Beaufort Academy donates $400,000 to Foundation to expand help for learning disabilities
With the goal of helping more students with learning differences and disabilities succeed more quickly, Beaufort Academy is doubling its efforts by donating more than $400,000 to Coastal Community Foundation to benefit students across Beaufort County. At the same time, Beaufort Academy’s Learning Center is open to all students — in public schools, religious schools, charter schools and home schools — who need added help with learning differences such as dyslexia, Attention Deficit Disorder, ADHD or basic tutoring and SAT prep services, said Julia Corner, head of school at Beaufort Academy.
“We are the best community resource for college-bound students, and it’s important to note that learning differences and disabilities don’t have any impact on intelligence,” Corner said. “The Beaufort Academy Learning Center provides on-site help, but by donating $400,000 to Coastal Community Foundation, we can help even more students across all of Beaufort County.”
BA’s Learning Center opened about five years ago, funded largely through donations by Beaufort Academy alumni, community leader Malcolm Goodridge and others committed to improving education for all students.
“Donating this block of money to Coastal Community Foundation is the best use of the original contributions to help youngsters with learning disabilities, and it also allows Beaufort Academy to focus on our Learning Center and expanding our services,” said Charles Tumlin, chairman of the BA Board of Trustees.
Because the original donations were made to Beaufort Academy with its non-profit 501(c)(3) tax status, Board members felt it most appropriate to donate the remaining funds to Coastal Community Foundation, also a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
The Foundation will manage the endowment in perpetuity, helping it to grow so that money always will be available to students in need of help, said Edna Crews, regional vice president for Coastal Community Foundation.
“Everybody seems happy with how this is working out,” she said. “When the Beaufort Academy Board of Trustees made the decision to donate their funds to us, it ensured that the fund will grow to benefit children with learning differences forever.
“At the same time, it enables Beaufort Academy to focus on what they do so well, which is help college-bound students succeed no matter what their learning style or learning difference,” said Crews.
Funds will be distributed through competitive applications and schools, churches, government organizations and public charities may apply, Crews said. The mission of Coastal Community Foundation is to foster philanthropy for the lasting good of the community.
Services provided at Beaufort Academy’s Learning Center include:
· Tutoring services include academic coaching, study skills instruction, course content tutoring, skills remediation in reading, writing and math, and preventative intervention
· Specialized instruction is arranged in several formats. Instructional time is offered during the typical school day or after school. Knowledgeable professionals meet with students one on one or in small groups
· Consulting is designed to help families understand the learning process and specific barriers to learning. Learning profile exploration helps to uncover strengths, weaknesses, and useful strategies to promote greater academic success
· Community referrals are based on individual needs and may include psycho-educational testing, counseling, medication management, and occupational therapy
· Teacher training helps to empower teachers with practical knowledge about learning styles, specific strategies, and a variety of resources to make the learning process more engaging and productive.
Coastal Community Foundation began in 1974 with $9,000 from The Rotary Club of Charleston. Today they manage over $150 million in combined assets held in over 620 individual funds. Thousands of donors are served and charitable organizations supported throughout eight coastal Carolina counties.
Beaufort Academy is an independent college preparatory school on Lady’s Island serving pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students from across the Lowcountry, primarily from northern Beaufort County. For more details visit www.beaufortacademy.org or call 843-524-3393.
