Terese, Blake and I visited Beacon College in the center of historic Leesburg, Florida on 2-2-09. Beacon is the only 4-year college in the U.S. that specializes in students with learning disabilities. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of colleges and universities that have either a self-directed LD program (you’re pretty much on your own once you prove you are entitled to accommodations) or a separate dept within the university dedicated to LD students (the school has a f/t director and staff to direct LD students which is much better…GMU I believe is the only school in Va that has such a program). There are also a few 2-year community colleges that specialize in LD students.
Beacon is located in Leesburg which is in central Fla, about 30-40 miles west of Orlando. We were visiting IMG Baseball Academy in Bradenton, Fla for Croix so we drove from Bradenton to Leesburg which was about 2 hrs. Leesburg is surrounded by lots of lakes, so fishing and boating are big down there. Leesburg is a cool little town with much more charm, ambiance and vibrance than we expected. The relationship between the town and Beacon students seemed to be very good. Lots of students and town-folks walking around, hanging out in shops, restaurants (several that TC and I thought looked great), fitness center(not owned by Beacon but lots of students belong), and huge public library (Beacon has their own smaller library on campus). They plan to open a new student union (pub-like place with no alcohol) by the fall of 2009.
Beacon reminded all of us of GWCS. About 110 students and they expect around 120 next year. The average class size is around 10 students per class. The ones we saw had less than 10 students in them. It’s a liberal arts school with a strong IT program which offered many business courses. Blake talked to several students who were all very happy at Beacon. He swears he recognized someone from GW in one of the student photos. The students, professors and administrators all provided an extremely friendly and inviting atmosphere at Beacon. We didn’t expect this since it was a dreary, rainy and cold day. As you might expect the campus was small. The administration bldg (an old historic house…pretty nice); a half block away is the building where classes and the library are (very nice old bldg that use to be the bank); next door is where the labs, photography and art classes are held; the new student union bldg is next door; the cafeteria, you guessed it, is a cool older home across the street from the admin bldg that has been renovated into an inviting family-type dining setting with lots of offices upstairs for f/t counseling staff. They serve 3 meals a day, M-F, and students eat in their apts on wkends. Student Housing is located in 2 large NEW very nice apt complexes located 2 blocks from Main St., where the classes are held. The apt units are as nice as we have ever seen for college students. Many students are involved in a multitude of activities sponsored by a very active SBA, the school or the town. We liked it.
Filed under: Beacon College
