Meet Tate, a sixth grader at Roberts Academy who is easygoing, funny, intelligent, and full of curiosity. He loves science and math and enjoys outdoor activities like archery, fishing, swimming, bike riding, soccer, and running cross country.
Today, thanks to the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program and Roberts Academy, Tate is thriving both in and out of the classroom.
But his educational journey hasn’t always been easy.
Although Tate loves school now, that wasn’t always the case. His mom, Shelby Koehle, said that the struggle began as early as kindergarten when he had difficulty learning letters and sounds. After COVID cut the school year short, Tate entered second grade significantly behind his peers, and he was painfully aware of his deficits.
“His self-esteem plummeted. His love for learning was gone, and every day at school was a never-ending struggle,” Koehle said.By third grade, Tate was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder, dysgraphia, and dyslexia. His family knew he needed more than what a traditional school could offer. That’s when they discovered Roberts Academy.
Related: The Early Signs of Dyslexia
From their first meeting with Roberts Academy’s Head of School, Joy Wood, and the staff, Tate’s family felt a sense of hope.
“Roberts Academy hasn’t just made a difference. It has completely changed our lives,” Koehle said. “The school has returned to me a side of Tate I had accepted I would never see again. He has joy. He is truly happy again. His smile is full, not faked or forced!”
Academically, Tate has flourished. He no longer panics when asked to write, and he genuinely enjoys reading. Even more powerful are the moments when Tate feels safe to be himself.
One day in class, after misreading a word aloud, Tate braced for embarrassment. Instead, a classmate leaned over and said, “I definitely would have butchered that word too!” Tate came home beaming: “Mom, I feel safe to make mistakes!”
“That was the first moment I knew this was the right fit for him,” his mom said.
Like many families, Tate’s parents wondered how they would afford tuition at a specialized school. They had never heard of the Georgia GOAL Scholarship until Roberts Academy encouraged them to apply for financial aid.
“The GOAL Scholarship was an answered prayer for our family,” Tate’s mom said. “It means that Tate can receive an education specialized to his needs, in a small class size, with teachers who are highly qualified.”
Without the GOAL Scholarship, Roberts Academy may not have been possible for Tate.
”The scholarship not only made Roberts Academy accessible but also allowed Tate to participate in extracurricular activities that helped him discover his strengths.”
Tate has participated in the Academy’s cooking and coding clubs, has had access to unique enrichment opportunities through Mercer University, and participated in a workshop with the Otis Redding Center for the Arts.
Related: Student Art Showcased at Plunkett Gallery
Georgia GOAL is a state-approved Student Scholarship Organization that allows Georgia taxpayers to redirect a portion of their state income tax to help fund scholarships for students to attend independent schools.
Through this program, taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar state income tax credit while providing children across Georgia with greater access to educational opportunities that best fit their learning needs.
Georgia GOAL Tax Credit Applications are due Dec. 31. Become a contributor today!
For Tate’s family, the impact goes beyond academics. “As parents, we always believed in Tate. Roberts Academy helped him believe in himself. They slowly helped Tate see his disability not as a limitation, but as a strength. Roberts Academy gave us hope. The sky is the limit for him,” Koehle said.
She describes the GOAL Scholarship as the catalyst that made this transformation possible. “The GOAL Scholarship closes the gap financially for many RA families as the staff closes the gaps academically for these students,” she said.
Koehle had this message of gratitude to share with Georgia GOAL contributors:
“Our family is truly honored to be a recipient of this scholarship. Your generosity has empowered, inspired, and provided Tate with the opportunity to pursue his goals. This award is more than financial support; it is a reminder that others believe in children like Tate and his future. Thank you for investing in his journey. I know he is excited, hopeful, and motivated to make the most of this opportunity.”
Roberts Academy is Georgia’s only school for dyslexic students outside of Metro Atlanta; it’s also the most affordable school of its kind in the state.Serving students in grades 2-6, the Academy uses the Orton-Gillingham Approach – an evidence-based way of teaching designed specifically for students with dyslexia.
Discover Roberts Academy at Mercer University in Macon, Georgia!