Heart-Centered Academy: Cultivating Confidence and Community
Established in 2023, Heart-Centered Academy has become more than just an educational institution; it has become synonymous with hope, offering support for students and their families. This faith-based, non-profit learning center, led by Executive Director Melissa Coleman, offers a unique blend of individualized and small-group support tailored to meet the diverse needs of children from elementary to high school.
"We offer services such as formal and informal testing, ADHD support, academic support, consultation, and advocacy," Melissa explained. Heart-Centered Academy provides a safe and nurturing environment where children can thrive.
"We are blessed to have providers come to Heart-Centered Academy to ensure our students' needs are met."
Melissa shared her journey and the philosophy that underpins the academy.
"In mid-August 2023, God called upon me to open my own facility after years of revamping and starting up different programs in various school systems," Melissa recalled. "After sharing my testimony as a former special education teacher and a parent of a child with disabilities, the community came together and wanted to help get the building ready to accept students. Fast forward eight weeks from that day in August, we not only had a building to accept students but also opened our doors and welcomed students, their families, and our supporting providers."
Heart-Centered Academy now has a speech pathologist, a clinical psychologist, and two therapy dogs who come to the academy and comprehensively support students' needs. A key element of Heart-Centered Academy's success is its emphasis on evidence-based teaching strategies tailored to each student's unique learning needs. This individualized approach ensures that no two sessions are exactly alike.
"We teach students how they learn to ensure they can be independent and successful learners," Melissa said, and further explained the academy’s philosophy: "We are committed to providing a positive, safe, faith-focused, and stimulating environment for children to learn, where all are valued. We intend that all children should have a love for learning, achieve their potential, and become independent life-long learners."
The academy's impact is palpable, with 16 regularly attending students and countless families benefiting from its consultation, advocacy, and testing services. Additionally, Heart-Centered Academy partnered with a local middle school last year, serving 102 students once a week for about eight to nine weeks.
"Our numbers continue to grow for our small yet mighty center," Melissa proudly stated.
Melissa's inspiration for her work stems from a deep-seated faith and a profound commitment to serving others.
"First and foremost, God is my inspiration," she shared. "I am inspired by the families we serve and the community who have poured their hearts into us. I have seen the many sides of public and private school education. There is no perfect system, but I do believe that teachers are doing their best to meet the various needs of their students in large classroom sizes. Knowing the budget and resource challenges, Heart-Centered Academy supports not only families but also schools and their teachers."
The joy and fulfillment Melissa derives from her work are evident in her energy and passion for the academy's daily operations. "My enthusiasm for coming to work every day comes from seeing the success of our students, the boost in their confidence, and knowing that families have a safe place to turn to," she said.
Heart-Centered Academy is not just a place for academic growth but also a hub for community engagement and fun. The academy hosts monthly events for its students, such as stuffed animal sleepovers, camping nights, movie nights, an upcoming music night, and an end-of-summer kickoff celebration. "We invite talent from our community to make the events memorable," Melissa mentioned.
One of the academy's core philosophies is building confidence in its students. "Students who come to us know they are struggling and quietly seek acceptance and understanding—behavior is communication. Our students know we know how they learn, and it's okay; in fact, it's awesome," Melissa emphasized. This supportive and affirming environment helps students flourish both academically and personally.
Her commitment to her family matches Melissa's dedication to Heart-Centered Academy. She is a mother of two boys, Bradley (12) and Benny (10), and is supported by her amazing husband, John. Together, they enjoy farming, baseball, and spending time with friends.
Looking ahead, Heart-Centered Academy continues to seek ways to expand its reach and support within the community. Melissa encourages community members to visit the academy's website at heartcenteredacademy.org for more information and to consider donating children's books for their lending library. She also expressed her gratitude for the Fredericksburg community.
"It is a blessing— to say the least— as to how amazing our community is in supporting and uplifting one another."
With help from the community, Heart-Centered Academy continues to thrive, making a lasting impact on its learners, fostering a love for learning, and building confidence in its students.
