ClearWater Academy parents, friends, community supporters, students, teachers, and faculty gathered at Camp Southern Ground for the school’s 4th Annual Charity Gala on November 3, 2018. Shane Perry, ClearWater Academy parent, hosted the magical evening, and Shastina Chiles provided music, while Jenna Kim Jones kept attendees in stitches with her comedy routine.

Applying for a Medical Waiver from the Georgia Department of Education may help you qualify for SB-10 funds to use in educating your child with special needs at a private school of your choice even if your child did not attend public school K-12.

My son is almost 18 years old, and he still needs help doing the little things like tying his shoes, brushing his teeth, and any other task that requires two hands. From the moment he’s awake to when he goes to bed, I’m constantly managing his care. There are medical appointments, psychiatrist appointments, brace fittings, medication management, and behavior challenges, all in addition to school. Having a child with special needs keeps me very busy!

There are many non-profits in the area where I live that I have been privileged enough to be a part of, many whose purpose is to serve and make a difference in the lives of those with disabilities. Because of my son, these are the organizations that are close to my heart. I have made many friends in these circles and being a part of these organizations has made me a better person. I think many of us that have children with special needs find that where we find our support networks are within organizations that share the struggles with raising a child with special needs. Are the organizations that impact you non-profits?

As my daughter nears the end of her time at ClearWater, I am overcome with a lot of emotions. The one that is the strongest is gratitude! When she was approaching High School, I was at a loss as to how to help her be her best. She had been in inclusive classrooms her whole academic career, and the plan was for her to go to our local public school to be in the Bridges Program, but I was so uneasy and felt that it would be difficult for her to navigate a high school that was even larger than her Middle School, where she had already shut down.

For us finding ClearWater has ensured that we get our happy, smart boy back. Since moving out of our home state, my child had struggled in the local public school setting with developing true friendships. He started showing signs of depression and regression, and so we started looking for options. After he spent a day at ClearWater as part of the admissions process, it was clear to us that this was the best place for him – an entire school full of kids just like him and teachers that understand them.

Upper School students participated in their final Special Pops tennis day for the season. Many thanks to all those who make each season possible: the coaches, the tennis center, the parents and of course, the students.

The 2016 Bijoux Show Stables Equestrian Gala benefitting ClearWater Academy (CWA) was a magical evening, filled with enjoyment of the beautiful horses in Bijoux’s exquisitely decorated barn; an equestrian riding exhibition in their picturesque pastures; sumptuous dining including a Hanna Brothers catered dinner, cash beer, wine and coffee bars rounded out by dessert from City Cafe and Bakery; a Dang Chicks runway show; several raffles; both a silent and live auction as well as a ClearWater Academy student performance of “Once A Day by Michael Franti,” entirely choreographed by Daniel de los Reyes of the three time Grammy Award winning Zac Brown Band and founder of DayGLOW Music. The capstone of the evening was a live musical performance by Brian Collins along with Daniel de los Reyes.