ACCESS: A Place for Big Words and Big Dreams

10/5/2025 7:56 pm

Our daughter was struggling as a 2nd grader because she was a very bright child who was not receiving the supports she needed at her prior school. She was reading middle reader books and doing self-directed 4th grade work on Khan Academy at home (totally her idea, and not ours!), but her prior school would only agree to let her Single Subject Accelerate by one year. She was made to feel different by the other kids in her class for leaving during math or for using "big words." She primarily kept to herself during recess and had not developed many friends. She successfully applied to Access for 3rd grade and has flourished and thrived since then because she is finally surrounded by other bright, quirky girls who love math and think that it's GREAT to use "big words." She is now a confident, engaging 6th grader who loves books and STEM.  Her love of learning has been nurtured and shaped by the amazing Access faculty and staff.  

Our son is now in 9th and has tremendous confidence in his academic abilities. He is one of the only 9th graders in classes of mostly 11th graders, and he describes being one of the only students who raises their hand or participates when the teacher asks for class participation. Access gave him that confidence because he didn't have to feel like a fish out of water for being bright since all the other Access kids were equally bright.  

- Parent of a 6th grader and an ACCESS Alum