Boy playing on playground

About IMPACT Academy

Application & Enrollment

An inclusive approach to education for students of all abilities.

Impact Academy is a non-profit, 501(c)3 tax-exempt organization that was originally incorporated in November 2009. The Academy was founded on the premise that children with disabilities and their families need one main location that encompasses quality therapies and interventions, progressive and life-skills education, and behavioral services. The goal of IMPACT is to provide all services needed by children with disabilities and their families.

Impact Academy’s mission is to provide a school that strengthens independence, encourages growth at all levels, and bridges the gap between educational and therapeutic services.

Students with learning differences, kindergarten through 12th grade (up to 22 years old), are all welcome at IMPACT Academy.

About the Curriculum

IMPACT Academy utilizes a variety of curriculum to meet the varying abilities of our students. We assess each child at the beginning of the school year across all therapy and educational domains through informal means and with the use of standardized testing. Some of the assessment tools that are utilized include:

  • NWEA MAP (Measures of Academic Progress)
  • Unique Learning System
  • Teacher-Developed Checklists
  • Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement, Third Edition (KTEA™-III)
  • Hawaii Early Learning Profile 3-6 (HELP)
  • Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT™-2)
  • Beery-Buktenica Developmental Test of Visual-Motor Integration, 6th Edition (VMI)
  • Gross Motor Scale
  • Goldman Fristoe II (GFTA)
  • Oral Written Language Scales (OWLS)
  • Beckman Oral Motor Assessment
  • Clinical Assessment of Articulation and Phonology (CAAP)
  • Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF)
Boy sitting at desk smiling in classroom

We have two processes for outlining academic and therapeutic goals for the school year:

  1. Our teachers create an Individualized Developmental Plan (IDP) for each student. Within the IDP, specific academic and transition goals are listed. Parents are an essential part of the multi-disciplinary team and meetings are scheduled to discuss goals for the current school year.
  2. Our therapists create a Multi-Disciplinary Therapy Plan (MTP) for each student (optional). The MTP summarizes each discipline’s evaluation (occupational, physical, speech, and/or music therapy). Goals are listed and recommendations given based on the strengths and needs of each student. However, it is ultimately the parent’s decision on which therapies are selected for the given school year.

How is academic progress gained?

Academic progress is gained through the teachers’ use of a variety of methods of instruction and curriculum use. The following are some of the resources utilized:

  • PAES (Practical Assessment Exploration System)
  • Unique Learning System
  • Next Generation Sunshine State Standards, BEST, and Common Core Curriculum Standards
  • CPALMS
  • Life Centered Education through the Council for Exceptional Children
  • BrainQuest
  • BrainPop
  • IXL
  • Zearn (Math platform)
  • ABCya (Academic games and assessment)
  • Super Teacher
  • Education.com
  • Twinkl (Visual supports and worksheets)
  • National Geographic Science
  • Generation Genius
  • Scholastic News

Underlying all growth is each child’s need to feel safe and emotionally ready to learn. Our teachers are trained in Conscious Discipline®. To give you a glimpse of the Conscious Discipline model, an excerpt from the book, Conscious Discipline®: Building Resilient Classrooms (page 16) by Dr. Becky A. Bailey, is provided.

“Conscious Discipline® is based on a Brain State Model that empowers us to shift from educational systems grounded in controlling others to cultures of learning based on safety, connection and problem solving. Conscious Discipline® is organized around the Seven Powers for Conscious Adults that help the adult to manage her internal state (safety), the creation of the School Family that utilizes connection to foster cooperation and optimal brain development (connection), and the Seven Skills of Discipline that empower the adult with strategies to teach children to self-regulate and problem solve (problem-solving).”

School Choice Accountability

IMPACT Academy adheres to all Florida Statutory requirements concerning private schools. More information about our school programs and services can be found here.

In compliance with section 1002.421(1)(h), Florida Statutes, all the teachers employed by IMPACT Academy meet one of the following requirements:

  • 3 or more years of public and/or private school teaching
  • Special skills, knowledge, or expertise that qualifies them to provide instruction in subjects taught
  • Baccalaureate Degree or higher

In accordance with section 1006.061(1), Florida Statutes, we have a notice posted that all employees have a duty to report all actual or suspected cases of child abuse, abandonment, or neglect. If an employee reports, they have immunity from liability and have a duty to comply with child protective investigations. More information regarding the signs of abuse can be found here.

In accordance with section 1006.061(2), Florida Statutes, IMPACT Academy staff receive training on Professional Conduct, Ethics in Education and Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect. Training includes the policies and procedures for reporting alleged misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. A poster is displayed at the school location regarding the types of professional misconduct. Reports regarding alleged misconduct may be made to Kevin Kolka by calling (850)325-6301. Penalties imposed on instructional personnel or school administrators who fail to report suspected or actual child abuse or alleged misconduct by other instructional personnel or school administrators may result in termination and revocation of an educator’s certificate. View the IMPACT Academy Code of Ethics here.

I am proud to be a part of a team that puts others in front of themselves.
Lawrence Mvrica
IMPACT Foundation Board Member
The positive energy the staff brings to the center every day, helps you know your little one is being well taken care of. Everyone at the center have truly become a part of our family now and we will be forever grateful for each and every one of them. Everything is so great that now we are also looking forward to their after school program!
Caitlin Huard
I can’t say enough great things about The Summer Escape program! Trusting people when you have a child with special needs is often a scary thing. You want to make sure the people surrounding your little one are kind, caring, and able keep them safe. We are so lucky to have found this program and love all of the people who help run things.
Caitlin Huard
The most comforting aspect as a parent, is knowing that my son is in an environment where he can learn and is understood. I am very thankful for the school's mission to educate kids with learning differences and the teachers and administrators that make this happen every day.
Shacarra Sigler
We struggled with the school placement decision, because we wanted to find the right school that would be a good fit for our son. I am so glad that we chose IMPACT. [...] His teachers have been amazing, and we have seen progress in his ability to focus, independently complete classroom assignments, appropriately interact socially, and speech improvement. They have put the time and effort towards his individual needs, and we are reaping the rewards.
Shacarra Sigler
We struggled with the school placement decision, because we wanted to find the right school that would be a good fit for our son. I am so glad that we chose IMPACT; they are so helpful, caring, and understand my son’s specific needs. They have accommodated his needs on so many levels, which I believe would have been unmet at other schools.
Shacarra Sigler
The environment is inclusive, safe and our son looks forward to his sessions. We are very thankful for the summer camp programs. The VPK program was amazing for him as well.
Teresa Corbet
Our son has a rare genetic syndrome, delayed development and learning disabilities. We have been bringing him to IMPACT Tallahassee since he was 1-year-old and he will soon be 10. The staff in the office, the teachers, the aides are all amazing with the children; I'm very impressed with their professionalism and compassion. I personally recommend IMPACT to people on a regular basis.
Teresa Corbet
IMPACT Tallahassee and their staff have become such an important part of our lives over the last 9 years. We couldn't imagine not being there on a weekly basis.
Teresa Corbet