By Jamie Hamilton
Executive Director, Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett
LAWRENCEVILLE, Ga. | Since 1987, Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett (SNSG), which is not part of the Gwinnett County Public Schools, has served the special needs community in Gwinnett and surrounding counties through their PreK-12 School and Young Adults Learning Life Skills (YALLS) Program. It currently enrolls nearly 100 students, ages 3 to 40.
Hamilton
What started with four preschool students, a teacher and a converted storage closet at Christ the Lord Lutheran Church in Lawrenceville has grown substantially on its eight-acre campus on Davis Road. Operating as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, it serves families who’ve struggled to find the right learning environment for their child. By providing an individualized approach to education where every student has their own strengths, challenges and goals, SNSG teaches a positive self-image and love for learning that will serve as the foundation for a successful and joyful life.
With approximately 20,000 school-aged children in Gwinnett County classified as having a disability, the need for educational options has never been more important. While some can succeed in a public traditional educational setting, most need a personalized approach to truly thrive. To do this, SNSG provides a high-quality, safe and inclusive experience where academic, social, emotional and personal growth are cultivated in classrooms of only 10 students.
Its students, who come from all backgrounds and functional levels, learn together so that higher functional students can act as role models and motivators for their lower-functioning peers. They, in return, help teach empathy, patience and understanding which many students lack.
As a private school, there is a tuition for students to enroll in the school program, which is among the most affordable in the Atlanta metro area. Nearly every family receives financial support through the Georgia Special Needs Scholarship (SB10 Program) related to their child’s disability. Tuition and fees are complemented by charitable giving from personal, business and foundation donors.
Thanks to the tireless work of teachers, paraprofessionals, therapists and support staff, students will learn and grow as they progress through their educational journey. Many will graduate with accredited diplomas, attend college or technical schools, or seek employment opportunities. Others will continue building their education, focus on life skills development and set goals that are appropriate for them and their families.
To help support these individuals, SNSG also operates the YALLS day program that acts as a transition from school into adulthood. The YALLS program focuses on continuing education, support, and training that will help build independence that will serve these young adults in their communities, at home, and in work settings.
In the summer of 2022, the school will renovate an existing building on its property and create the YALLS Life Skills Development Center, a purposefully built space that will provide training in the areas of housekeeping and hospitality along with culinary arts and food service. Through industry partnerships, SNSG will develop detailed training programs, on-the-job training opportunities and provide the support needed for students to contribute to the workforce and/or in their home lives.
Special Needs Schools of Gwinnett continues to see a tremendous demand for its services. It will soon launch an effort to add a new school building that will serve at least 60 new students. It also strives to provide financial support to families so that these amazing young people can receive the education they deserve regardless of their family’s circumstances. To learn more about SNSG, visit www.specialneedsschools.org or contact me at j.m.hamilton@specialneedsschools.org.
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