Business Details
16 Years
experience
Supportive Learning for Neurodivergent Students in Durham
Hope Creek Academy was founded in 2010 by Marion Houser and Linda McDonough to address the educational needs of neurodivergent students. Our mission centers on providing a structured, multi-sensory learning environment that emphasizes positive reinforcement, movement, and individualized instruction. With a low student-to-teacher ratio, we serve approximately 70 students in grades K-12 from diverse backgrounds across the Triangle region, including Durham, Raleigh, and Chapel Hill. Our curriculum integrates academic subjects with social-emotional development, daily movement breaks, and personalized support in reading, math, and language arts. Staff members hold specialized certifications in areas such as TEACCH, Social Thinking, and trauma-informed care, ensuring expertise in addressing neurodivergent learners' unique needs.We maintain a non-discriminatory policy and actively foster inclusivity across race, religion, and socioeconomic status. Parent involvement through volunteer committees and educational seminars strengthens our community. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we rely on donations and partnerships to expand access to our programs, including plans for a new playground facility. Our approach reflects decades of combined experience in special education, grounded in principles of trust, consistency, and holistic child development.
Services
Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Reading Program
Supported Learning
Independence Academy
Details
- Year established: 2010
Highlights and features
- We specialize in multi-sensory education for neurodivergent students since 2010
- Our low student-to-teacher ratio ensures personalized academic support
- Certified staff trained in TEACCH, Social Thinking, and trauma-informed care
- Daily movement breaks integrated with academic instruction
- Active parent organization providing community and educational resources
Services
Elementary Education
Our elementary program (K-5th grade) provides structured, multi-sensory instruction with two teachers per classroom supporting approximately 12 students. Individualized tutoring in reading, math, and language arts complements unit-based science and social studies. Social-emotional skills development occurs through direct instruction and integrated activities, while elective options in art, technology, and practical skills foster holistic growth.
Secondary Education
Middle school (6th-8th) and high school (9th-12th) programs maintain small class sizes with personalized academic support. Curriculum emphasizes college and career readiness while addressing executive functioning challenges. Students receive specialized instruction in history, language arts, and STEM subjects, combined with social skills training and movement-based learning to support neurodivergent learners' unique needs.
Reading Program
Specialized reading instruction utilizes evidence-based methodologies like Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading System. Certified specialists provide one-on-one and small-group tutoring tailored to individual learning styles, addressing dyslexia and other reading challenges through multi-sensory techniques that improve phonemic awareness, decoding, and comprehension skills.
Supported Learning
This program (3rd-8th grades) combines academic instruction with intensive social-emotional support. Students receive individualized learning plans addressing remediation and challenge needs, with a focus on developing self-regulation strategies, executive functioning skills, and peer relationships through structured activities and trauma-informed teaching practices.
Independence Academy
Our vocational high school program prepares students for post-secondary independence through career exploration, job skills training, and community service opportunities. Curriculum integrates practical life skills with academic instruction, emphasizing transition planning and real-world experiences to support neurodivergent students' successful entry into the workforce or further education.
People
Marion Houser
Director
Co-founder with 14 years of experience in special education, Marion established Hope Creek Academy in 2010 to create a supportive learning environment for neurodivergent students. She leads school operations and strategic direction.
Linda McDonough
High School Teacher
Co-founder and English/history instructor with expertise in dyslexia education. A former Orton-Gillingham tutor and private school department chair, Linda brings 40+ years of teaching experience to Hope Creek Academy's high school program.
Anna Lee Warasila
Primary Teacher
Special education teacher with a UNC Asheville psychology degree and specialized training in high-incidence disabilities. She creates nurturing classroom environments that balance academic instruction with emotional support for early elementary students.
Marni Wizwer
Primary Teacher
Special education teacher with 18 years in public schools, Marni brings expertise in individualized instruction and classroom management strategies. She focuses on building foundational academic skills while fostering social-emotional growth in young learners.
LaRhonda Leslie
Upper Elementary Teacher
Upper elementary instructor with a masters in education and decade of experience teaching neurodivergent students. She specializes in creating structured learning environments that promote independence and academic confidence in grades 3-6.
Questions
What grades does Hope Creek Academy serve?
We serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade in our Durham-based program.
What learning differences do you support?
We support students with autism, ADHD, dyslexia, executive functioning challenges, anxiety, and other learning differences.
Is before/after school care available?
Yes, we offer extended care options from 8:55am-3:00pm daily for working families.
How do you approach social-emotional development?
We integrate social skills training throughout our curriculum with daily movement breaks and community-building activities.
What is your student-to-teacher ratio?
We maintain a low student-to-teacher ratio with two teachers per classroom of approximately 12 students.
Do you offer parent involvement opportunities?
Yes, our active parent organization includes committees for fundraising, events, and educational support.
Reviews (3)
Serena Manning
Jun 27, 2020
Report
Wonderful school that uses research-based methods of teaching. They go the extra mile to meet student's unique needs.
Abigail Sheriff
Jan 15, 2018
Report
We can't say enough good things about Hope Creek. They were a last resort for our family, and despite a really rocky start, they haven't given up on our kid. They will make every accommodation possible to keep your kid in school, and doing their best work academically and socially. I truly don't know what our family would do without them.
Sam Reingruber
Jun 10, 2017
Report
It's an excellent school. Teachers who know when to have their voice be gentle or serious, and the school itself is lax, but not to the point where they'd let you fall behind. They have all kinds of amenities for any child with issues who can't go to a regular school. The most prominent of these is the calm and return room. If a child is disrupting their class, they go to an empty room to calm them down. It's a very small school with about 60 kids, ranging from K-12. If you do well and don't act up, you can do an activity of your choice, for example: cards, Legos, crafts (which can be drawing or
