Laura Busby

I have struggled for nearly 35 years with dyslexia. I was diagnosed at a young age, but my parents felt I “just needed to work harder” because I was so bright. I managed to graduate from high school with a lot of help and luck. But I dropped out of several colleges because I was just too frustrated to continue.

I have been a student in the Barton System for the past six months. I cannot begin to share how many times I have finished a tutoring lesson and said, “Gee, if only it had been explained this way when I was in school, I might not have struggled so much.”

The confidence I have in my reading ability has grown incredibly.

I recently was required to give a speech to a group of over 400 people. Before starting the Barton System, I would have refused because my reading problems were so severe. Instead, I gave the speech — and received a standing ovation. It made my year.

I’m here to say how much this place changed my life,
and all I can say is thank you.
I can finally be who I want to be.

My name is Michael Warner, and I am the first to fully complete the Barton Reading program at this school.

Before I knew such a program existed, I endured many different types of special education plans and teachings. All, however, failed. After enduring nine years of mental, emotional, and social abuse, I came to House of the Lord Academy.

For the first time, I was not only trying to match my mental capability but to exceed it. I say this with my own choice of words . . . with no help whatsoever.

Although I never thought it was possible, I remember dreaming of the day when it would click and I would get it . . . although it was never coming. Just to give you an idea about how much I have learned from this program, I have in my hand my FCAT scores. For those of you who don’t know, it is the Florida version of the WASL. In reading, I got a one. According to that score, I had the reading level of a third grader. I was in ninth grade when I took this test. Tell me that wasn’t emotionally damaging . . . the reading skill of a third grader. The IQ test told me that in reading and spelling, I was close to mentally retarded.

The public school wouldn’t let me take college prep classes. They tried to control what I learned so I would become a construction worker because they thought I was too stupid to do anything else. Everything around me told me I would never measure up to anything.

Then I came here. This school found out I had dyslexia, and they put me in the Barton Reading program. Halfway through the program, students were clapping in the middle of class because they could see how much I had improved. That shows you the spirit of the students at this school.

After two years here, I finished the Barton System. Since I wanted to become a programmer, I had transfer to Newport High School for the classes I needed. Do you have any idea what if feels like to finally pursue your dreams?

So I went to Newport last fall, and I took the WASL. One try and I passed everything — reading, writing, everything! Some students need three or four tries to pass it, and they take special classes to pass it. I passed it on the first try.

I’m here to say how much this place changed my life, and all I can say is thank you. I can finally be who I want to be.