Bright Academy

Bright Academy: Where Every Child's Light Shines

Bright Academy is more than a school - it's a sanctuary for children who learn differently.  From the moment you walk through its doors, you're met with warmth, purpose, and a deep sense of belonging.  The laughter in the hallways, the encouragement from teachers, and the joy of students discovering their potential all reflect one powerful belief: dyslexia and other language-based learning differences are not limitations, but unique pathways to brilliance.

The story began in 2013 with a passionate educator who became a Certified Academic Language Therapist. After years of working with students who struggled in a traditional classroom, she saw a troubling pattern: bright, capable children were being misunderstood and left behind simply because they processed language differently. These students were imaginative, articulate, and curious - yet they dreaded reading aloud or writing. Their talents were being overshadowed by frustration and shame.

She realized the problem was not the students; it was the system. Determined to create a better way, she founded a school built entirely around how dyslexic students learn. That vision became Bright Beginnings Academy, a small heart-driven school where hope and understanding came first. With a few teachers and students, she created a nurturing environment and looked beyond test scores to see the whole child.

At its core, Bright Academy's mission is to empower students with learning differences through individualized, research-based education in a nurturing, faith-filled environment. This mission is a daily practice rooted in compassion and respect for each child's unique mind.

What began as a few small classrooms has grown into the only full-day dyslexia school on the Alabama Gulf Coast, serving students in grades 1-8. Bright Academy maintains a remarkably low student-to-teacher ratio, ensuring that every child recieves the attention and support they need to thrive. This ratio represents a promise that no student will go unseen or unheard.

Every day includes one full hour of dyslexia therapy, led by Certified Academic Language Therapists trained in the Orton-Gillingham approach- a structured, multisensory method proven to help students with dyslexia master reading and writing. These sessions are tailored to each student's pace and focus on decoding, fluency, spelling, comprehension, and handwriting.

Beyond therapy, students engage in a rich, hands-on curriculum that includes math, science, social studies, art, music, and STEM. Learning includes using robotics, 3D printing, and creative storytelling. The goal is not just to help students "catch up," but to help them fall in love with learning again.

Bright Academy's approcah goes beyond academics. The school recognizes that children with dyslexia often carry emotional wounds from years of feeling misunderstood.  Therefore, the staff is committed to nurturing the whole child - mind, heart, and spirit. 

Empathy, patience, and faith are the foundation of every interaction.  Through consistent encouragement and supportive routine, students begin to heal.  They learn that school can be a place of safety, joy, and growth.  

The school also supports families, offering resources, guidance, and a sense of community.  Parents who once felt isolated find themselves surrounded by others who understand their journey. Many describe Bright Academy as a lifeline - a place that restored their child's confidence and their family's hope. 

Parents across Mobile and the Gulf Coast often say, "We finally found a school that understands our child."  That understanding is what sets Bright Academy apart.  Classrooms are calm and filled with encouragement. Instruction is grounded and delivered with empathy.  Staff members are trained to recognize how learning differenes affect a child's identiy and confidence.  

As a nonprofit 501(c)(3), Bright Academy operates with a mission-first philosophy. Tuition is approximately $14,950, but nearly 50% of students receive finanial aid, with scholarships averaging around $7,000.  Community partnerships and donations help make the program accessible to families who need it.  

Bright Academy's success is not measured by test scores alone.  It is seen in the faces of children who once dreaded school but now arrive with excitement.  It is heard in the laughter of classrooms and the quiet pride of a student reading aloud for the first time.

As the school looks forward, its mission remains clear: to ensure that no child with dyslexia feels invisible. Under the leadership of Gina Englund,  B.A. continues to grow, expand programs, and share the message that every learner has brilliance within them, waiting to unlocked.

In a world that often values speed and conformity, B.A. stands as a radiant reminder that true learning is about courage, creativity, and heart. Here, every child's light is not only seen - it's celebrated.