About Us

"Potentia Academy was able to connect our son Patrick to the correct environment for learning and provide a nurturing type of situation where he felt comfortable going to the school. I am absolutely certain he would not be where he is at right now without Potentia. And that's in college at an accredited university in Pennsylvania. He is taking regular courses. He is not in any kind of special program there. He is going to get a degree hopefully next year and I'm quite confident he is going to have a job soon after in a field that he enjoys and will be a productive member of society."

- Patrick J. "Pat" Rooney, Jr., Potentia Academy Board Chair and parent

“My daughter has been attending Potentia Academy since its inception in 2009. She loves to go to school every morning and refers to her friends and teachers as her Potentia Family. The low student-to-teacher ratio allows her to receive specialized instruction geared toward accommodating her disability. My daughter has been both home schooled and attended public school, but the experiential learning environment at Potentia Academy has enabled her to achieve a higher academic level and hone strong social skills more than any other environment. Over the years, she has acquired the academic competence and other tools necessary to live independently. At Potentia Academy my daughter is well-educated, treated with dignity and respect and enabled to achieve her full potential.” 

- L.H., a Potentia parent 

“I just wanted to take some time to say thank you for everything you have done for Josephine. I really don’t know where she would be if you didn’t decide to start Potentia. When you presented Potentia and how you were starting it because you wanted a quality school for your son to go to I didn’t hesitate to enroll Josephine because I knew she would be in good hands. I knew that she would be receiving a good education with people who care. I am forever in gratitude to you and the staff who worked there over the years and embraced, challenged and encouraged Josephine. With all of your help she is able to do things she never thought she could do and now she is motivated to take her education further. I have watched as she amazed herself by doing what she thought she couldn’t do. Potentia will never be forgotten in our home because it has changed all of our lives. Thank you." 

- C.D., a Potentia parent 

“When my son Billy was a little more than a year old, a group of doctors and professionals diagnosed him to be on the spectrum. They went on to say that he may never read, write, add or subtract, play a sport or even drive. I don’t have the words to describe the devastation that moment left us with; so we desperately started looking for answers, prayers, and hope. Potentia Academy was the answer to all our prayers and the hope we were looking for and to say the school is great, doesn’t really describe the impact this school has made on my son’s life.

“Potentia Academy is not a school that teaches. Schools that ‘teach’ do just that; they teach and your student either gets it or they don’t. There’s a difference between a school that teaches and a school where students “learn” and become better students and people. The curriculum is precise and challenges the students to push their limits and overcome barriers and obstacles that will mold them to grow to be better people in life.

“Potentia Academy is not your average school… In fact, it may be the furthest thing from your ordinary school. They are a family, a ‘one on one’ with the students when the student really needs it the most. They are teachers who know their students on a personal level and know-how to address any situation that may arise with personal attention to each individual student. So when my son says to me “Hey dad, I can’t wait till school starts, I miss my friends and my teachers,” tells me we made the right choice because they are family and they care.

“So to those families who are seeking answers to their prayers on how or where to start, Potentia Academy has never disappointed and continues to make strides to better educate their students. Billy has been able to expand his knowledge and improve his education because of the wonderful staff at Potentia Academy. These are staff members who know my son Billy and they either have someone in their lives who is on the spectrum or know how to bring the best out of those who are on it. Oh... and they hold your hand the entire time, you are never alone.” 

- A.M., a Potentia parent 

“My son, Caleb, graduated from Potentia Academy this year.  It has been a great high school experience.  He was challenged academically.  He also learned to be more independent and organized.  The teachers always treated him with respect and encouraged him to do his best.  They gave him the tools he needed to succeed.  Caleb made good friends at Potentia with whom he will continue to keep in touch.  We will miss Potentia very much.  We are grateful for the experiences and education that he received.  I am very proud that he will be attending Palm Beach State College next year.” 

- A.C., parent of a Potentia graduate 

“Our son attended Potentia Academy for many years and it’s the best decision we have ever made. They have a top-notch teaching staff and offered any additional assistance that was needed. Potentia brought out the best in our son who will be attending college in the fall and has made many lasting friendships. He had attended other schools that were supposed to be geared to assist autistic students, but none of these really worked well for our son. Potentia truly takes the needs of each individual student into consideration for all of their classes. Students in their Junior year of high school move into the CCREST program at Potentia Academy. This program is designed to transition students from High School to College or Work-Life. We watched our son blossom into a more confident and self-sufficient young man during the last two years before his graduation. We are very thankful that we found Potentia Academy and highly recommend this school where students truly can meet their potential.” 

- S.M., parent of a Potentia graduate

“One positive thing I experienced…was when I attended the Island Dolphin Care in Key Largo.  It was the ultimate experience for me because I never had the opportunity to swim with dolphins before. It was like a dream come true.”  

- B.M.,  Potentia student enrolled in our CCREST program 

“The CCREST Program has really helped me learn about college and how to be successful there.” 

- M.D. Potentia student enrolled in our CCREST program 

“This school has helped me with my education and I enjoy being here.”  

- A.R., Potentia student 

“This was my first year at Potentia Academy.  I met a lot of new people and I now have a wonderful best friend from school.  The environment for learning is amazing here because nobody is putting you down.” 

- B.T. Potentia student 

“My year at Potentia Academy was awesome because I got to see my friends, teachers, and my favorite principal every day.”  

- H.F. Potentia student 

“I can’t think of anywhere else I would want to go to school.  Potentia Academy is my second family.  I feel like all the students here are my brothers and sisters.  I couldn’t ask for a better school.  I love everyone here” 

- B.L. Potentia student enrolled in our CCREST program 

“I get challenged academically at Potentia Academy.  I have made a lot of great friends here.” 

- J.V., Potentia student