MileStone Academy

In 1989, our Co-Founder, Kathy Hunt, a son’s mother with language-based learning difficulties, forged a relationship with several mothers facing the same problems. They had children who were capable of succeeding but struggled in the academic arena. The private school, whose teaching approach proved successful for their children, closed, and there was no alternative for these students. Kathy led the group of parents and the closing school’s teaching staff to open a new school, Center School.  

Throughout her 24 years at Center School, Kathy constantly desired to expand the grade levels to include high school to help more students in their academic development.

In 2012, Kathy Hunt left Center School to achieve her dream; creating a high school for students with language-based learning difficulties, and others who needed a safe and nurturing environment to learn was her new mission.

Kathy saw a need and is now working with the other founders of MileStone Academy to realize this mission. They are a mix of professionals who have been educating children with language-based learning disabilities for over 25 years and parents of children with language-based learning disabilities.  The Board members of MileStone all concur that numerous high school students in the greater Philadelphia area would benefit from this type of educational environment.

Our research found studies showing the need for language-based learning in preparing for this dream. Multiple studies show that students who score below proficient in standardized reading tests by third grade are less likely to graduate high school by age 19.  The reading scores for 4^th graders in Philadelphia showed that 86% of them scored basic or below in 2011, and 64% of students graduated on time in 2013.  Studies show many factors affecting low reading scores, including class size, teacher qualifications, and socioeconomic factors like family structure, neighborhoods, and poverty.  

We know that many children with language-based learning disabilities are not identified and are pushed from one grade to the next without the proper intervention or support. Most educational systems are cookie-cutter programs that do not focus on individual students’ learning styles or needs.  Studies show that successful people are confident not because they are more intelligent but because they are more resourceful and aware of their strengths and weaknesses.

Our mission is to educate students with complex learning challenges by fostering a nurturing and positive environment that utilizes research-based practices.

We empower students to realize their strengths and capabilities by teaching self-advocacy skills and strategies for overcoming frustrations that will serve them well in their future endeavors.

Our vision is to educate students with complex learning challenges, so they become confident, productive twenty-first-century learners.

We foster a safe, collaborative space to educate high school students with complex learning challenges.
Using a research-based approach to teaching, our educators support students by cultivating their strengths, supplying individualized lesson plans, and applying strategies for success.

With a 5:1 student-to-teacher ratio, students can access individualized lesson plans. They are encouraged to be self-starters, use new technology, or fund a field trip.

By learning to adapt teaching to how their students learn, Milestone gives everyone the necessary tools to build a future, they want and deserve.

We help students who experience various challenges, including but not limited to ADHD, anxiety, ASD, auditory and visual processing, bullying, executive functioning, language-based learning differences, reading comprehension, school avoidance, emotional and social development, and test anxiety.