Business Details
Specialized Education for Diverse Learners in Plano
Great Lakes Academy is a non-profit private school dedicated to providing specialized education for students in grades 4-12 with learning differences, ADHD, anxiety, and ASD Level 1. Our approach emphasizes small class sizes, individualized learning plans, and a nurturing environment that fosters academic, social, and emotional growth. With classrooms capped at 10-12 students, our educators deliver personalized instruction through multi-sensory teaching methods and real-world applications. We prioritize holistic development by integrating life skills training, social-emotional learning, and college preparatory academics. Our faculty specializes in addressing executive function deficits, social skills development, and academic skill-building tailored to each student's unique needs.The school cultivates a supportive community where students build self-confidence, organizational abilities, and interpersonal skills. Through structured yet flexible programming, we help students transition successfully to higher education, careers, or traditional school settings. Our mission focuses on recognizing each child's potential while maintaining high academic standards with appropriate accommodations. The Plano, Texas-based institution serves the Dallas Metroplex area and maintains accreditation as a trusted educational provider.
Services
Special Education
College Prep Program
Social Skills Development
Executive Function Coaching
Individualized Learning Plans
Highlights and features
- We maintain classrooms with maximum 12 students for personalized attention
- Our faculty specializes in teaching students with learning differences and ADHD
- We integrate social-emotional learning with college preparatory academics
- Our program addresses executive function deficits and organizational skills
- We provide individualized learning pathways with multi-sensory teaching methods
What people say
Increased self-confidence
Personalized learning approach
Supportive environment
Social skills improvement
Understanding teachers
Services
Special Education
Our special education program serves students with learning differences, ADHD, and ASD Level 1 through individualized instruction. We implement multi-sensory teaching methods and personalized learning plans to address specific needs. The program focuses on academic skill-building while developing organizational strategies and self-advocacy abilities.
College Prep Program
This college preparatory curriculum maintains rigorous academic standards while providing necessary accommodations. Students develop study methodologies, research skills, and critical thinking abilities through interactive instruction. The program emphasizes real-world applications and college readiness for students who thrive in small classroom settings.
Social Skills Development
Our social-emotional learning program addresses conversation skills, personal boundaries, and relationship-building through structured practice. Students learn empathy, conflict resolution, and teamwork in a supportive environment. The curriculum integrates social skills development with daily classroom interactions and extracurricular activities.
Executive Function Coaching
This service focuses on improving time management, task initiation, and organizational skills through personalized coaching. Students learn to develop short- and long-term planning strategies while building self-regulation techniques. The program incorporates practical applications for academic and personal success.
Individualized Learning Plans
Customized learning plans are developed for each student based on psycho-educational evaluations and ongoing assessments. These plans adapt to individual learning styles while maintaining academic standards. The approach combines differentiated instruction with multi-sensory techniques to optimize student engagement and progress.
People
Marjolein J. Borsten
Executive Director
Ms. Borsten leads Great Lakes Academy with over 20 years of experience in special education administration. She focuses on creating inclusive learning environments and developing programs that address diverse student needs while maintaining academic excellence.
Jason Campbell
Director of Curriculum & Instruction
Mr. Campbell oversees academic programming with expertise in differentiated instruction for neurodiverse learners. He develops curriculum that balances college preparatory standards with individualized support strategies for students with learning differences.
Joey Wofford
Director of Admissions
Mrs. Wofford manages admissions and family outreach with a focus on matching student needs with program capabilities. She provides guidance through the enrollment process and supports family-school collaboration for student success.
Beth Monsen
Director of Student Services
Mrs. Monsen coordinates student support services including social-emotional programming and individualized interventions. She works closely with faculty to implement strategies that address executive function deficits and social skills development.
Michael Charles
Educational Diagnostician
Mr. Charles conducts psycho-educational evaluations and develops assessment-based learning plans. His expertise in cognitive and academic skill assessment informs personalized instruction strategies for students with learning differences.
Questions
What grade levels does Great Lakes Academy serve?
We serve students in grades 4 through 12 who benefit from specialized instruction and small class environments.
What learning differences do you accommodate?
We support students with learning differences, ADHD, anxiety, ASD Level 1, and executive function deficits through tailored instruction.
How do you approach social-emotional development?
We integrate social skills training with daily interactions, focusing on communication, empathy, and relationship-building in structured and natural settings.
What is your class size policy?
Classrooms maintain maximum 10 students in grades 4-8 and 12 students in high school for personalized instruction.
Do you offer college preparatory programs?
Yes, we provide college preparatory curriculum with accommodations, including study skills development and academic skill-building for college readiness.
What is the admissions process?
The process includes an inquiry form, classroom visit, evaluation review, and parent conference to determine program fit for each student.
Reviews (5)
Arrmateys
Dec 02, 2021
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Absolutely amazing school. It's a very small, non profit school for grades 3-12 that specifically work with kids who have aspergers, ADD/ADHD, and other learning differences. Everyone who works there is so warm and really cares about your child. The classes are kept very small and tailored to each child.
Emily Gates
Nov 18, 2021
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My daughter learns differently. She needed extra support that a local catholic private school refused to offer. Great Lakes celebrates individual differences and it shows on my now 7th grader's happy face everyday. She is flourishing both academically and socially. The administration is responsive, engaged and very supportive. The teachers get to know each student's strengths and weaknesses well and instruct accordingly. We couldn't be more happy with this school. Thank you Great Lakes!
Melissa Meehan
Jul 30, 2021
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Amazing passionate professional administrators. Teachers are highly-qualified and receive continuous training. Staff meetings are frequent and every teacher and administrators know every single student. Friendly, compassionate and nurturing. College prep academics with additional one on one teacher - student additional tutoring if needed. No student is ever left behind academically. Parents are always informed and renweb/FACTS is incorporated so parents have access to everything their child is doing on a weekly basis.
Jason Coker
Jul 24, 2021
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My nephew is excelling at GLA. The curriculum challenges him and the teachers are hands on. Awesome job GLA!
Helene Harper
Jul 15, 2021
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For our family, the road to Great Lakes was like running on a hamster wheel. We all were exhausted, confused and going nowhere. When you are desperate to help your child and know that they themselves are heavy-burdened and confused as well, we parents are willing to try just about anything. But I'm thrilled to report that this time, this thing,, this place called Great Lakes Academy held the key to unlock the door leading to progress, understanding, support, growth, patience, confidence, parent education, empowerment and finally, A FUTURE for our son. My son has now been a student at GLA for six
