OUR BEGINNINGS
Rising Hope Academy began as a small church school serving 17 students. Many of the children we served had difficulty processing and expressing emotions appropriately. This greatly impacted their abilities to learn.
We began to search for a school model to address social and emotional needs. We reached out to multiple agencies, learning of the work of Nadine Burke-Harris and the Adverse Childhood Experiences study.
Soon thereafter, we connected with Jim Sporleder and learned of the trauma-informed model he used at Lincoln High in Walla Walla, Washington. Mr. Sporleder generously sent resources and spoke with
our team about this model.
Since implementing this model in the spring of 2018, we have seen tremendous growth in our students' abilities to regulate their emotions.
This has led to overall socio-emotional well-being and academic gains.
OUR PRESENT
Rising Hope Academy is in its third year of operation and now housed in a new school facility. In the past year, we found the majority of our student population struggles with learning disabilities - many with dyslexia.
We are so fortunate to partner with Alabama Game Changers, The Morris Centre, and Lifeline Adoption Services' Brain Games. Through these partnerships, we are able to offer dyslexia treatment with an 80% rate of success, and motor and sensory interventions.
OUR TOMORROW
We have several bold goals for the future of Rising Hope Academy. We hope to bring another instructor on board for the 2022-23 school year and a principal in oder to build capacity for our projected growth.
We find that many families in crisis need long-term mental health services, and we are working with partner agencies to ensure that these services are provided. In order to fully realize that part of our program, we are seeking funding to bring a parent liaison on staff.
We are so grateful for our many partners who help support us and pray that we continue to build relationships with agencies who specialize in areas of need for our children. We believe God has a plan and a purpose for our students. We are humbled to walk with them through the process of their healing.