Provide transformative education for kids with neurobiological challenges
Help Sophia Academy re-set and reopen as an IWMBC Network School
Help Sophia Academy re-set and reopen as an IWMBC Network School
Interpersonal Whole Brain Model of Care Transforms Student Education
For ten years, Sophia Academy has awakened the genius of urban students with learning and genetic differences through our multi-sensory, hands-on, Christ-centered education. Emphasizing play, creativity, divergent thinking, and love, Sophia teachers have been able to reach students who had experienced years of failure in school.
Parents have said:
- "Sophia Academy gave my autistic son his words."
- "I am so pleased with my grandson's experience at Sophia Academy. Now he is doing well at Walnut Hill College."
- "My child has done a 180. Now he is eager to go to school."
Sophia Academy has the goal to become a Philadelphia leader in therapeutic and educational innovation, directly transforming the lives of even more students with neurobiological challenges (autism, emotional/behavioral challenges, trauma-related conditions, brain injury, dyslexia, ADHD, etc.). We are working with The Jacob's Ladder Group to become an IWBMC network school.
The Interpersonal Whole-Brain Model of Care® (IWBMC™), is a comprehensive, science-informed framework that integrates cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and physiological support. Developed over years by The Jacob's Ladder Group, the IWBMC™ is an integrated model provides a shared framework and common language that helps teachers, related service providers, and families work together more effectively.
- Teachers and staff gain a clear, practical lens to understand the “why” behind student struggles in regulation, attention, or learning.
- The model provides specific, actionable strategies that can be implemented immediately in classrooms and small-group settings.
- The IWBMC™ strengthens collaboration and ensures consistent support strategies across settings.
We will continue to be small school with very small class size. We will continue 1:3 or 1:1 interventions for our students as needed. We will continue to awaken genius as we use neuroplasticity to encourage cognitive growth. We will continue to serve each student and family with excellence as the hands and feet of Jesus.
Immediate changes will include
- Specialized training for all staff
- Changing our registration from a 9-12 school to one that serves K-12
- Testing every student with a qEEG that measures over 1300 neurobiological parameters to develop an individualized curriculum.
- Licensing the AHAVE software: by embedding the IWBMC™ principles into our school’s daily rhythm, we ensure that every teacher, aide, and administrator can apply the model with clarity and consistency.
To meet our goal of re-opening in the Fall of 2026 while incorporating this new model, Sophia Academy has an ambitious goal to raise $500,000 between now and August 2026. Over the next three years, we hope to raise $2.3 million to place the school on secure and sustainable financial footing.
I am asking you today to prayerfully consider becoming a sustaining donor to enable Sophia to reopen and remain viable. We would like 100 people to commit to donate $100 each month for the next two years. This small commitment will reap tremendous rewards in the lives of struggling students and their families.
If you prefer to give a yearly larger gift, we humbly ask for
- Appreciated assets (call for our investment account details)
- Contributions from your RMD or IRA for a tax free donation
- Significant seed money. Talk to us about naming rights to one of our programs or campuses.
THANK YOU!!