Welcome to Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope)
Our vision is to create a Christ-centered environment of learning and development for students with unique abilities. Distinct Abilities Learning offers a unique approach to teaching students with various learning needs academically, cognitively, and spiritually. Classes provide a small student-to-teacher ratio in order to promote student achievement.
Exclusive Program Offerings
Distinct Abilities Learning K-12 Program
Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) K-12 Program serves students who are on grade level or performing no more than two years below grade level academically. The K-12 Program is academically led and behaviorally supported.
Distinct Abilities Learning Strategic Education (SE) K-12 Program
Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) Strategic Education K-12 Program serves students who are three or more years below grade level. The SE Program is behaviorally led and academically supported, providing students with support for social and life skills.
Looking to enroll? Check out our Distinct Abilities Learning Admissions page for details on how to get started!
- Christian Education
- Student Academic Plans
- Job Skills Training
- Social Skills Training
- Elective Opportunities
- Annual Milestone Field Trips, Festivals, Performances, and Luncheons
- Research-Based Curriculum
- Physical Education
- Small Class Sizes
- Individualized Growth Plans
- Occupational & Speech Therapist *Offered on campus through Hand Led Therapy. *ABA Therapy is offered on campus through Yount Psychological Services
- Chapel
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Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) offers programs for students with unique abilities from Kindergarten through Grade 12, read on to learn about the various programs.
Distinct Abilities Learning Programs
K-12 Program
Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) K-12 Program serves students who are on grade level or performing no more than two years below grade level academically. The K-12 Program is academically led and behaviorally supported. Students receive researched based interventions in core academic areas, as well as student academic plans, providing classroom accommodations. Graduating students are eligible for a diploma and a Distinct Abilities Learning transcript.
- K-12 Grade Level Appropriate Curriculum
- Small Class Sizes
- Therapies Offered
- Reading and Math Intervention Programs
- Elective Opportunities Including: Physical Education, Art, Life Skills, Weight Lifting, Theatre and Work Program Classes
- Annual Milestone Field Trips, Festivals, Performances, and Luncheons
- Christian Teaching & Biblical Worldview Immersion
- Chapel
Strategic Education (SE) K-5 Program
Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) Strategic Education K-5 Program serves students who are three or more years below grade level. The SE Program is behaviorally led and academically supported, providing students with support for social and life skills. Students will receive researched based interventions in core content areas, student academic plans, and behavioral intervention plans. Graduating students are eligible for a diploma and a Distinct Abilities Learning transcript.
- K-12 Modified Curriculum
- Small Class Sizes
- Therapies Offered
- Reading and Math Intervention Programs
- Behavioral Interventions
- Elective Opportunities Including: Physical Education, Art, Life Skill Classes
- Annual Milestone Field Trips, Festivals, Performances, and Luncheons
- Christian Teaching & Biblical Worldview Immersion
- Chapel
Scholarships
Distinct Abilities Learning (formerly The First Hope) accepts the Step Up For Students Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students With Unique Abilities (Formerly the Gardiner Scholarship).