Opening Doors for Students with Disabilities: The Gray Academy OC
By: Jessica Susolik
For parents of children with severe disabilities, finding the right educational program can be an immense challenge. Standard schools often lack the resources and specialized care required to meet complex medical and therapeutic needs. This was the difficult reality Dana Tompkins faced when searching for a preschool for her son Bennett, who has cerebral palsy and other neurological disorders stemming from a birth injury.
"It was a rude awakening that I couldn't find any school in all of Orange County focused on kids with neurological challenges who were also medically fragile," recalls Dana. Undeterred, her search led her to The Gray Academy in Santa Monica - a pioneering school providing individualized education and supportive therapies under one roof for students with moderate to severe disabilities.
Seeing an unmet need in her own community, Dana joined forces with The Gray Academy founder Kristen Gray to open a second location in Orange County. Less than a year after their initial meeting, The Gray Academy OC opened its doors in Laguna Niguel in 2023, providing life-changing education and care for local families.
"It has been wonderful connecting with so many parents desperate to find a safe and suitable school for their kids," says Dana. The nonprofit school pairs each student with a dedicated one-on-one aide. Therapists specializing in disciplines like physical, occupational, speech, and feeding therapy rotate into classrooms to provide integrated care during the school day.
For students like 6-year-old Kaleb, The Gray Academy OC has been transformative. "It's the only school around that truly understands and meets the unique needs of children like our son," says Kaleb's mom Krystle. "Since he started in the fall, he's happier and the growth in his functional and social skills has been beyond our expectations. We're so thankful for The Gray Academy OC and their wonderful team."
Building such a specialized program from the ground up has required passion, determination, and strong community support. High-profile fundraising events like a holiday concert with David Foster and Katharine McPhee in 2022 and the annual Play for Gray Pickleball Tournament have been vital for raising funds to operate the school.
Demand continues to grow, with plans to enroll more students in the coming year. As The Gray Academy OC becomes established, founder Kristen Gray hopes the journey gets smoother: "When we started in Santa Monica seven years ago, we were up against a city that does not truly recognize the complex needs of moderate to severely disabled children, especially those who are medically fragile. I hope that the learnings I've been able share with Dana will remove some of the hurdles I experienced and that Orange County will prove to readily embrace the new school as the unique asset that it is."
The Gray Academy OC is reshaping possibilities for families in need, providing a nurturing home for students to learn, grow, and thrive. As Dana reflects, "When they get home from their school day, they can just be kids. You can just be mom and dad."
The community can show their support at the 2nd Annual Play for Gray Charity Pickleball Tournament on Sunday, June 2nd, at the Tennis and Pickleball Club in Newport Beach. The tournament welcomes players of all levels to compete across different skill brackets, while those not playing can purchase spectator tickets to cheer on the action. A taco bar, drinks, and a lively social hour round out the fun-filled afternoon dedicated to raising funds for The Gray Academy OC's vital programs and services. The event will also feature an exciting silent auction with opportunities to bid on trips, experiences, and other covetable items.
"The Play for Gray tournament is such a joyful way for our community to come together in support of these incredible children," says Dana. "We're so grateful for all those who continue opening their hearts to our mission."
Through passionate individuals, engaged community partnerships, and events like the upcoming pickleball tournament, The Gray Academy OC continues expanding its reach - ensuring every child has access to a nurturing environment to learn, play, and live life to the fullest.
Please visit the following for more information:
Instagram.com/TheGrayAcademyOC