Information about The Lionheart School: thelionheartschool.com or 770-772-4555.
It started with six students and a mother’s determination. Sixteen years ago, Tamara Spafford turned the frustration with her special-needs daughter’s education into a new school where students learn many lessons through experiences and hands-on activities.
“There’s much more awareness now about autism and sensitivity,” said Spafford. “But this all started because the options for special-needs children were very limited.”
Since then, The Lionheart School in Alpharetta moved from its temporary space on the grounds of the Alpharetta Presbyterian Church to its own facility on Roswell Street. Today, 40 students aged 4 through 18 attend classes based on a model that evaluates where children are developmentally. About 65 percent of the students are on the autism spectrum, while others have difficulty socializing, communicating or thinking abstractly.
“We work on communicating and socializing, as well as critical thinking, problem solving and surviving in the community,” said Victoria McBride, the school’s director of therapeutic services. “We’ve found they work very well when provided with experience. But we still offer a lot of academics in a fully-accredited program.”
One experience in particular has made a significant impact on most students. In 2008, the school received a grant to purchase about two acres nearby that have been turned into a vegetable garden. Students visit the location three to four times a week and participate in age-appropriate activities, including tending to plants and harvesting the produce.
“The garden lends itself to helping children with problem solving and critical thinking,” said McBride. “And it’s a beautiful, sensory environment that can help even our children who have problems processing noises and smells. It provides an environment for them to experience shared learning while helping them to stay calm and focused.”
The farm is overseen by a full-time manager, but the students do much of the work, including delivering lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, kale, radishes, beets and potatoes – to name a few – to chefs at Colletta, Table and Main and Farm to Ladle who relish serving organic, locally-grown produce.
“That also gives students the chance to interact in a wider circle around something they can talk about,” said Head of School Elizabeth Dulin. “The students talk to chefs and owners, and to parents when we have our own farmers market at school every Thursday afternoon. The children work the stand, interact with the pubic, make change and tell people about the items they’re selling.”
Lionheart’s commitment to students doesn’t end when they graduate. A work program for 18- to 26-year-olds connects them to areas where they’ve expressed a deep interest.
“We try to see where their affinities lie early on,” said McBride. “Some of them started working in the garden and are now at different job sites that are farm related.” Other students have gone on to work with an IT firm, the city of Alpharetta, the Canine Assistants dog-training program, retirement centers and local churches. Spafford’s 23-year-old daughter has found a job she loves working on a horse farm.
“Some of our kids might not be able to fill out an application,” said Spafford. “But they want to work and have purpose. Lionheart can give them that.”
About the Author
