When Terri O’Daniel’s daughter Kara was in sixth grade, O’Daniel realized the independent Catholic school she currently attended could not offer her the support she needed. “Kara had a learning disability, and my fear was that if she stayed, she wouldn’t be able to succeed,” she says. “I wanted an educational environment that allowed her to build self-esteem, offered a curriculum so she could learn at her own pace and provided opportunities to engage with peers. I couldn’t find what I was looking for in either secular or faith-based institutions.”
That was 17 years ago. O’Daniel had experience in school administration, and her mother, Ann Dunn, a registered nurse, had worked as an administrator at Ranken Jordan Pediatric Bridge Hospital. With their combined backgrounds, the two realized that if they couldn’t find the right fit for Kara, they had the expertise required to create it—and that’s exactly what they did. They founded Academy of St. Louis in 2004 with O’Daniel as executive director and Dunn serving dual roles as business manager and nurse. The independent Catholic school provides an individualized curriculum, a nurturing environment, social integration and faith formation to students in kindergarten through grade 12 with learning disabilities and developmental delays.
Academy of St. Louis is accredited by AdvancED and the National Association of Private Catholic Schools, and it is recognized by the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Its individually designed curricula are curated for each student to promote understanding and help them develop the tools for success. The school also specializes in autism spectrum disorder. “Each student functions at different levels in different subjects, so we create individualized plans to help them develop academic, social and life skills,” O’Daniel says. “It allows them to excel in their areas of strength and move more slowly through those that are difficult.”
The school also helps students prepare for postsecondary success with its transition program. “Around 80% of young adults with cognitive learning disabilities are unemployed, and the job options available to them are very limited,” O’Daniel notes. “We talk with students and their parents to set goals for what they want after 12th grade, and then we work with them to achieve those goals. We have had graduates attend two- and four-year colleges, seek gainful employment, enroll in tech schools and enlist in the military.” Academy of St. Louis is able to work so closely with students because of its 3:1 teacher-student ratio.
The pandemic has presented unique challenges. “It’s difficult for many of our students to learn remotely, so we’ve been holding class in person since the fall,” O’Daniel says. Along with taking necessary precautions, classes enjoyed outdoor field trips and some subjects were shifted to a virtual format. “Students can’t move from room to room, so we’ve been streaming music therapy and physical education classes,” she explains. “Many of our students have sensory issues, and both of those subjects are crucial parts of their curriculum. We wanted to make sure we could bring them back into the classroom safely.”
Even with the added obstacles, Academy of St. Louis doubled its enrollment this year. The larger student population meant it needed to find a new space for fall 2021; it found a partner in St. Joseph Parish in Manchester. “We’re moving into the parish’s former elementary school,” O’Daniel says. “We’re looking forward to providing more students a safe, welcoming environment and helping them develop the tools to be a successful adult.”
Academy of St. Louis is an independent, Catholic school serving students in kindergarten through grade 12 with learning disabilities and developmental delays. It specializes in autism spectrum disorder. Pictured on the cover: Executive director Terri O’Daniel with Academy of St. Louis students Lilly, Emily, Janetta, J.T. and Jayden. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 636.534.5099 or visit acadstl.org.
Cover design by Julie Streiler
Cover photo by Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography
Pictured at top: Executive director Terri O’Daniel
Photo: Colin Miller of Strauss Peyton Photography