Heading into the new school year is always a mix of emotions — excited, nervous, hopeful, anxious, etc. – all swirling as both teachers and students return to school. The 2025-2026 school year will be my tenth at Quest Kids Academy, where we teach children and teens with autism and other developmental disabilities how to maximize their potential — in the classroom and in life. Each year brings with it the optimism of what’s possible for our children if given the right support and opportunities and to build off of the successes of the previous year.
The 2025-2026 school year is no different as we look ahead to our new state-of-the art education and therapy campus. Quest Kids Academy has awaited a new building for over five years and are thrilled that students, clients and families now have a place to call home. Quest Kids Orlando, in the heart of Downtown Orlando, will be an innovative new campus for Quest Kids Academy and Quest Kids Therapy, and we just cannot wait!
The rate of autism diagnoses is growing at a rapid rate, with 1 in 31 children now affected. As these students transition back into the classroom, a solid game-plan is needed to help each of them maximize their potential for independence. I’ve been in the field of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) since 2008, and have had the opportunity to serve hundreds of students and clients during that time. The one common denominator is that each and every student is unique and on their own individual path toward the future. Yes, we serve students with developmental disabilities, many of whom are on the autism spectrum, but their strengths and weaknesses vary just as much as their personalities. We are tasked with adjusting to each student’s needs in order to help them be successful on an individual level, and maximizing their potential for independence is a critical part of our plan for back-to-school success.
As we return to the classroom, many families and teachers might wonder how the “summer slide” (as the regression in skills that many students experience over the summer is commonly known) might affect students. Some students will be starting new schools, and most will return with new faces on the teaching team. The common thread is that there are a lot of unknowns going into a new year. At Quest Kids Academy, we embrace these unknowns with an open heart and open mind and view them as opportunities for both students and teachers to learn from each other and establish solid routines for success. Our teachers and support team know what it takes to help a students feel and be successful, and we are hard at work to ensure a great year ahead.
While we await the opening of our new campus early in 2026, we will continue to provide a safe, nurturing environment where every student can thrive and become their best self. We can’t wait to welcome our students and their families back to our halls and classrooms. We wish ALL students a fruitful and productive 2025-2026 school year!
Melissa Lopez is the Quest Kids Academy Program Director at Quest, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that has been helping individuals with developmental disabilities experience a full life for over sixty years.
