Please note: Submitting an inquiry, taking a tour, or completing an observation does not guarantee enrollment. All admissions are classroom-specific and depend on multiple factors, including age, present level of performance, support needs, and available space. Due to the high volume of requests, inquiries, tours, and observations are prioritized based on Mainspring Academy’s current classroom openings.
Mainspring Academy welcomes students ages 5–22 with a wide range of learning, emotional, physical, neurological, and developmental disabilities.
The admissions process begins with our Online Inquiry Form, which asks for basic information about your child and allows you to upload recent evaluations such as an IEP and/or psychological report.
Please note that acceptance and classroom placement depend on many factors - age, academic baselines, independence level, social-emotional skills, behaviors, and support needs. To avoid delays, be sure to include all requested contact information and documents when submitting your form.
During your tour, you’ll visit our campus, see classrooms in action, and meet with staff to discuss your child’s current placement, goals, and what you’re looking for in a school. We’ll also review tuition information and answer any questions you may have.
Before your scheduled tour, we require a copy of your child’s IEP. If your child does not have an IEP, you may submit a psychological evaluation and behavior treatment plan instead. A photo ID will be required for all adults attending the tour.
Tours typically last about 30 minutes. Students are not required to attend but are always welcome.
After your visit, our school's BCBA will review the notes taken during your tour discussion, along with any documents you provided. If a classroom opening appears to align with your child’s needs, she will email you an invitation to complete an Application for Student Observation.
When you’re ready to move forward, complete the Application for Student Observation. Our team will contact you within two business days to schedule your child’s visit.
During the observation, our Enrollment Team will spend time with your child in a potential classroom to better understand their skills, behaviors, and support needs. We’ll observe engagement, participation, independence, social-emotional skills, and how they respond to the classroom environment.
To ensure an accurate assessment, parents do not accompany students during observations.
Following the observation, our Enrollment Team evaluates current openings and conducts a comprehensive review of your child’s academic and behavioral history. This includes, but is not limited to:
This review helps us build a full picture of your child’s learning profile and ensure we can meet their individual needs.
Once all steps are complete, Mainspring administration will make a final enrollment decision within 14 business days.
If accepted, families will receive an Enrollment Contract and a $1,000 registration fee will be required to secure placement.
If we determine that Mainspring does not have a classroom that will serve your child's needs at this time, our team will provide guidance and recommendations for alternative placements based on what we’ve learned about your child.
If your child has been accepted, please visit our Parent’s Corner for resources in the meantime.
To avoid delays or risk of losing your child’s spot, please return the completed Enrollment Contract and registration fee by the stated deadline.
Once received, the Enrollment Team will contact you with instructions for completing the official registration process.
In the meantime, you can visit our Parent’s Corner to review the Parent-Student Handbook and other helpful materials.
Mainspring Academy staff receive training in behavior interventions and use a variety of evidence-based strategies in the classroom. However, we do not provide clinical services directly.
Families are welcome to arrange additional therapies (such as ABA, speech, or OT) through private providers using their insurance. These services are optional and not required for all students.
All providers must be approved through Mainspring's application process. Please contact our Operations Coordinator for guidance on this process.
Commonly used agencies include:
ABA Providers
Speech Providers
OT Providers
Complete the Student Inquiry Form to receive a phone call from our Admissions Team to schedule your tour of our campus.
After completing a Tour and Student Observation, the Administration team reviews observation notes and conducts a Document Review. Families typically receive an enrollment decision within 14 business days.
If your child is accepted, you’ll receive an Enrollment Contract to return with a $1,000 registration fee to secure their placement. If we determine that Mainspring may not be the best fit, we’ll provide recommendations for alternative programs based on your child’s needs.
Yes! Mainspring Academy offers rolling admissions based on current openings. If there are no available spots, and your child is accepted as an appropriate fit for our program, they will be placed on a waitlist. Families are contacted as soon as a space becomes available. A child’s enrollment is officially secured once the Enrollment Contract is signed and the enrollment fee is paid.
Mainspring Academy accepts students between the ages of 5 and 22. However, as students grow and make progress, there may be times when a transition is in their best interest. In these cases, Mainspring meets with families to discuss short- or long-term transition plans.
Transitions may be considered when:
A student has mastered the skills needed to move to a more challenging or less restrictive environment.
A student is entering their early adult years and would benefit from a vocational, life-skills, or other transitional program.
Students are placed in classrooms designed to best support their developmental, behavioral, and academic needs. Placement decisions are made based on information gathered during the Observation and Document Review stages of the admissions process.
When determining placement, Mainspring considers factors such as teaching and learning styles, student age, current performance levels, and the availability of socially compatible peers.
Specialized staff
Mainspring Academy is proud to be staffed by highly qualified professionals dedicated to exceptional, individualized education. In 2019, Private School Review ranked Mainspring in the top 20 percent of Florida private schools for the highest percentage of faculty with advanced degrees.
100% of teachers hold degrees in special education or psychology
100% of administrators hold advanced degrees
75% of total staff hold bachelor’s degrees
30% of staff are Registered Behavior Technicians (RBTs)
Certified Ukeru trainers and CPI (Crisis Prevention Institute) trainers onboard (Trauma-informed crisis intervention approaches).
Extended school year
Consistency is key to learning. That’s why Mainspring’s program runs from August to June. Instead of a long summer break, we build in three week-long Intersession breaks in the Fall, Winter, and Spring. Families can enroll their children in Intersession and Extended School Year programs during these times, offering additional opportunities for creativity and structured learning.
Collaborative environment
We believe our students’ success is a team effort. Mainspring fosters collaboration among staff, families, and credentialed third-party therapy providers – including occupational, physical, speech, and behavior- therapists. Together, we set and review student goals throughout the year and during annual Individualized Learning Plan (ILP) meetings.
We also support students when they’re ready for new learning environments. Mainspring partners with other special education programs in the area – some refer students to us to build foundational skills, while others welcome our students when they are ready to transition to a less restrictive environment. Each year, up to 10% of Mainspring students successfully transition into new settings.
Mainspring Academy is an independent educational institution that provides individualized academic programs where children learn and progress at their own pace. We believe students with learning differences can thrive when instruction and curriculum are tailored to their unique needs.
Collaboration is central to our approach – parents, teachers, therapists, and specialists work together continuously to ensure each child’s program is responsive and supportive of their growth.
In most classes, the student-to-teacher ratio is approximately 6:2, with one teacher and one teaching assistant in each classroom. Class sizes are determined by the developmental and instructional needs of the students to ensure individualized attention and support.
Mainspring Academy also permits private therapists to provide push-in services and one-on-one private testing as needed.
Drop-off is permitted between 8:25–8:45am, and classes begin promptly at 8:45am.
Pickup is permitted between 2:15–2:45pm.
The Morning Extended School Day Program runs from 7:30–8:30am, and the Afternoon Program runs from 3:00–5:30pm.
Parents may apply for part-time or full-time Extended School Day options. Applications are distributed in July before the new school year begins. Submission of an application does not guarantee placement, as enrollment is based on factors such as staffing availability, student behavior, and level of independence.
Space is limited after the July pre-selection period; however, parents may request an application for any available spots or to be added to the Extended School Day waitlist.
Mainspring Academy staff are trained in behavior interventions and implement a variety of supportive strategies in the classroom. However, the school does not provide clinical services. Families are welcome to arrange additional therapies through their private insurance.
While not required for all students, outside services are permitted on campus once providers complete Mainspring’s formal application and approval process. Parents must also submit a Permission for In-School Services Form.
Mainspring Academy does not accept insurance for tuition payments. However, most students benefit from the Step Up For Students Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA), which helps cover a portion of tuition costs.
Most of our students benefit from the Step Up For Students Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA) which helps cover a portion of tuition costs.
Mainspring Academy offers a limited number of internal Tuition Hardship Scholarships for families who qualify based on financial need. Priority is given to currently enrolled families, who must reapply each year and provide updated proof-of-income documentation.
After returning families are considered, applications from new families may be reviewed based on the remaining availability of Tuition Hardship funds.
Most Mainspring Academy students benefit from the Step Up For Students Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA), which helps cover a portion of tuition costs. The amount of funding each child receives is determined by Step Up for Students and may depend on factors such as IEP matrix scores, diagnostic evaluations, income, age, residency, and county.
Because funding amounts vary, families often have different out-of-pocket tuition balances after their scholarship is applied.
Please note: An FES eligibility letter stating your child will receive “100% scholarship” means your family qualifies for the maximum funding based on your child’s matrix and funding level. It does not necessarily mean that the scholarship will cover 100% of Mainspring Academy’s tuition.
Mainspring Academy does not provide pick-up or drop-off transportation services. Families are responsible for arranging their own transportation to and from school.
Due to the high number of student dietary restrictions and allergies, Mainspring Academy does not provide student meals. Families are responsible for sending packed lunches and snacks that meet their child’s individual dietary needs.
Parents have many opportunities to be part of the Mainspring community. Each family is required to complete 10 parent participation hours each school year. Our Administrative Team and Parent Action Committee (PAC) regularly recruit community, corporate, and parent volunteers to help with major fundraising events, campaigns, and school activities – and we always welcome new volunteers.
Communication is also key to student success. In addition to ongoing collaboration and ILP meetings, parents are encouraged to stay in touch with teachers by phone or email and may request meetings with their child’s team at any time. At Mainspring Academy, we truly believe that parent involvement is essential to every child’s growth and achievement.
We believe that communication is an integral part of a successful school experience. In addition to parent collaboration and ILP meetings, we encourage parents to communicate with teachers via phone or email. Parents are also always welcome to request a meeting with their child’s team members. We truly believe that parent involvement is fundamental to student success.
Classroom: Primary
Age Range: 5-7
Grade Range: K-2nd
Openings: 1
Classroom: Elementary
Age Range: 7-9
Grade Range: 2nd-5th
Openings: 2
Classroom: Intermediate
Age Range: 12-14
Grade Range: 7th-9th
Openings: 3
Classroom: Life Skills
Age Range: 17-21
Grade Range: 11th-12th
Openings: 2
Classroom: Vocational
Age Range: 17-21
Grade Range: 11th-12th
Openings: 1
The Enrollment Team will do a quick review of the recent IEP and/or Psychological Evaluation you uploaded in your Online Inquiry Form to determine a possible fit for the classroom. If the Team determines a possible fit, you will receive a call within 2-5 business days to schedule your tour.
Tour Scheduling: Beginning September 2025
Tour Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Tour Times: 9:30am-11:30am
The Enrollment Team will do a quick review of the recent IEP and/or Psychological Evaluation you uploaded in your Online Inquiry Form to determine a possible fit for the classroom. If the Team determines a possible fit, you will receive a call within 2-10 business days to schedule your tour.
Tour Scheduling: Beginning October 2025
Tour Days: Mondays and Wednesdays
Tour Times: 9:30am-11:30am
Please submit your inquiry beginning November 2025.
Tour Scheduling:
Beginning November 2025 (Student Observations will then be scheduled beginning January 2026)
Tour Days:
Beginning January 2026: Mondays and Wednesdays
Tour Times:
9:30am-11:30am
