Statements
Mission
The Edison School is a private day school with the mission of creating a culture where differences are celebrated and every student is recognized and valued.
Background
The Edison School was launched August of 2012 in response to the need for a school in Sumner County that focused on children with learning differences or different learning styles. Prior to The Edison School, if a parent on the north side of Nashville wanted their child to attend a similar private school, they had no choice but to drive south to Williamson County. A few forward-thinking community leaders in Sumner County recognized the problem and The Edison School was born. The Edison School's program starts with Kindergarten because research has shown that early intervention is essential for a child's academic and social/ emotional growth. In grades K-5, non-academic concerns start to get in the way of academics for students with learning differences and different learning styles. Dyslexia, Language Based Learning Disability, Attention Deficit Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Nonverbal Learning Disability, trauma and Reading Differences are just a few of the learning differences that The Edison School is equipped to address. The Edison School staff and administration believes every child should receive a great individualized education and that strong relationships are fundamental to a child's life. We embrace the differences of each child who enrolls. The Edison School is accredited by Cognia (formerly AdvancED and SACS).
Impact
The Edison School provides a unique academic environment for students who learn differently. We work with children who, if left in the traditional classroom environment, would not realize their full potential. We meet our students where they are by providing an intimate and encouraging academic community that honors them as individuals, values each student's diverse learning style, and fosters growth. The 2023-2024 school year will see The Edison School hold our first high school graduation. Our programming will include all grades 9-12 so we can fully meet the needs of high school students with learning differences and those who struggle in a traditional school environment. Accomplishments for the past year include 1) added 12th grade to our academic programming; 2) provided relevant professional development for teachers from a variety of therapists and behavior experts in working with students we enroll; 3) implemented the use of Google classroom and other digital programs for distance learning times; 4) mentor program for all students who are partnered with a faculty member; 5) Overnight field trips with our high school class where they work on important life skill activities outside of the school setting. Equally impressive is the commitment that parents, teachers and Board members have demonstrated during the school's first nine academic years. All constituents are fully vested in making the school a success. 100 percent of Board members have donated money, talent or time. 100 percent of our families have made financial, in-kind contributions, or have volunteered their time or talents to support the school. And 100% of our faculty members have donated time, services and supplies. Goals for the current year include 1) raise funds to purchase/lease a space of our own that we do not have to share; 2) increasing the funding available for tuition assistance
Needs
Own space: The Edison School has been renting space in various churches throughout the school's history. While this has been beneficial, in order for the school to reach our full potential we are at a point where we need a space of our own. With a full high school, we need a space that would allow us to offer more hands-on labs and activities for our students. Scholarships/Tuition Assistance: Though the cost to attend The Edison School is lower than similar schools, many families struggle to afford tuition. Technology: Much of the instruction is computer-based, which means students need laptops or tablets. Support personnel: This will help classroom teachers maintain the behavioral, spiritual, emotional and physical needs of this very special population. Classroom/All school supplies: Manipulatives, flexible seating options, laminating machine, additional curriculum that will allow teachers to find the right one that works best with each student.
CEO Statement
Teachers at The Edison School individualize education programs for each student. This allows teachers to start teaching the student where he/she is currently in his/her academics. It also allows each student to gain immediate success and begin to strive to reach their potential. The Edison School offers myriad curriculum adapted for delivery to individuals with a wide variety of learning styles. Our customized delivery ensures student mastery of the curriculum. This makes college and other post-secondary education a real possibility for our students. Multi-sensory instruction uses the visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways simultaneously to enhance memory and learning. It is essential to allow students to connect what they see (visual) with what they hear (auditory), and feel (kinesthetic) to create meaning in learning. Differentiated instruction involves providing students with different avenues to acquire content; by processing, constructing, or making sense of ideas; and to develop teaching materials so all students in a classroom can learn effectively, regardless of differences in ability. Many of the emotional or social difficulties students experience disappear when their educational climates are adapted to their level and pace of learning. The key to differentiation is finding how students learn, then developing a program that meets their specific needs. Children are often rewarded for their ability to comply in a traditional learning environment. Those who cannot are not supported. That's why one of the most important components of our approach is the supportive atmosphere we create for our students. We call it the "Culture of Acceptance." Students are encouraged to learn in a safe environment where they are free from criticism for being different from others socially, academically, and in their learning styles. Instead of expecting students to conform to a particular style of learning, our approach meets children where they are, accepts them as they are, leverages their innate, often hidden learning strengths and empowers them to take risks in the classroom environment. More learning, less fear and higher performance are the inevitable results. The entire community (faculty/staff/administration/Board) of The Edison School believes all students have the potential to learn. This belief guides our decisions in each classroom. Ultimately, The Edison School exists to create a loving place for all students to learn, grow, and belong.
Board Chair Statement
Our most pressing priority is the need for our own space that will allow us to create an efficient and engaging environment for our students. Renting space in already existing churches has been beneficial to get us to our current situation, but we are unable to setup/change spaces that would benefit our students. Our second most pressing priority is the need to increase the generation of funds for tuition assistance for families. We currently offer a small amount of tuition assistance, but providing more would allow us to enroll students who desperately need The Edison School and cannot currently afford our tuition. Scholarship dollars will help us level the playing field for the many students in Robertson, Sumner, Wilson, Williamson and Davidson Counties who desperately need our school environment. Though our tuition for the 2023-2024 school year is now $18,000, it is far less than the tuition charged by similar schools in middle Tennessee. Many of the families who could most benefit from our instruction struggle to afford our tuition. Several single mothers have toured the school wishing they could afford it, this is why we are looking at creating a special scholarship just for single mothers. We are addressing this challenge in a number of ways. Our Head of School has provided a renewed level of energy with teachers, parents, and the Board of Trustees. Additionally, our new Head of School is networking with other private schools, pediatricians, therapists, and within our target counties in general to spread the word about the school. Our Head of School has begun an Annual Fund that will help our overall financial stability for the long term. Though The Edison School will always be a relatively small school with a targeted pool of parents to draw from for fundraising, we believe that support from business leaders will more than compensate. Employers have the most to gain as students from our program complete their education and enter the workforce as prepared, motivated and reliable employees. In the next 2 - 5 years, the most pressing issue facing the school will be growth-related, especially as enrollment increases.
Service Categories |
|
| Primary Category: | Education - Special Education |
| Secondary Category: | Education - Elementary & Secondary Schools |
| Tertiary Category: | - |
Areas Served
The Edison School meets a large, previously unmet need for access to specialized instruction for families in Robertson, Sumner, Wilson, Williamson, Smith, Trousdale, Cheatham, Rutherford, and Davidson Counties. Our desire is to increase this impact as we expand our programming into a full high school.
| TN - Sumner |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Smith |
| TN - Trousdale |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Williamson |
