CLEARWATER, Fla. — Walking through the halls of the soon-to-be new location for Autism Inspired Academy in Clearwater, co-founder Cher Harris said she knew the school had to move in order to keep growing.

“The more time I spent here I just realized what it needed to be and what it meant for our families,” she said.

What You Need To Know

  •  Autism Inspired Academy has 115 students enrolled for their 5th year

  •  School started in 2020 with 28 students

  •  Each classroom has a lead teacher, support teacher, and behavioral team 

  • The first day for students is August 19

Autism Inspired Academy is in the process of moving to 11225 US-19 in Clearwater, into the campus of the former Woodlawn Community Academy. Their new facility will have multiple classrooms for each grade level, an auditorium, large yard with new equipment, and additional learning spaces.

The school formally opened in Clearwater in August 2020 - at the height of the pandemic - with 28 students. Now headed into its fifth school year, 115 students are enrolled. All students at Autism Inspired Academy have an autism diagnosis and depending on their needs will be placed in either a modified class setting or a standard-based program.

“Class sizes are much smaller compared to 25-30 kids in a public school,” Harris explained. “They have individualized instruction so we really try to target some of those skills like comprehensive or writing skills.”

Harris says for the younger classes, each room has 9-10 kids with a lead teacher, support teacher, as well as a behavioral team. The high school classes are a bit bigger, capped out around 12 students. Each student's track and curriculum is based on their unique set of needs.

“We want not only a safe and loving and comfortable environment but we want them to thrive and be functioning members of the community,” Harris said.

A ribbon cutting ceremony for the new location is taking place August 13, and the first day of school is set for next Monday.