The Paragon School

I'm suspicious of these "reviews". They all sound the same with 5 stars and spaced within a couple weeks of each other. I think these are planted by the staff. I'm shocked not one review mentions the price-tag nearly $$19,000.00. No other program in Central Florida costs NEAR that amount and this school is only a few years old. Every extra curriculum program "Club" is an extra cost, as are the field trips. They are housed in a jewish community center that doesn't seem to have enough space for the school. There is no cafeteria, no gym, and no playground. They don't do evaluations or IEP's. They don't take kids with behaviors (Ummm, hello... this is Autism.. KNOWN for behavior issues) and the turnover is ridiculous. Students AND Teachers completely disappear. One day they are there, the next they are never seen or talked about again. This non-profit school is certainly turning a profit off the revolving door of autistic children. In my opinion, it's another "Autism" business looking to profit off desperate families.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my daughter's first year at Paragon, and my husband and I could not be happier with the progress she has made. We started with many behavoir issues and she was well below her grade level.The staff is very professional and promotes a drama-free enviornment. I'm happy to say the behaviors are under control, the school has surpassed my expectations academically and best of all, she is very happy.
--Submitted by a parent

Our child struggled academically and behaviorally in the public school system. The public school he went to did everything they could to help him but, they lacked all the necessary resources as well as having large classes. We also looked at charter schools but, too many were closing. We placed him in this school and immediately he was coming home and telling us he LOVED school! He is learning to be flexible, accept responsibility for his actions and there is no more pulling hair out at homework time. He just comes home and completes it. This school has helped him so much that our quality of family life has improved greatly! We think so highly of this school that we will be starting our other child there in the fall.
--Submitted by a parent

I love this school! I've looked for the best placement for my child ever since kindergarten without much luck. Public schools were only as good as the individual teacher, and many did not have enough training or experience working with autistic kids. The charter school we went to was much better, but did not have as much emphasis on academics as I would have liked. I finally decided to try a private school, and I am so glad I did. This year has been the absolute best year we have ever had at school. I recommend Paragon to anyone in the Orlando area who has a child with Aspergers/high functioning autism.
--Submitted by a parent

My son has been going to Paragon School for 5 yrs now since its inception. I have nothing but praises for the all the staff especially the teachers who believe in our children and their potentials. My son has improved tremendously academically beyond our expectations. While the school focuses on academics, they do not fail to address the behavioral needs of the child too. My son had a problem with accountability and thanks to his teachers and the behavioral analyst, he has improved tremendously. I have to say that it is a mutual effort at school and at home to make it a succcess. I highly recommend this school especially for those with Asperger's syndrome.
--Submitted by a parent

Our son has attended The Paragon School for 3 1/2 years. When we arrived, our son couldn't sit in a classroom, didn't listen and used aggressive language. In just a few short weeks he was sitting at his desk, participating, listening and learning. We no longer deal with his aggressive behavior/language. The school is highly structured and meets the need of each child academically, socially and behaviorally. We had tried private and public school options and utlimately moved our family from Connecticut to Central Florida to attend this school. If you are looking for a school that is focused exclusively on high-functioning Autistic and Asperger's children, The Paragon School is the only one out there. It has saved our son as well as our family. Today he is flourishing and learning. We look forward to family time, we don't dread it anymore. All this is a testament to The Paragon School - great teachers, great adminsitration all making great kids. It's the best!
--Submitted by a parent

Paragon has been a Fantastic Experience for my son. Reading the previous postings, I'm sorry to hear any child had a bad experience - but ours has been nothing even close to this. Our child had strong issues in public school where the teachers tried their best, but were not equipped to handle his needs - nor did they really have the time. Military Discipline?? Hardly.. High Expectations - Absolutely!! And the school EXPECTS the students to CONTROL THEIR OWN ISSUES, and for the most part the kids respond to this can can do so. I appreciate the teachers, staff and principal and other parents and consider all of them part of a larger familty - not just a school, which is a huge difference in my son's life.
--Submitted by a parent

My son goes to Paragon school and I have to say, they have made a life changing difference in his life. ALL of the staff there are caring professionals that create a place where autistic students can learn and in turn, have a more satisfying life. My son's self esteem has never been better. He has been held accountable for his actions and has been more atttentive to learning. He used to avoid a challenge, but the staff there doesn't accept that, they make sure the kids have the support to start from their current level and advance from there. My son has received detentions and some very firm expectations at time, and it has worked wonders. He now has much more appropriate behavior. His emotional level as well as learning has improved in a very short time. We have experienced varying enviornments for our son, from the worst where the school reacted to behavior issues mainly and didn't achieve much academically, to one that tried to focus on academics but did not address the behavioral needs of the child. Paragon has loving, caring professionals that create a high functioning expectation of behavior so that learning can happen and students can reach for their potential.
--Submitted by a parent

This is my second time rating this school. I hope my review goes through this time! This school is basically a military school for children with autism. My Child started this school as a child who loved school and had no behavior problems to a child who came home daily with headaches and tears from being bullied by the staff and having all day detention. (Where I come from that is called a in school supspension). While in detention he was bulled by the staff. When I asked what was going on the response I got from the teacher was "---- knows what he did". When I complained he was asked to leave base on "the staff is AFRAID to work with him". He is now at a new school and back to his happy self loving school again. Sadly he now has to see a psychologist to get over the trama that was allowed to be done to him while being bullied by the staff! This school deserves a score of -1000. Biggest regreat of my life is that I paid them to bullied my child.
--Submitted by a parent