Finding Solutions: Apparo Academy making a difference in the lives of little learners
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An Augusta school is making a difference in the lives of our littlest learners.
Apparo Academy opened in 2019 as an all-inclusive school for children ages six weeks through kindergarten.
They provide education and therapy all under one roof.
They’re finding solutions in giving kids what they need to make them ready for the next big thing.
Apparo Academy is a learning center where therapy needs are also met for children with special needs.
Lee Malchow has two little boys that attend Apparo. His oldest, Michael, was born with an umbilical cord around his neck, which cut off blood flow to the brain.
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“He has some permanent brain damage to the back part of his brain, which has led to some developmental delays,” said Malchow. “Michael has vision impairment, and he also has cerebral palsy, so he’s not able to fully control his limbs and his movements.”
Apparo means “to make ready,” and that’s the desire of Jennifer Jones, who founded Apparo Academy.
“I was tired of seeing parents that didn’t have a place for their children to go to school to get all of their therapy services and everything met at the same time before they reach school age,” said Jones. “I decided we needed to do something different, and God put it on my heart to start a school.”
He says Michael is a busy guy and receives a wide range of therapies weekly at apparo from speech, physical, and occupational. Malchow says Michael’s made tremendous improvement.
“A couple years ago I jennifer saying ‘I can’t wait until michael starts walking’ and at that time wasn’t sure what was going to happen with him and walking wasn’t really on our radar, but now seeing him starting to walk and the belief and everyone rooting for your kid is amazing,” said Malchow.
Jones says they are an inclusive school, and out of their 100 students, 60 have special needs.
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The other 40 serve as peer models.
“Right now, we have openings for children who are three-year-olds who would be great peer models for our children with special needs,” said Jones. A lot of times those children go off to other schools when they turn three or four, but we still need those peer models here because our children with special needs see that they are walking and talking and want to do the same thing.”
Malchow says his youngest son does not have special needs and is thriving at Apparo as well.
As for Michael, he says big things are coming.
“I ould say the sky is the limit,” said Malchow. “I think one of the best things about Apparo and the teachers is that they don’t put any limits on the kids.”
You can find more information on their website.
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