In a traditional classroom, learning can often feel like a formality rather than a space to grow. For 8th grader Dalton Jones, a rigid curriculum without having individual instruction made it truly difficult to thrive. “I was always carrying a sheet around, being told what to do and how to be,” he recalls. “I wasn’t getting the support I needed.”

That all changed when he became a Key School Knight in 2022. At Key School and Training Center, Dalton found more than just a new way of learning. He found a community that finally understood his journey. He noticed a huge difference in the way his teachers and peers interacted. “The curriculum is different and [the teachers] take their time. The people are kind and genuine. I can talk to people who understand what I’ve been through–both my teachers and other kids. A lot of people know me here, and it’s nice to be known.”

This sense of being known allowed Dalton to break down the barriers he once used to protect himself. He no longer felt the pressure to fit a specific mold and found the freedom to embrace his unique self. “I can finally show my true self, and it makes me feel happy,” he says.

At the heart of Key School’s welcoming environment is the faculty and staff dedicated to celebrating the individuality of every student. Whether it’s the straightforward kindness of Mrs.

Anderson in the library or the impactful teaching of Mr. Caamanño, Dalton is surrounded by a support system that takes delight in who he is. He sees the school’s greatest strength in its diversity, where being different is something to be celebrated, saying, “we are all different, but that’s what makes us who we are.

Ultimately, Dalton doesn’t only see Key School as a place to receive an education, but a place of belonging. “I call this my second home – my home away from home. The love and support we get here makes everyone feel like a part of the family.”

For other students who feel like they don’t quite fit the traditional mold, Dalton offers a word of hope. “If you have a learning difference or feel like things are going rough, come to Key. The curriculum is different. They take their time and they support you and your family. You’ll find people who are just like you.”