Churchill Academy Finds Permanent Home, Expands Support for Students with Unique Learning Needs
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WAKA) — After their former building in East Montgomery was unexpectedly sold several years ago, Churchill Academy has found a permanent home on McGehee Road in the former Green Gate School building, continuing its mission of serving students in the River Region who learn differently.
Founded in 1996, the school has had as many as 100 students. But due to space, they now limit enrollment to 80 students to maintain a low teacher-student ratio of about 1 to 8. Currently, around 55 students attend the school. Parents say the approach provides individualized attention and a safe environment that allows children to thrive.
“The low ratio of the kids in the classroom to the teacher allows the teacher to be able to spend extra time on the skills that the student needs to practice,” parent Robert Miller said. “We’ve just found everybody here to be very, very loving towards the students, and overall the students are loving towards each other and that’s the biggest thing.”
Miller’s 11-year-old daughter, Marika, was adopted from Bulgaria and is now a fifth grader at Churchill. He credits the school’s teachers with helping her succeed despite early developmental delays.
Other parents say the academy has made a similar difference for their children.
“I like the style and technique. The way they taught, they taught repetition, and that’s how he learned to read,” said Lakeita Carter, who enrolled her son after he struggled in the Montgomery Public School system. Carter’s two daughters now attend Churchill as well.
Carter said the teachers’ patience inspired her to open her own daycare that welcomes children with special needs.
Patricia Lockwood, head of school, said the new building feels like a natural fit for the academy.
“We knew when we walked in that this was a very special place,” Lockwood said. “It has always served very special populations back when it was Greengate and Montgomery Christian, and so it just seemed to be saying it’s time for Churchill to come home.”
Senior Hunter Hines, who hopes to study animation in college, said the community at Churchill has been one of his favorite parts of high school.
“The teachers, the students — everybody is relatable,” Hines said.
Lockwood emphasized that while Churchill cannot serve all children, the academy strives to accommodate as many different learning styles as possible.
Miller said his daughter loves the school so much that she often asks to return on weekends.
“How many children tell their parents on the weekend that they want to go back to school?” he said with a laugh.
The non-profit school is still trying to replace many supplies that had to be stored or given away when they moved to temporary accommodations in two local churches during the past two years. They’re also in desperate need of computers and other electronic devices. They are also looking for permanent and substitute teachers.
For information about how to donate or to learn about scholarship opportunities for students, click here. A fundraiser is tentatively planned for November.
