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Students stand outside Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College in Lakeland. The school provides specialized instruction for children with dyslexia. | Courtesy Florida Southern College
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6-minute read
Now celebrating its 15th year, the Lakeland-based Roberts Academy is helping children with dyslexia build reading skills, confidence, and a foundation for long-term success — often in ways that ripple far beyond the classroom.
Dyslexia is a neurological difference that causes difficulty reading for people who otherwise have the ability to be strong readers. It’s typically linked to challenges in processing the sounds of language — which can impact reading, spelling, and writing.
Students and staff at Roberts Academy gather for a group photo on campus. The school, part of Florida Southern College, serves students with dyslexia through specialized instruction and support. | Courtesy Florida Southern College
“Dyslexia is not a reflection of intelligence,” said Dr. Suzanne Lavelle, a psychologist at Lakeland Psychology who specializes in learning disorder evaluations. “You can be extremely bright, even gifted, and still struggle to read because of how your brain processes language.”
At Roberts Academy at Florida Southern College, students with dyslexia receive individualized support that can change the trajectory of their futures.
The scope of dyslexia and why early support matters
A student works on a writing exercise at Roberts Academy, where instruction is tailored to help students with dyslexia build literacy skills through structured, multisensory methods. | Courtesy Florida Southern College
Without early intervention, students can fall behind academically — and lose confidence in the process. “Learning gaps can snowball over time, making it harder for students to catch up and increasing the risk of anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem,” Lavelle said.
This challenge can shape everything from graduation rates to career opportunities.
In a state where most dyslexia support comes through tutoring or general learning difference programs, Roberts Academy stands out as one of the only full-time schools focused exclusively on dyslexia intervention.
“If we can intervene at five or six instead of 12 or 13, we can take away years of unnecessary struggle,” said Dr. Tracey Tedder, executive vice president of academic affairs and provost at Florida Southern College.
A hidden challenge
“It’s a struggle every single day,” said Tedder. Students with dyslexia may:
Avoid reading aloud
Fall behind in multiple subjects
Say “I don’t want to go to school”
Lose confidence early
Students may also guess words instead of reading them, struggle to remember letter sounds, or show uneven performance — doing well in some areas, while falling behind in others, Lavelle said.
For families, the challenge often starts with not knowing where to turn for help. Many are told to “wait and see” — delaying diagnosis and widening learning gaps.
“Barriers to diagnosis can include cost, time, and awareness,” Lavelle said. Evaluations can take several hours and often are not fully covered by insurance, sometimes costing hundreds to more than $1,000.
Some families also delay testing due to fear, stigma, or the belief that a child will “grow out of it,” she said.
Iris Garcia, whose son Fernando attends Roberts Academy, said she had to actively search for specialized support — eventually finding the school after struggling to get her son the help he needed.
Specialized intervention
Roberts Academy serves students in first through eighth grade. They use the Orton-Gillingham approach: a structured, multisensory method designed for dyslexic learners.
Students read together in a classroom at Roberts Academy, where structured, multisensory instruction helps children with dyslexia build literacy skills. | Courtesy Florida Southern College
The model is diagnostic, pinpointing where a student is struggling, while simultaneously tailoring instruction to that student. The school also takes a multi-sensory approach that engages sight, sound, and movement.
Students practice skills in hands-on ways — like tapping out sounds or working through problems on whiteboards.
Garcia said the Orton-Gillingham approach has helped her son. She said he once struggled to read and was afraid to go to school. Now, Garcia said, Fernando doesn’t want to miss a day.
The school’s approach is also shaping future educators. Ashley Boyer, a Florida Southern College senior studying elementary education, is interning in a fifth-grade classroom at Roberts Academy.
“They work with the individual — not everyone is expected to meet the same standard,” Boyer said.
A lightbulb moment
At Robert’s Academy, the transformation can happen quickly. Students achieve academic goals, increase participation, and cultivate self-esteem.
“It’s really about rewiring how the brain connects to language,” said Head of Roberts Academy, Dr. Jill Freedman.
Parents report children are reading signs and billboards for the first time, feel less frustrated at home, and have a renewed interest in school, according to Tedder and Freedman.
“It’s almost like a light turns on,” Freedman said.
In some cases, psychologists say those changes can happen within a single school year once students receive the right support.
A unique resource
Roberts Academy opened in 2010 with 23 students. Today, it serves about 200 students annually and reaches additional families through tutoring and summer programs. Some families have even relocated to Lakeland to access the program from outside the county, state, and country.
“Most communities don’t have a school specifically for children with dyslexia,” Lavelle said. “We’re lucky to have that here in Polk County.”
But access to this kind of specialized education comes at a cost.
For many families, tuition can be a barrier — especially since dyslexia evaluations and additional support services are often not fully covered by insurance.
Still, school leaders say demand continues to grow, reflecting how few full-time dyslexia-specific programs exist in Florida.
The ripple effect: beyond the classroom
Roberts Academy’s impact doesn’t stop with students. Parents and families find a renewed sense of confidence within themselves and the dynamic with their child.
“He fought with me if he had an appointment,” Garcia said. She said now Fernando has grown more confident, learned to read, and enjoys being in the classroom.
Boyer said she’s seen students’ self-esteem grow. They feel empowered to ask questions and seek help over time — a shift she said reflects the school’s supportive, individualized approach.
After going through the program, students transition back into public schools, private schools, or follow other academic pathways. Many go on to graduate high school — and attend college.
Some students who once struggled significantly return to Roberts Academy for follow-up evaluations and are excelling academically, Lavelle said — a turnaround she described as “amazing.”
Garcia’s advice to other parents: Don’t wait. Early testing and support can make a lasting difference.
Insight Polk examines community conditions and solutions in six target areas from UCIndicators.org: economic & employment opportunity, education, housing, food security, transportation & infrastructure, and quality of life.
LkldNow’s Insight Polk independent reporting is made possible by the United Community Indicators Project with funding by GiveWell Community Foundation & United Way of Central Florida. All editorial decisions are made by LkldNow.
Kayla Borg is a Lakeland native and graduate of Western Carolina University, where she earned her degree in English and film production. She began her media career in Atlanta at CNN, quickly rising from production assistant editor to technical director/editor, leading live broadcasts alongside field reporters. Since then, she’s worked in education, instructional design and independent filmmaking.
