Killian Oaks Academy

Thank you Killian Oaks Academy for believing in my children, their abilities, and their magic. Not only have they been transformed academically, they are happy and confident about their skills. Life has changed at home, thanks to you when they come home, they complete their homework independently and we get to enjoy our children. The homework battles are over! We feel blessed because of the support Ms. Ricon, Dr. Ricon and the staff provide whenever we need them! Your openness and willingness to guide us and mentor us as parents have allowed us to feel completely supported. You are a miracle in our community!
—Submitted by a parent

I am so thankful to have found this school for my child. He has been in the school for 2 years. He started not speaking much. Now he speaks, reads, writes, and is great in math. Every time I met with the staff I am amazed at the level my child is performing. The faculty is professional, well trained in helping students with disabilities, and most importantly, God is very present in this school. The atmosphere is welcoming, loving, and they want students to reach their highest potential.
—Submitted by a parent

We are so happy with this school! Wish we had found it sooner. The direction and staff are so caring and work closely with the students and parents to make the learning experience a great one. Every school should follow their example.
—Submitted by a parent

Love, love, love this school! We couldn't be happier with our choice. The mastery program is fantastic. The children are encouraged to expand their horizons by working to their own potential and are genuinely excited to learn. My son was falling through the cracks in PS, his self esteem was so low and he was shutting down. Since he's been at Killian Oaks, he's gotten back his spark. He looks forward to school and is excelling, not only in the classroom, but at home and in his extra curricular activities as well.
—Submitted by a parent

As a parent of a child with a spectrum disorder, I feel incredibly blessed to have found Killian Oaks Academy. Due to my son's inability to adapt to a traditional classroom setting, he was previously removed from both public and private school programs. At the time, we felt at a loss but once we enrolled at KOA, he flourished immediately and is currently in his third year. KOA not only provides a strong and individualized student program in a small classroom setting, they also focus on the child as a whole. Their life skills program teaches empathy, improves self esteem, and instills attributes that assist for a successful future. At KOA your child will be more than a number or label; they will be accepted and positively regarded as extraordinary individuals.
—Submitted by a parent

This school has been a blessing for our child and our family. When we were first asked to leave a school this was the first school that was recommended. We truly feel it was destiny. The administrators and staff have a genuine interest in every child's well being. The curriculum customized so every student works at their own pace. They are also taught exceptional character qualities such as respect, responsibility, honesty, integrity, patriotism, empathy, compassion, etc...They constantly hold events where the entire family is welcome. They run a fine institution and deserve special recognition for being INDEPENDENT (no big profit corporation) as well ACCREDITED. That speaks to the quality of the school.
—Submitted by a parent

At Killian Oaks Academy I discovered my true potential. I was allowed to progress at my own pace while receiving the support that I needed and my self confidence was kept at a high level. I attained high school performance by middle school and am now am thriving at college level. I am very proud to be attending Smith College!
—Submitted by a student

As a parent who had two children attend this school I can honestly say that the effort, compassion and attention devoted to helping the students learn and develop their academxc skills is remarkable. Because many children have specific learning styles and approaches it takes an expert in this field to understand a child's particular needs which Killian Oaks Academy was able to do. My children prospered as students there and I owe a debt of gratitude to the teachers, staff and Mercedes and Dr. Merchie Ricon.
—Submitted by a parent

My son was finally identified by the Miami-Dade School district as "other medically disabled" only after suffering a seizure. Prior to that, the county refused to provide the additional help he needed, regardless of the fact that he was born with cerebral palsy, had several physical challenges and was unable to keep pace with the other students in his classes. Once he was placed on an IEP by Miami-Dade schools, we started looking for alternatives to the public school system. We found KOA by researching schools approved by the McCain Scholarship. He spent 3 years at KOA, during which they brought him up to his current grade level. Not only was he on track, but he was working ahead in several subjects. The director of KOA recommended that we place him in a regular high school, to continue his progress, both academically and socially. We reluctantly followed her advice, and it was the best move we could have made. After 4 years at Palmetto High, he graduated with a 3.7GPA, earned both the Florida Medallion Scholarship, the Miami-Dade College American Dream Scholarship, and tested out of all of the common remedial courses for college freshmen. Thank you, Ms. Ricon and staff!
—Submitted by a parent

We are beginning our fourth year at Killian Oaks Academy and are as happy with it today as we were the first day we walked onto its beautiful campus. The Directors are wonderful and have always had an open door policy, and our daughter's experience in the Primary Classroom has been and still remains outstanding. We love Killian Oaks!
—Submitted by a parent

I couldn't agree more with the post below. I also pulled my child from Killian Oaks. In the three months my child was there, there were at least six or seven teachers that came and went. The learning materials my child brought home were not what were shown to me at orientation or at open house. Instead my child brought home outdated, used material. Workbooks with pages torn out that had previously been assigned to and used by a another child. My child felt the teachers didn't spend the time with him that he truly needed. School administration was unfortunately misleading and can't deliver. High teacher turnover. Extremely overpriced and fell way below my expectations.
—Submitted by a parent

I pulled my child out of this school for many reasons. First, my child came home with inconsistent work that seemed poorly planned and outdated. Second, the after-school programs are extremely limited but very expensive. Third, there is no computer class or interesting electives other than music and art which are offered on a sporadic basis, according to my child. For what me and my wife were paying, we were surprised to have very little feedback from the teachers and directors. School events also seemed poorly executed and the staff is constantly changing. Leadership is strange and it looks like they pretend to be accomplishing things that are not real. There is a better deal out there, avoid this school.
—Submitted by a parent

Killian Oaks Academy rescued us from a devastating experience at another school. Ms. Ricon and Dr. Ricon embraced our family and let us know that there was nothing to fear, we would be taken care of, and we certainly were! Our daughte's academic skills have soared, and more impotantly, so has her faith in mankind and in her ability to once again trust. My daughter is graduating this year, a confident young woman excited about attending college. Throughout the six years that our daughter has attended K.O.A., the administration ensured that every staff member was trained to work with our daughter and with us. The team meetings where all her teachers were present ensured that the staff met her academic and social needs throughout her personalized program. We certainly appreciate the many times that we just dropped in and Ms. Ricon immediately organized a team meeting. Yes, we needed support when we first walked into K.O.A. and after six years, we can say that Killian Oaks Academy has been there for us every step of the way! We are looking forward to our daughter attending college, and we know that Killian Oaks Academy will remain in our lives.
—Submitted by a parent

Killian Oaks Academy provided my son with the foundation necessary to attain success in his life. They helped him to develop a love of learning that will remain with him always. He is now a junior in college and still utilizes the strategies and techniques that he developed at this wonderful school. Through all of their patience, guidance and specialized support, they helped him to believe in himself. I feel grateful for this amazing school and I highly recommend it to all parents who are seeking a great education for their children.
—Submitted by a parent

My husband and I are in love with Killian Oaks Academy. We visited many private schools in Dade County and felt they did not understand our child s needs. From the moment we met with the director, listened to her wisdom and expertise, and saw the warmth and care with which she treated every student and staff member, we knew we had found our new home. It is reassuring to know that with their open door policy, as parents we can receive support whenever we need it. Our son is excited to go to school now and has progressed two years in reading in the past seven months. For the first time in his life, he is doing homework independently and homework is no longer a battle. Before attending Killian Oaks Academy, my son felt he had few friends. With the social guidance that they have provided him, he now feels that he is everyone s friend and a valued member of the school community. We thank Killian Oaks Academy for transforming our child, our family, and our home.
—Submitted by a parent

As the single parent of two former Killian Oaks Academy students I could not be more appreciate and grateful to Mrs. Ricon and the KOA teachers and staff for the huge progress and achievement my children made while at Killian Oaks. My son went to a college preparatory program and became valedictorian of his school and is a freshman attending a top college. My daughter is currently a high school junior with excellent grades and a good attitude about school and life in general. The academic lessons and life skills instilled in my children while at KOA has played a prominant role in their success.
—Submitted by a parent

I love this school because of the education killian oaks academy do for these students
—Submitted by a student

I am a former KoA student that was just accepted into college, and thought I would let every one out there know that i believe KoA turned my life around. I felt as though i would never amount to anything. I was failing at my previous school and my self esteem was in the gutter. If it weren't for Mercedes Ricon and the faculty and staff at Killian Oaks, i dont know where i would be right now. I do know that i would not be experiencing the amount of success i am enjoying now . The one on one attention i received as a student there helped me to discover my full potential. I felt lost in a large classroom enviroment but at KoA they suportted me in a way that i became confident in my abillities as a student. Thank you Ms. Ricon!!!!!!! I Love You!!!!
—Submitted by a student

My daughter just completed her first year at Killian Oaks Academy and I could not be more pleased. She has made impressive academic and social gains and truly enjoys going to school. The Directors are wonderful, dedicated and loving. I cannot say enough about their commitment to my child and their availability to me. My daughter's teachers were also fantastic. I cannot recommend this school highly enough.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has attended KOA now for the past 2 years. Prior to enrolling him, he was having all kinds of problems in the public school system and was lacking the attention he needed in order to learn. KOA was recommended by some friends who had their daughter attend this school. I take my hat off to Ms. Ricon. She pours in true dedication and love into this school and the education of the students there. I find it to be a true blessing to have my son attend this school. Since he has joined, he has been able to progress back to his correct grade level, and I truely forsee him advancing and acheiving his goal ahead of time. We want to commend KOA and all of their staff on such hard, excellent, and dedicated job they do. I would highly recommend this school for any child with learning disabilities!
—Submitted by a parent