Parents Speak about the Springer Experience: Why Springer?

In this blog, you will read about three different families’ experiences. Andrea’s son, Ben, is a fourth grader; Lisa’s son, Nick, is a senior in high school; and Audra’s daughter, Helen, is in the midst of completing college work. They all look back on their children’s attendance at Springer.

Because of her experience with Springer’s summer program, Adventures in Summer Learning, Audra was sure that Springer was the answer for Helen. In four short weeks, Helen was beginning to learn to read after years of frustration. She was learning and had made a lot of new friends in the program. This was an amazing transformation for Helen. Helen’s mother had been told that her daughter would never learn to read or graduate high school. Audra said that the family was able to make it a reality to send Helen to Springer by making a lot of sacrifices, even if that meant driving old cars and eating pizza only once a month!

Ben attended the Adventures program during the summer before his first year at Springer. That experience gave him an opportunity to meet new children and become more comfortable with the teachers and the building. Ben was so excited on the first day at Springer that he already knew another boy from the summer program. Andrea stated that after the summer program, she felt so much more confident that Ben would be okay, and he would make strides in his learning in the Springer environment.

Lisa and her husband always ruled Springer out because of the cost. They kept thinking that it was something they couldn’t afford. During Nick’s 5^th grade year, they felt compelled to pull him out of his current school situation so that he could have a more positive educational experience.

Private testing done through Children’s Hospital helped them better understand Nick’s strengths and weaknesses, and convinced them that they needed to call Springer. It was hard for his parents to see Nick, generally a happy guy, so unhappy at school.