Jack’s Journey at The Auburn School
Growing Up at The Auburn School, Jack’s Early Challenges
When Kyle first brought his son, Jack, to Camp Aristotle, The Auburn School’s summer program, he didn’t know what to expect. At just 4 years old, Jack had already attended four preschool programs. Each ended the same way: frustration, isolation, and a sense that no one really knew how to teach or support him.
“The prognosis was horrible,” Kyle recalled. “We were told Jack would probably never speak, let alone go to school. We were caught between options that didn’t fit – either extremely restrictive settings where he wouldn’t learn academics, or general education classrooms without the right supports. Both failed him.”
Finding the Right Environment for Growth
But that first summer at Auburn changed everything. “He came home happy instead of miserable,” Kyle said. “It was the first time we thought, maybe there’s a place for him.”
Jack joined The Auburn School full-time for kindergarten. Today, the 12-year-old sixth grader is thriving academically, socially, and emotionally. “When he started school, testing showed he was so far below grade level he couldn’t even be measured,” Kyle said. “By the end of kindergarten, he was reading above grade level, and he still is.”
Building Friendships and Social Confidence
Early on, play and friendships were the biggest challenges. “He wanted to play with trains when other kids were moving on to other types of games,” Kyle said, adding that this added a complicated layer to social dynamics with other children and their parents.
Notably, the team at Auburn didn’t push Jack to develop more quickly, and that patience paid off: by the end of kindergarten, Jack made his first real friend. “I still get emotional thinking about that,” Kyle admitted. “He had never connected with another child before. And now he has a group of friends.”
Supports That Evolve as Students Grow
Over time, Jack’s support at the Auburn School evolved with him. “When he was little, occupational therapy and sensory regulation were essential,” Kyle said. “As he’s gotten older, the focus has shifted to social support development, like building deeper friendships and a focus on academics. Auburn has always met him where he is.”
A School Culture Built on Empathy and Belonging
For Kyle, what stands out most is the school’s culture. “The tone Andy has set is extraordinary,” he said. “The level of empathy and inclusion that fills the halls – it’s a beautiful thing. For kids like Jack, who are bright but neurodivergent, there aren’t many places that truly fit. Auburn threads that needle.”
Another sense of relief for Kyle is that bullying is non-existent at Auburn. “Bullying is such a huge fear among parents of neurodivergent children. At Auburn, Jack feels comfortable being himself and has never faced judgment for being who he is. For any parent worried about their child belonging, that is something they foster at Auburn.”
Looking Toward a Bright Future
Today, Jack is preparing for high school and even beginning to think about where he would like to attend college. “To go from being told he’d never read or speak, to talking about his future is amazing,” Kyle said. “Auburn gave him a place to belong, and that’s made all the difference.”
Overall, the growth has been profound. “To go from being told your child would never be capable of reading at grade level to talking about college planning. That’s incredible.” For parents in the autism and disability community, he added, that kind of transformation carries deep meaning. “It’s terrifying when you don’t know if your child will ever be able to live independently. You worry constantly about their future. Auburn restores hope and reminds us that there are bright futures ahead for its students.”
