Save Kingsbury - DC's oldest school that services Students with Learning Differences like me!!

No Limits: No Boundaries! MY JOurney through the ABc's

Julian’s Story:

He was born at 25 weeks weighing 1lb 15oz with brain damage.  I was told he would not be able to walk, talk or do simple life things. He has struggled both with medical issues and learning issues.  When he was to enter middle school, we made the decision to find a school for him with small class and lots of personal attention.  We were hoping that a specialized school would help him access more learning by using different tools.    We search, applied and got denied to most school in the Maryland, DC, Virginia area except two school.  Kingsbury Day School won our hearts.  It felt like we belonged.  But the most important things, is that Julian felt at home.  We took the leap of faith in 6th grade and have loved it ever since.  He is 15 years and now in the 9th grade, he has found the perfect school to allow him to flourish.  He uses his strengths and the tools that he has been taught at Kingsbury to be successful.  He has a group of amazing peers and teachers he adores.  He is able to participate on his school sports teams (and we were told when he was younger that he should not play team sports).  Last week, the parents and teacher were informed that Kingsbury Day School will have to close its doors at the end of the year.  The sale of the school building – which would allow the school to remain open – has taken much longer to close than anticipated.  So, there is not enough money to operate the school from September 2019 to January 2020.  I am sharing here to get any suggestions, ideas, money to help save the school.  I can not see him anywhere else.  I am not even sure he will be accepted anywhere else where he can be diploma seeking.  My son and his friends are devastated.  SO, if you have any ideas, please let me know.  Please share with anyone else who may have ideas.  Please help save Kingsbury Day School, the oldest private institution in Washington DC to serve students with learning differences. 

GO FUND KINGSBURY!
https://www.gofundme.com/save-the-oldest-special-needs-school-in-dc​


The Kingsbury Story:

In September 1938, Marion Kingsbury founded what we know today as The Kingsbury Center.  What began as a center for tutoring, later became Washington DC’s first educational non-profit institution that serves students with learning differences. The Kingsbury Center which includes a Day School provides a transformative educational and social experience for children with learning differences and ADHD.   In addition, the center offers services such as Tutoring, Diagnostic, Psychotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Speech and Language Services.

The current Head of School, Dr. Dennis Campbell said it perfectly –  “Kingsbury is an extraordinary school community that connects students with learning differences to their learning and to the possibilities to live rich and full lives.”


Unfortunately, the parents have been informed that the school will close in June 2019.

Over the past several years, enrollment has steadily declined to a level that has caused significant financial distress and has hampered our efforts to create a financially sustainable school. These challenges and a protracted building sale contributed to the decision to close. The Center will close operations on June 30, 2019, to ensure minimal impact to the educational needs of our students this year.


However, the parents also know that if we can fundraiser enough money to sustain the school through the building sale and closing of the building in January 2020, our children's lives will continue to be enriched. So we are asking for help to save the oldest private special needs school in Washington DC. 


Check out the school and all of the stories on Facebook. There are so many unique stories on how Kingsbury has helped our children grow.  https://www.facebook.com/MyKingsbury/

Please help, share and help us save this amazing school.