Worth Every Mile: Why One Family Chose The Auburn School

A Mother’s 90-Minute Drive for Her Son’s Success at The Auburn School

Monday through Friday, Monica H. drives roughly 90 minutes to get her son to and home from The Auburn School. It’s not a short commute, but for her family, every mile is worth it.

C., a sixth grader, joined Auburn this fall after completing elementary school in the public system.

“When he was younger, school was great,” Monica said. “He had friends and did pretty well. But as he got older and the work got harder, things changed. His learning differences and communication style weren’t in sync with what the public school could provide.”

The Challenges of Traditional Classrooms for Unique Learners

Though his teachers were caring and capable, Monica said the large class sizes made it nearly impossible to meet his needs. “When you’re trying to manage the needs of 30 students, the child who learns differently can get lost,” she said.

The stress carried into home life. “By the end of fifth grade, I was getting calls from the school almost every day,” Monica said. “My husband and I both work full-time and have three kids. It reached a point where I’d wake up wondering, ‘What’s the call going to be today?’”

Discovering The Auburn School: A Community That Fits

When the family started researching alternative options, they were determined to find a place that could nurture their son’s strengths, not just manage his challenges. “We visited multiple schools before Auburn,” she said. “It’s the furthest from our home, but when we learned about its focus – a school for bright kids who just need something different – it clicked.”

Auburn’s small class sizes and thoughtful approach made the transition smoother than she imagined. “C. isn’t great with change, and at first, he was hesitant about Auburn,” Monica said. “But now he has new friends, he’s been invited to birthday parties, he’s interested in his classes, and he comes home feeling confident. I don’t see that same wariness anymore.”

One difference, she said, is in how Auburn partners with families. “At his old school, calls meant something was wrong. Now, I get updates focused on his growth as a person,” she said. “At our recent parent-teacher conference, they talked about who he is – that he’s funny, creative, and kind, before sharing the plan for what he needs to work on. My husband later noted that it was one of the best school meetings he’d ever attended.”

Monica describes Auburn as a community where educators and families collaborate to help each child succeed. “The teachers and professionals here really understand what it takes to raise a kid who is unique. They don’t blink when a student needs extra support. They meet them where they are and teach each child to appreciate what makes them interesting.”

Auburn’s Partnership with Families Makes the Difference

For their family, the sense of belonging is close to home. “For the first time, I feel like we’ve found a place that truly gets him,” Monica said. “The Auburn community is warm, it’s welcoming, and they care about helping their students grow up to be good humans.”