Beau goes home each night and talks excitedly about fun activities, good friends and academic accomplishments. It hasn’t always been that way for the third-grader, though.

Before he came to Miriam, Beau did not like school at all.

“It had always been a traumatic experience for him,” says his mom, Lynn. “Everything changed when he came to Miriam. He feels welcomed and valued.”

When Beau started at Miriam in first grade, he quickly realized that he was learning strategies at school that would help him be successful.

“He has grown so much from his first year at Miriam to where he is now,” Lynn says. “Honestly, the success I see, I wasn’t even sure that it was possible when we first started. I am so proud of him and how hard he works.”

At Miriam, Beau and his fellow students receive an individualized education. Miriam staff and faculty recognize that every child has different educational needs.

Lynn says, “At Miriam, each lesson, subject and curriculum are tailored to my child. That doesn’t mean he isn’t challenged – it means he has stretch goals when needed and extra help when he’s struggling.”

Beau was behind in reading when he started at Miriam, and Lynn worried because she knew how quickly he could fall behind in all of his subjects. But with the individualized reading program, Beau is now reading at – and sometimes even above – grade level. He does his free reading at home without being asked.

When Lynn first enrolled Beau at Miriam, she was most concerned about his social and emotional well-being and thought they would figure out academics down the road. Once he was here, she discovered that the teachers also do a great job of identifying academic aptitude and talent in their students.

“The curriculum incorporates social, emotional and academic growth all at the same time,” she says. “My son loves math, and we discovered that he is very good at it! Miriam challenges him in that area, and he is constantly growing.”

Beau has many favorite things about school, including all the friends he has made.

“He’s very social and outgoing,” Lynn says. “He does not feel different than his classmates, because all of the kids have different things they are working on or improving.”

Beau also loves using the occupational therapy room for movement breaks. Sensory diet allows this very active child the opportunity to move his body so he can stay focused throughout the day.

Lynn’s favorite thing about Miriam?

“My favorite is the caring and compassion our teachers and staff give to the kids. I have never seen a group of professionals remain so steadfast, calm and loving to children who can be hard to like sometimes,” Lynn says.

“No matter what kind of day my son might be having, he knows that when he returns the next day, it is a chance for a brand new start.”

Lynn has also found that with Miriam’s curriculum and other programs, as well as the strong staff, there is no need to battle for accommodations.

“Raising a differently abled child and unique learner is hard work. It can be exhausting having to constantly advocate for your child and their learning needs. Here, I don’t have to do that. Miriam just gets it!”

Miriam has taught Beau to respect himself and others, and to advocate for himself and his needs.

“I can honestly say Miriam School has changed the course of his life.”