Our Experience with Can Learn
September 6, 2005

 Re: Can Learn Christian Academy and Therapeutic Program

As a parent of two children who attended the school and or the neuro-developmental program, I can highly recommend both to parents who have children struggling with social and/or academic issues. Both of my children made significant gains in both areas over the year and one half they attended.

My fourteen year old daughter began attending program at the end of her 7^th grade year. Although very bright, she struggled her whole school career with lack of self confidence affecting her ability to make and retain friends as well achieving her potential in academic areas, especially math.  After two (2) months of program three times per week, her confidence was visibly raised and I noted her trying harder and taking more positive risks.  She would interact with other students more freely and attempt previously avoided tasks in school.

After enrolling in the Academy full time during her eighth grade year, I really began to see my daughter blossom.  By the end of the first quarter, she was fully participating in classroom activities and progressing in all areas of academics.  Her confidence in herself and her abilities grew throughout the year, even though personally she was experiencing a very difficult emotional time.  Throughout her struggles, the consistency and the expertise of the staff helped her continue to move forward and succeed.  She actually began to enjoy the math process.  In fact, she began to realize it is the process and not always the product that is most important in life.  In the social arena she thrived at Can Learn. She leaned and practiced an effective problem solving method that she is still able to rely upon.  Overall, her growth in all areas from a parent’s perspective was exponential.

At the end of eighth grade, it was decided by the staff and me that my daughter was ready to enter a regular high school setting.  This was not without anxiety on my daughter’s or my part.  The security of Can Learn was hard to leave.  During the first week of high school, placements tests were given to all the students.  As noted earlier, my daughter’s math ability was well behind grade level upon entering Can Learn (approximately 5.8 in the first semester of eighth grade).  Currently, she is testing at the 8^th grade 4th month.  This is after less than a year of attending school and program at Can Learn Academy.  I believe that is truly remarkable progress and I attribute her growth to both her teacher and the director who find creative ways to get inside the children and make them want to and know they can succeed.  I am certain my daughter will always have some difficulty with math.  However, she now believes she can and will succeed.  On her own she has signed up at the tutoring center which she never would have done a year ago and is determined to continue to make the progress she now expects of herself.  In addition she has asked Toni Hager the director if she can work her community service hours at Can Learn.  I believe that speaks volumes regarding her feeling about and connections to this program.  While she is there working, she plans on participating in program because “I know it works for me.” 

Regarding my 7 year old foster son, Can Learn has provided him a place of acceptance and a place to grow emotionally.  He has a variety of challenges stemming from prenatal exposure to alcohol and drugs, as well as multiple placements in the first 2 years of life, loss and abandonment issues.  In addition, he has multiple psychiatric diagnoses including ADHD, ODD, depression and anxiety.  He frustrates easily and tantrums frequently.  Needless to say, he faces many challenges in the regular classroom.  He has been on an IEP since preschool and requires a 1:1 aide in the classroom and 2 periods of direct instruction per day.  Because he is a foster child, he is required to attend public school.

My son began attending Program in the 2^nd semester of Kindergarten.  I immediately witnessed an improvement in his ability to sleep through the night.  He seemed calmer and smiled more frequently.  When he missed two consecutive days, his activity level would increase and his ability to concentrate or follow directions would diminish.  I was called less frequently from school regarding disruptive or aggressive behavior when he attended program.  Although he stated he “hated program”, once he got there and participated, he visibly enjoyed it.  After participating, he was more communicative and less resistant.  It was apparent to me that Can Learn was a positive placement for him.  Unfortunately, during first grade, it was more difficult to have him there on a regular basis as he was in school all day and too fatigued for further activity.  Subsequently, his ability to attend in the classroom lessened and his negative behavior escalated.  I was called multiple times by the principal to intervene and often removed him or kept him home if his behavior was particularly negative in the morning.  On these days I would call Can Learn frustrated and they would invite him to attend for 1-4 days at a time for Program and academics.  Each time he attended, improvement was noted due to the consistent nature of the program and the knowledge on how to intervene and interact with my son the staff has and utilizes. As a parent I believed and still believe Can Learn would be the most appropriate academic and social placement.  However, because of his legal status as a foster child, I was unable to access this for him. 

My son continues to struggle, but with the information and help I received from Can Learn, day to day living (survival at times) is easier.  I am continuing to pursue his returning to Can Learn for Program as it is the only strategy that has consistently and continuously helped this challenged and challenging youngster. 

As stated, I would highly recommend this program to any parent searching for strategies and answers for their academically or behaviorally challenged children.  The staff is the most committed I have seen in my career as a school health coordinator.  If they do not have the answers, they will look for them and share that information freely.  Please feel free to contact me with any questions.

Cheryl Rossi Davis
3814 E. 49^th Avenue
Spokane, WA 99223
(509) 443-8689