Tell Us What You Do
The Accommodated Learning Academy is a private, Christian school in Grapevine providing a full curriculum to serve the spiritual, educational, developmental and social needs of your child from a Christian worldview. We currently serve both a regular and special education population whether it is accelerated, grade level or remediated instruction required. Our services include the ability to instruct ALL students in first through twelfth grade. We design individualized education plans for each student using telescoping by grade level and customization within each academic course.
Students at Accommodated Learning Academy Works with Many Gifted Children
Our students who need an accelerated or gifted and talented environment have the opportunity to attend classes at a higher level. This includes dual credit college-level classes through the Dallas County Community College District. They have the option to graduate with an associate degree and a high school diploma. At the Accommodated Learning Academy, we also serve students whose doctor’s diagnosis is ADD/ADHD, Dyslexia, Anxiety, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Auditory/Visual Processing Disorders and other reading and math disorders.
At the Accommodated Learning Academy we offer one on one Academic Language Therapy with one of our staff Certified Academic Language Therapists (CALT). They use the Orton-Gillingham methodology during their regular school schedule. Our teachers are ACSI/and/or state certified regular education, including Honors, AP, IB, and GT certified teachers. We also have licensed special education teachers and other specialists depending on the classroom needs of each student.
At the Accommodated Learning Academy, we have state-licensed Academic Language Therapists (CALT), a Speech and Language Pathologist (SLP). We also have a Pastoral School Counselor and a developmental behaviorist on staff. Private Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and classroom shadow services are available through our partner, Unique Pathways.
Tell Us Your Story and Why You Started the Accommodated Learning Academy
Principal and CEO, Melissa McGowan is the founder of the Accommodated Learning Academy. She graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Mathematics. After working in the business field, she realized her true calling in life and enrolled in the Education Service Center Region XI teaching certification program for special education to become a state certified in special education and began to use the gift God bestowed upon her.
Melissa joined Grapevine-Colleyvine Independent School District (GCISD) in 1996 as the Kindergarten through twelfth-grade inclusion specialist and later, Homebound Coordinator. Melissa traveled throughout the district training and modeling for teachers how to work with students who learn differently within their classrooms each day. She also took advantage of the chance to co-teach on several GCISD campuses and model what encompasses a successful full-inclusion classroom. Melissa took advantage of the opportunity to help start Faith Christian School Grapevine in 1999.
The S.O.A.R. Program
During her time at Faith, Melissa implemented the S.O.A.R. program which stands for Students Overcoming Academic Restraints. No matter whether it be due to a disorder, lack of academic exposure, or low standard of academic expectation. With Melissa’s full-inclusion background with GCISD and her program development at Faith, she then decided to further develop God’s true calling for her life to combine these experiences into what would become Accommodated Learning Academy in 2001. The Accommodated Learning Academy is fortunate to have a staff who shares the same teaching philosophy today. We believe that together we can accomplish His plans for each of our students.
Tell Us Anything Else You Want Your Readers to Know About
Accommodated Learning Academy students go on to attend four-year university programs, pursue two-year associate or vocational programs, or join the military. Others who go to work right out of high school: all dependent upon the individual student’s goal. We are not specifically a college preparatory program. However, we have a 100% acceptance rate for our graduates who choose to extend their education post-high school.
Our Accommodated Learning Academy graduates go to Texas A&M, Texas Christian University, Southern Methodist University, and the University of Arkansas. They also went to Abilene Christian University, Dallas Baptist University, Oklahoma State University, Ouachita Baptist University, and Hardin Simmons University. In addition, they have attended Tarleton State University, Texas A&M Commerce, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Mississippi State University.
This Is Only the Beginning
Accommodated Learning Academy graduates also go to the University of Dallas. They also attend Utah State, University of Hawaii, Baylor University, and Texas Tech University. We have students at the University of Texas at Arlington, the King’s University, University of North Texas, and Criswell Bible College. Our students also go to Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and many others. Our students graduate with hundreds of hours of community service and multiple college credits.
Additional Services
We have many additional services and programs available at Accommodated Learning Academy. We are members of ACSI (Association of Christian Schools International). With this membership, our students can participate in Art Festivals and Contests, Creative Writing Festivals, Math Olympics, and Science Fairs. They can also participate in Speech Meets and Spelling Bees. Students can become involved in Chess Club through North Texas Chess Academy, Accommodated Learning Academy Student Council and corresponding elections.
Along with this, they can participate in the Duke TIP (Duke University Talent Identification Program). Thanks to Accommodated Learning Academy, our students can earn Dual Credit through Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD). Plus, they can earn Associate’s degrees and certificates through DCCCD, SAT/ACT/TSI test preparation. They can help with Homebound academic services, Pastoral Counseling, Academic Language Therapy, Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, ABA (Applied Behavioral Analysis).
Our students can become involved in Shadowing Services, Monthly Chapel and Worship, and the Grapevine Christmas Parade. They can be part of Santa Cops with the Grapevine Police Department and Santa Cops with the Grapevine Police Department. They participate in Blue Christmas with the Irving Police Department, and School Supply Drives with the Irving Fire Department and others. It is our goal to develop and graduate leaders in our community and beyond.