Families Searching for Belonging
Imagine being a parent searching for the right special education school. You look at websites and social media pages, hoping to picture your child there. But what if you don’t see children or staff who look like yours? What if the culture, language, or traditions that shape your family aren’t reflected anywhere?
For many families, this is a reality. In fact, only about 31% of private school students nationwide are students of color (National Center for Education Statistics, 2021). Meanwhile, the average lifetime cost of raising a child with special needs can exceed $2 million (East, 2018). Add on the fact that private school tuition can take up to 25–30% of household income for underrepresented families (Education Data Initiative, 2021), and it’s easy to see why families feel excluded from spaces where their child could thrive.
Why representation makes a difference
Representation isn’t just about pictures in a brochure. It influences:
- Whether a family feels welcome and supported.
- Whether a child learns that differences are celebrated, not hidden.
- Whether communities build empathy and connection across cultures.
At Mainspring Academy, parents often tell us they chose our school because they saw a diverse group of children and families reflected in our community and learning experiences. When parents feel they belong, they lean on each other, whether that’s volunteering, navigating ILP meetings, or simply sharing encouragement during challenges.
What Mainspring is Doing
Mainspring Academy understands that families want their children to see themselves in their community. That’s why we prioritize:
- Diversity in enrollment – 44% of our students come from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, one of the highest percentages among private special education schools in Jacksonville.
- Financial Hardship Scholarships – In 2024–2025, 30% of our students received tuition assistance, helping families overcome cost barriers and ensuring representation across backgrounds.
- Inclusive school and classroom culture – Children in diverse classrooms learn empathy, social skills, and acceptance (NCES, 2021).
- Celebrating differences – Cultural representation in school events and classroom activities (art projects, music classes and celebrations such as Diversity Day, World of Cookies, and Black History Month)
How Families Can Celebrate Diversity at Home
Representation at school grows stronger at home. Here are some ways parents can celebrate diversity and inclusion with their children:
- Explore food together – Try a recipe from your family’s background or explore another culture.
- Share diverse stories – Watch videos and share children’s books featuring characters with different abilities, races, or family structures.
- Celebrate holidays – Add cultural or heritage traditions to your family calendar.
- Music and art – Listen to songs from around the world or create crafts inspired by cultural patterns and symbols. Encourage movement through dance.
- Community connection – Attend a local cultural festival or museum to explore new perspectives.
- Play – Choose dolls, action figures, or playsets that reflect different cultures and abilities.
A Place Where Every Child Belongs
Representation in special education is not superficial … it is inclusion in action. Families who choose schools like Mainspring are choosing a place where:
- Children see themselves reflected in peers and teachers.
- Families can find community and common ground.
- All students thrive in an environment that values diversity.
At Mainspring Academy, we are committed to ensuring that every child, regardless of background or ability, has a place to belong, learn, and succeed.
Because every child deserves to see themselves in their community and know they belong.
Sources
- East, T. (2018, October 1). The cost of raising a special needs child. Consumer Education Services, Inc. https://www.cesisolutions.org/2018/10/cost-of-raising-special-needs-child/
- Education Data Initiative. (2021, December 27). Average cost of private school. https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-private-school#florida
- National Center for Education Statistics. (2021). Private school enrollment. https://nces.ed.gov/programs/coe/indicator/cgc
