INCLUSIVE LEARNING, LIMITLESS POSSIBILITIES
Alicia Stewart - Executive Director of KITE Academy
Kids Inclusion for Total Education
Alicia is a dedicated wife to Chuck, a loving mother, and a proud grandmother, known as "Lovie" to her exceptional grandchildren. She is a certified autism specialist with a specialist degree in school psychology. With over a decade of experience as a school psychologist, she made the decision to leave the public school system in search of a more effective approach to supporting students with disabilities.
Alicia discovered a private school that focused on meeting the unique needs of students with autism, and she quickly became passionate about the mission. She taught at this school for three years until it unfortunately dissolved. This left the students and their families in need of a new educational environment, as public schools and other private institutions were not ideal due to behavioral challenges faced by some students.
A few parents approached Alicia, asking if she would be willing to tutor their children. Although initially hesitant, Alicia agreed to meet with them over coffee to discuss the details. To her surprise, ten families attended the meeting, and from that conversation, KITE Academy was born. Within just three weeks, the academy was up and running, welcoming eight students for full-time enrollment.
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Alicia is also a dedicated advocate for children with special needs in the public school system, drawing on her extensive experience as a school psychologist for many years. Through her work, she gained firsthand insight into the challenges families face when navigating special education evaluations and ARD (Admission, Review, and Dismissal) meetings. Recognizing the need for greater support, she started her own advocacy service to help parents understand their rights, interpret evaluations, and effectively advocate for their children's educational needs. Her passion lies in ensuring that every child receives the services and accommodations necessary to thrive in school. If you are needing help navigating this often complex process, please reach out.
Family Testimonials
I am so grateful my child is one of the founding students at KITE Academy. He is a 15-year-old autistic boy with a passion for reading and learning about dinosaurs, but he struggles to stay focused on his schoolwork. The small student-to-teacher ratio at KITE Academy has made a world of difference for him. The teachers are able to give him the individual attention he needs, quickly redirecting him when necessary, and encouraging him to stay on track. If he ever feels unsure about what the task is or how to approach it, there’s always a teacher there to explain, guide, and support him through the process, helping him correct any mistakes along the way. When he was evaluated by our school district at the end of 2024, they recommended that he be placed in the special education department. Unfortunately, we all know how imbalanced the student-to-teacher ratio can be in the public school system, and how academics are often taught at a lower level so that all students can keep up. He is our only child and tends to stay in his own bubble, enjoying his preferred activities. However, at KITE Academy, he is gently encouraged to step outside his comfort zone and socialize with his classmates, helping him grow both academically and socially. His teachers see his potential, even when he doesn’t, and they push him to do much more than he thinks he’s capable of. They don’t just challenge him, they encourage him, motivate him, and help him believe in himself. As a parent, it’s amazing to see how far he has come in an environment that truly understands and supports him.
Amy, Parent
The abrupt closure of our son's previous school/therapy center the Friday before the Fall 2024 school year, was devastating. The rug was pulled out from under us, leaving us scrambling with no alternatives as Monday loomed. This wasn't just a school; it was a haven where he felt secure and understood. The sudden loss triggered a cascade of negative effects – his behaviors escalated, his innate trust in others eroded, and his world seemed to crumble. It was a nightmare scenario for our family, until we discovered KITE Academy. Within a remarkably short time at KITE Academy, a positive transformation began. His challenging behaviors subsided, his trust reappeared, and slowly, his world righted itself. He even progressed to the point where ABA therapy was no longer needed. His vocabulary blossomed, exceeding our expectations. Without KITE Academy's intervention, our son's journey would have been drastically different. We are eternally grateful for the dedicated and caring staff who have made such a profound impact on his life. -Priscilla, Parent
KITE Academy has been nothing short of miraculous for our son. At 13 years old, his private school where he had been for the previous 6 years, shut down unexpectedly and we felt as if we'd been pushed off a cliff. KITE Academy was our answer. Not only has the school addressed academics, but with monthly field trips, my son has grown in ways that previously were unimaginable. The monthly field trips, supported by other parents and the trained staff, allow him to be exposed to the community. Since joining KITE, he has been on his first airplane flight, eats at restaurants happily, and even attended a 150-person formal event where he went to the dance floor on his own. KITE staff use ABA principles to help him when he becomes disregulated or begins to have behaviors. Overall, the Executive Director and all teachers and paraprofessionals make this school what it is: not only traditional education but also life education for our kids on the autism spectrum. They truly care and love the kids and I have grown to feel that the staff and other parents are like our extended family.
Maren, Parent