Delaware Christian Academy

"It has been exactly one month since my child was "disenrolled" from DCA. I have gone back and fourth about whether or not I should post this because I know it doesn't change what has happened and won't result in any justice for my son. However, after speaking with a number of professional including the psychologist who dx my son with ASD, the speech pathologist that has been working with him for over a year, and the director of special education at our local school district, and the validation they have provided to us that it was wholly inappropriate that my son was "disenrolled." Additionally, because no one else will, I feel it is my responsibility to advocate for him and warn anyone who is in a similar situation who is looking to enroll their child here. Short version: If your child has any kind of disability I would not recommend this place... they may not tell you this until your child has been enrolled for 8 months and then give a 2 week notice for you to find somewhere else to go... but I will tell you now they cannot "accommodate" your child. The long version (severely condensed because I ran out of characters): My son was enrolled at DCA in January 2023. He was dx with a speech delay in August 2022. We called DCA and they put us on a waitlist. I filled out the initial paperwork and turned it in. Prior to him starting I get a call from Rachel asking me about the disabilities I mentioned in his application. I told her he was dx with a speech delay and that we were on a waiting list for an ASD evaluation. She asked me to clarify why we were getting the evaluation and asked if there were any specific behavioral or safety issues and I assured her there were not. She responded with, "Okay, that should be fine then." He starts in January and for the first week we are checking in with the teacher Miss Amber on how he is adjusting. She doesn't say much more than he had a good day. However, by Friday of the first week I'm having a meeting with the director, Christina, who, to my surprise, informed me that my son was having a "difficult time transitioning." I told her that none of this was either told to my husband or I verbally nor was it documented on the sheet we take home at the end of the day. She said she would make sure Amber was putting down feedback. She asked me if there were things that they could do to help him with the transition. I gave a number of suggestions. Fast forward to February when the speech therapist from HMG went to observe him at school and I was later informed that Amber was complaining that my son was in her class and "can't he go to a special program" that she can't deal with him (nor the other boys in class). I was livid when I heard this and almost pulled him out then. I had another meeting with Christina in which she was immediately defensive of Amber before I could even get a word out. We concluded that meeting that Amber would start keeping a journal about all of the concerns she was having. The concerns consisted of him screaming when he had to come in from outside and taking other kids food at meal times. Eventually these issues were resolved and all of the entries were the same that he "had a good day." He switched to a new class @ 2.5 and the same was the case that mostly he had "good days" with the occasionally difficulty with transitions (again not developmentally inappropriate for a two year old). There was NEVER a safety concern brought to my attention nor was there ever an incident report created. My son was dx with ASD on August 5th. On August 17 I get an email that he is being "disenrolled" for his dx b/c they cannot accommodate his disability and given two weeks notice. No accommodation was being requested as they had been "accommodating" him for 8 months with not safety issues. He should have never been enrolled or Christina should have informed us in February that we needed to find somewhere else to do should he receive the dx b/c she knows it takes at least three months to enroll anywhere. Legally = fine I guess; ethically = highly inappropriate"

"Absolute best of the best!!"

"I went to DCA in '95 and '96 and I loved it. I still remember having so much fun and really enjoyed it."

"My daughter started going to DCA when she was 2. She is almost 5 now. We love the staff and the activities they do with the kids. Clean, friendly and safe environment. I highly recommend DCA!"

"This place has been so great for our two boys. They offer well structured programs, teach manners and my kids look forward to going to school each day. DCA is highly recommended by me!"