Today we’d like to introduce you to Connie Rodriguez.
Hi Connie, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Waterfall Academy is a nonprofit school founded in 2018 by
Connie and Angel Rodriguez.
It provides customized
education for children with learning differences, particularly
those on the autism spectrum.
Our mission is: “We deliver functional education that is
customized to the brilliance of each child while supporting
families on the path to greatness.“
What began with our oldest son as the first student has grown to serve 34 students with 13 staff, focusing on life skills, personal development, and family support.
The academy is committed to helping every child reach their potential and prepare for a meaningful future.
● A Mission Forged by Lived Experience
• As parents of two incredible sons on the autism spectrum, our founders know this journey firsthand.
• Witnessing the transformative power of individualized support ignited a passion to create a place where children could truly thrive.
• Waterfall Academy was born from this belief.
● Core Belief: “Every child has purpose, potential,
and promise.“
● Safe & Nurturing Environment: Student
testimonials highlight it as “calm,” “quiet,” “accepting,” and “safe.“
● Customized & Technology Enabled Curriculum: We identify and teach to each child’s unique brilliance and learning style while leveraging
highly regarded platforms.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth road. However, we have been driven by our purpose and values. We have had challenges in financial support yet we have continued to grow while purchasing the building the building where the school resides. One of core principles is to “never turn away a child who can’t afford to come to the school”. As such, we tell parents to pay what they can. This has created a devoted community tgat supports each other. .
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I co-founded Waterfall Academy in 2018 with my husband, Angel, inspired by our journey as parents of two sons on the autism spectrum. What began as a calling quickly became a community – a place where children with learning differences are seen, supported, and celebrated for who they are.
At Waterfall Academy, we specialize in functional, customized education for students with unique learning needs. Our approach blends academic instruction with life skills, speech and occupational therapy, and individualized learning plans that meet each child where they are. We believe that when you build on a child’s strengths, confidence follows – and real growth begins.
I’m most proud of how far we’ve come. We started with just two students and a promise to God that we’d never turn a child away for lack of resources. Today, Waterfall has grown into a vibrant nonprofit school serving dozens of families, with accredited teachers, dedicated aides, and strong partnerships with UT Dallas and local therapists. We also embrace technology-enabled learning, using adaptive platforms like n2Y to tailor lessons for every learner, gamify progress, and help students engage with digital tools that prepare them for the modern world.
We passionately support and enable the arts with music classes and art projects. Notably we have our art exhibited at the Goldmark Cultural Center and the Texas State Fair.
What sets us apart is the heart behind our mission. We’re not just educators – we’re parents, advocates, and believers in what’s possible. As I often say, “If we don’t believe in our kids, no one else will.”
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
At Waterfall Academy, success is defined by progress – personal, measurable, and meaningful. Every milestone, no matter how small, is a victory worth celebrating. Success is when a student who once struggled to communicate greets you with a smile and a sentence. It’s when a child independently completes a task that once felt out of reach, or when a family begins to see hope where there was once only worry.
For us, success lives in the everyday breakthroughs – the gradual improvements in learning, focus, and confidence that add up over time. It’s seeing our students learn how to learn, and our families grow stronger as partners in that process.
We also measure success by our commitment to continuous improvement – evolving our curriculum, expanding resources, and leveraging technology to meet each child’s learning style. Our teachers are lifelong learners themselves, constantly reflecting, adapting, and finding new ways to connect.
Ultimately, success means creating an environment where every child is seen, supported, and believed in – and where their progress, not perfection, tells the story of growth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.waterfallacademy.com
- Instagram: https://Instagram.com/waterfall_academy/
- Facebook: https://Facebook.com/people/waterfall_academy/100054611612580/#
- LinkedIn: https://LinkedIn.com/company/waterfall-academy/
