Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes
Elizabeth Academy was named for a little girl with Down syndrome. Her mother wanted Lauren Elizabeth to attend school with her older sister who did not have Down syndrome. She set out to find a school in Salt Lake City that could teach them both but none existed.
So, she created one.
Elizabeth Academy was born in 2009
Seedlings were planted when 3-year-old Lauren enrolled in the same Montessori classroom as her 5-year-old sister. Lauren's mother marveled at how the Montessori method worked its magic on little Lauren.
Listening to a group of older children across the room repeat their letter sounds, Lauren (who had only 10 one-syllable utterances at the time), fluently mimicked an entire phrase of what she heard on the other side of the room: "monkey, monkey, mm, mm, 'M'".
Her mother was amazed— Montessori was a miracle with a capital M!
Dismissed but not defeated
Despite this initial jubilation, after a three-week trial period, Lauren was dismissed. Montessori alone, for this child, was not enough. Heartbroken, Lauren's mother went to the school to pick up her things.
As the sad-eyed teacher expressed apologies, Lauren's mother felt a warmth and confidence overtake her. Her mission became crystal clear.
Looking into those sad eyes with renewed faith, appreciation and understanding, she told the teacher, "I would like to thank you for the time Lauren had in your class and for dismissing her. The door closing on her today will open the door for countless children to come."
A new day dawns for inclusive Montessori Education
That was the start of Elizabeth Academy, an inclusive Montessori school in Salt Lake City, designed to accommodate every child's educational needs.
The model is capable of meeting the needs of children with intellectual disabilities and children who are academically typical and advanced in the same classroom. Experienced Montessori teachers collaborate with seasoned therapists in a comprehensive array of therapies— speech, music, occupational, physical, reading/academics, social/emotional and behavioral.
These teaching teams integrate lessons with therapeutic techniques into the classroom, collaborating to create a fluid learning environment and classroom community where EVERYONE excels. Typically developing (80% of students) and neurodiverse children benefit from the peer-mentoring, and advanced students become peer leaders. All students thrive in a stimulating educational environment that nurtures social/emotional well-being, civic responsibility, compassion, confidence, and creativity.
She lived happily ever after and the journey continues
Lauren Elizabeth graduated from Elizabeth Academy and is pursuing a post-secondary education through the University of Utah's LEADD Program that will lead to a vocation and the opportunity to be a contributing member of the society she so wanted to become a part of — the society she deserves to have a place in.
And as Lauren grew up, so did Elizabeth Academy. Now the school "follows the child" (as Maria Montessori would say) from infancy through high school.
Elizabeth Academy is an innovative, inclusive, inspirational Montessori school. The school motto is "Enlightenment — for all— for life."
Two campuses are united in heart and purpose — Elizabeth Academy Primary School (infants-6th grade) at 2870 S Connor Street in Millcreek, and Elizabeth Academy Secondary School (7th-12th grade) in the former Garfield School building at 1838 S 1500 E in Sugarhouse.
Elizabeth Academy sees promise and potential in the eyes of every child.
Schedule a tour to learn more about Elizabeth Academy. Applications for the 2023-2024 school year will open in January.
