In today’s educational landscape, flexibility is often marketed as a major advantage. Flexible schedules, open attendance policies, and customizable days can sound especially appealing to families juggling therapy appointments, work demands, or children with complex needs. Flexibility can  be a powerful tool—but only when it is paired with professional expertise. Flexibility Without Expertise Isn’t Education When flexibility exists without trained, qualified staff, education

Therapies like ABA, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are most effective when they are integrated into a child’s daily learning—not delivered in isolation. True integration requires more than scheduling therapy sessions during the school day. It requires educators who understand how therapeutic goals connect to academic instruction and daily routines. Therapies do not exist in a vacuum. Skills learned in therapy must be generalized across settings, activities, and peop

Not all “schools” operate under the same standards—and that matters. Licensing exists for one reason: accountability. When an educational program is licensed and staffed by qualified professionals, there are clear expectations for how children are taught, supervised, supported, and protected. Oversight means policies must be followed, documentation must be maintained, and concerns must be addressed—not ignored. Accountability also answers an important question: What happens w

Families exploring school choice options often notice an important difference between programs: some can accept education vouchers, and others cannot. This distinction isn’t arbitrary, and it isn’t about favoritism. It exists for one clear reason— student protection through accountability . Anniston Academy is a Category 1 school , which allows us to accept education vouchers. Programs that are not licensed cannot accept these funds, and that restriction exists intentionally

Most parents would never allow an unlicensed therapist to work with their child. We expect speech therapists, occupational therapists, behavior analysts, and counselors to hold proper credentials, complete supervised training, and operate within clear professional standards. We understand—instinctively—that therapy without licensure puts children at risk. Education should be held to the same standard. Yet in today’s educational landscape, parents are increasingly being asked

In recent years, families have been offered more “flexible” educational options than ever before. While flexibility can be a valuable component of a child’s learning experience, it should never come at the expense of professional qualifications—especially for neurodivergent learners. When a child has autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, or other developmental differences, education is not something that can be improvised. It requires expertise, training, and accountability.

As a neurodiverse educator, one of my leading philosophies in the classroom has been to “meet students where they are” academically. Too often, the public school has pushed students further and pushed them earlier, at the cost of developmentally appropriate learning. I want my classroom and my school community to be a place where students want to be; where they feel safe, and where they are eager to learn and feel energized and excited in their learning. At Anniston Academy,

At Anniston Academy, our mission extends far beyond the classroom. We believe education has the power to transform lives — not just for our students, but for the communities we serve. This fall, that mission took on special meaning as Co-Founder Dr. Erin Mekkaoui honored two deeply personal legacies through scholarships established at Tennessee Tech University. In September, Dr. Mekkaoui attended the Tennessee Tech Nursing Scholarship Dinner to award the inaugural Melisa Corn

Dr. Kathryn Ruggiero DuBray and Dr. Erin Mekkaoui were honored to join Kosta Yepifantsev on his podcast Better Together , recorded right here in Cookeville. In this episode, Kosta sat down with the co-founders of Anniston Academy, Cookeville’s first therapeutic microschool designed specifically for neurodivergent learners. “Most schools ask kids to fit the system. You built a system to fit the kids.” That single sentence captures the heart of Anniston Academy’s mission. Kathr

Anniston Academy is a nonprofit, inclusive, and therapeutic school  designed to meet the needs of neurodivergent and typically developing...

We’re thrilled to introduce two very special additions to the Anniston Academy team: Magnolia  and Birdie , our future therapy dogs!...

At Anniston Academy, we believe that every child deserves a learning environment where they are seen, supported, and celebrated. If...

This morning we had the joy of appearing on Good Morning Cookeville  to talk about something incredibly close to our hearts—Anniston...

Tennessee families now have an opportunity to choose the best educational path for their children through the state's new Education...

At Anniston Academy, we’ve always believed that childhood is sacred. It’s a time for wonder, for discovery, for connection—and most of...

At Anniston Academy, we believe that children thrive when their days are filled with purpose, play, and connection. That’s why our daily...

We are honored to be featured in The UC Now  as we prepare to open our doors to the Upper Cumberland community. The article highlights...

At Anniston Academy, we believe that every child deserves access to a nurturing and individualized education. To support this commitment,...

We’re thrilled to share something really special with you—a behind-the-scenes look at Anniston Academy, captured in a recent interview...

If you’re considering Anniston Academy  for your child, now is the time to act! The Individualized Education Account (IEA) Program...