About Hope Creek Academy
Our History
Hope Creek Academy, formerly Just Right Academy, began in 2010 when Marion Houser and Linda McDonough recognized a need for an alternative school setting for their own children and others in their community.
They designed a school for children who need positive reinforcement, more movement, reduced stress, both remediation and challenge, along with a multi-sensory way of learning.
Who We Are
Mission Statement
Hope Creek Academy is a school where neurodivergent students and their families find support socially, emotionally, and academically in order to achieve maximum lifetime success.
Our Students
Who We Serve
Our students often come to us when the traditional school model fails to provide an adequately supportive environment for their social, emotional, and academic needs.
We provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students with a variety of needs. Some of these differences include students with: autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyscalculia, executive functioning challenges, alternative communication needs (AAC), anxiety, and other learning differences.
We currently serve about 70 students in grades K-12, with a low student-to-teacher ratio, so we can provide a high level of support as students grow in independence. Students join us from all over the Triangle (Durham, Raleigh, Chapel Hill, Hillsborough, and Pittsboro).
Our ideal student can function within a group without danger to himself or others. They thrive in a structured environment, with clear expectations, consistency, more movement, and multi-sensory learning, with both remediation and challenge. Within those limits, HCA actively seeks children diverse in race, color, nationality, religion, family structure, and socioeconomic background.
Our Familes
Parent Organization
Hope Creek Academy Parent Organization is an active and essential part of our school community. Parents and guardians are encouraged to share their skills and passions by volunteering at various events and committees throughout the year.
We have committees for fundraising, grant writing, special events, service projects, classroom support, and technology/marketing.
Support
Various parent/guardian seminars and support events are planned during the school year. Previous seminars have included experts from around the Triangle area, including from Duke University and the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, to speak on topics ranging from nervous system regulation to financial planning.
In addition to structured support, you’ll find a welcoming and encouraging community of families that understand where you’re coming from. They’ll share resources and ideas when you need support.
Our Staff
Our Values
The HCA staff are committed to creating and maintaining a safe, respectful environment in which students can learn and grow. Mutual trust, daily rituals, community, and moments of joy are a few essential elements of this environment.
Staff are encouraged to pursue regular continuing education opportunities. They seek out a variety of education and certifications including, but not limited to, TEACCH, Social Thinking, Mindful Schools, trauma-informed care approaches, and reading & literacy programs (such as Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Reading System).
