Orion Academy began as an idea—one that grew out of years of watching our kids and families struggle with the limitations of what was available in public and private high schools for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In the fall of 2000 we opened with only eight students and five teachers. The vision that is Orion did many things that were groundbreaking at the time. We were, and remain, experts in what we do. We created a program that had dogs on campus as part of developing pragmatic language skills. We developed a now-trademarked project learning program called Personal Projects© to address executive function deficits in ways not seen before. We required credentialed subject matter educators to offer rigorous academics to ASD students in a manner that is appropriate for them. Thanks to our original generous benefactors, we were able to realize the vision of this unique program.
It’s important to remember that what we were doing was new and innovative and many people thought it wouldn’t work. Bringing ASD students together in a school without access to modeling “normal” kids was seen in some circles as heresy back then. Yet the idea that a community could be built of like-minded individuals, who would come together as part of something special, was recognized and supported by many others. Our supporters and families saw the potential in what we were doing and believed in our vision and new model for education.
Today, 25 years later, our graduates go to university and college, work training and professional jobs. Orion’s program has grown and we continue to strive to be on the forefront of secondary education for ASD students. Together with our partnering employers we have added Orion developed programing for career transitioning and training, the next frontier for spectrum individuals.
As a community we have so much to be proud of and thankful for. We hope you will join us this year in celebrating the last 25 years as we look forward to the next 25!
Warm regards to all,
Kathryn Stewart, PhD
Executive Director and Founder, Orion Academy