The area's first private therapeutic day school held a grand opening celebration Wednesday, December 10, 2014.
Camelot of the Quad Cities is in the old Horrace Mann School and serves students with social and emotional disorders, who are referred to Camelot by their schools. Camelot is currently working with Moline-Coal Valley, Eagle Ridge, and Durant. When the school opened on September 10, 2014 there were six students attending, now there are 15. Students from ages 3 to 22 can attend.
On stage for Camelot's ribbon cutting ceremony were politicians, school officials, and 8th grader Keegan Walker.
"I was actually the first middle schooler to ever come here," he said.
Before coming to Camelot, Keegan--who has autism--was attending Wilson Middle School.
"Just some problems in the classroom that have been bothering me, so I needed a safe learning environment," said Walker.
And he says he's getting that at Camelot.
"I'm able to be myself, get the education I deserve, and be able to benefit those in need," said Walker.
The school has a low student to staff ratio.
"We have a one to five ratio, one teacher to five students. After that we have teaching assistant in the room," said principal Debra Singley.
The school focuses on academics, behavior, and therapy.
"Of course we know their behavior affects their academics often times, and along with that, the therapeutic approach helps them overcome the needs that they have," said Singley.
The long term goal is to return students to their home districts.
"So we work with academics and the behavior, we have a status system," said Singley.
By consistently following the school's rules, a student moves up the status ladder and eventually reaches the coveted spot of "Cardinal."
"I'm the only cardinal so far," said Walker.
The school is expecting more students after Christmas break.