Today we’d like to introduce you to April Lilly.
Hi April, 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.
LELA Academy was born out of necessity but continues with love. The previous school where I taught special education and ESL went bankrupt. I had many parents ask me to homeschool their children. LELA was born on November 19, 2019, 3 days later, in my living room, where we stayed until I could secure a building On January 1st, 2019. During COVID, I almost had to close; I was down to 5 students. Since the end of lockdown, I have grown to 8 on campus, 2 online, and 1 home study. We are a mastery-based program, so no one fails; I continue to teach concepts in many different ways until the child “gets it.”
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In July 2021, I ended up selling my home to keep the school going. My husband passed away in Sept of 2017, and I really had no need for a big house anymore. I was going to purchase another home, but LELA needed the funds, so now I rent a home with my 4 dogs. One of which Visits school from Time to Time. He helps the kids settle down and focus as he sits with them…
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
LELA Academy specializes in helping those students who need it. I have students who need help with ESL, who have anxiety issues, who have been in residential treatment programs for behavioral issues, and those who have been bullied at other schools and just need a safe place to be and to learn. The competition is tough out there for these kids, some schools expect all kids to learn at the same time, at the same pace and from the same books. Kids are not cookie cutters. They are not all the same, and they all learn the same.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
I am exactly where God wants me. I have never doubted, even once, since I opened LELA that my place is here with the kids.
Pricing:
- $15,180.00 Tuition for a full year
- $750.00 Summer School
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thelelaacademy.com/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lelaschool
Image Credits
April Lilly
