC are intent on doing what is best for Dean and his future.

Is KVC Academy Right for Your Child?

We understand that sometimes we all need a helping hand to discover the strength within us and the possibilities ahead of us. Hannah is a strong proponent of KVC Academy, saying, “I strongly believe that KVC has the patience and the skills to help so many kids not give up, because there is a better ending. You don’t have to stay where you are right now. There is 100% a better outlook and a better ending just on the other side.”

In June, Dr. Pamela Dawson assumed the role of VP of Education at KVC Missouri! With her experience as Director of Special Education/Statewide Curriculum Specialist and advanced degrees in educational counseling, psychology and academic leadership, Dr. Dawson brings extensive expertise to her new role at KVC Academy. Dr. Dawson has been an integral part of the KVC Missouri team for the past six years. Now, she’s already brought fresh energy and valuable innovations to her new role this school year. We look forward to seeing her continued success!

If you have a child in need of personalized, high-quality education, learn more about our academies throughout Missouri and see if your child qualifies!