Bay Area school offering special needs students the attention they deserve celebrates 25th anniversary

Pepin Academies is marking its 25th anniversary this year.  

A Pepin Academy student receiving individualized support.

A Pepin Academy student receiving individualized support.

The nonprofit, independent charter school empowers students with learning disabilities. This remarkable institution and the people who make it thrive are "What's Right With Tampa Bay."

About Pepin Academies

The backstory:

With three campuses and more than 1,000 students, Pepin Academies has grown into a lifeline for families who want specialized education for their children with learning disabilities. 

Pepin Academy students receiving educational support in a small group.

Pepin Academy students receive educational support in a small group.

"Our teachers and the services that we provide to our students, our teachers, are experts in their field of special education," said Jennifer Messerschmitt, the Principal of Pepin Academies.

Pepin Academies’ Origins

Dig deeper:

Founded in 1999, the school is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Its success is written in the stories of its dedicated staff and students. 

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"The earlier you get a kid into a better educational environment or different educational environment, the better chance they are to have the success that we've shown over the last 25 years," said Dr. Jeff Skowronk, the Executive Director of the Pepin Academies. 

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Photo of previous Pepin Academy students as the school celebrates its 25th anniversary.

Impact on families and students

Amy Hering is Messerschmitt’s secretary at Pepin Academies. Her connection to the school is deeply personal. 

Her son, Asher, is a student there.

Asher Messerschmitt.

Photo of Asher Hering.

"He was invited to his first birthday party," said Hering. "He had his own birthday party, and kids came. He is accepted and no one questions anything about him, which is completely different than any other school." 

About Pepin’s leadership

The heart of Pepin Academies lies in its leadership. 

Skowronk has been the executive director for six years, overseeing a transformative period of growth for the school.

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"The goal is to take all those students and focus on those learning disabilities and those unique skill sets that they have and help bring out the potential that all students with learning disabilities have and help them achieve the highest level possible," Skowronk said. 

Pepin Academies' leadership team.

Pepin Academies' leadership team.

Monica Perez, the school’s Chief Operating Officer, has been with Pepin Academies for 20 years. She says the school’s success is rooted in its mission. 

"They know that it's a place where people are going to put them first," said Perez. " The number one goal is for them to be happy, healthy, and successful." 

Pepin Academies offers more than academics. Its holistic approach includes life skills training, vocational programs, and individualized support, ensuring every student has the tools they need for the future. 

Pepin Academy students learning life skills.

Pepin Academy students learning life skills.

"Everyone's different," said Perez. "And I think we really try to cater to what those individual needs are. It's not cookie cutter." 

Supporting future generations

What's next:

As the school celebrates 25 years, its impact on the community is undeniable. This is evidenced by its growth from humble beginnings to three thriving campuses in the Bay Area. 

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"All of the students that have graduated and all the students that are now gainfully employed and productive members of society, rather than sitting on a couch somewhere or rather than not having any direction in our community," Skowronk said. 

Pepin Academies' 2010 Graduating Class.

Pepin Academies' 2010 Graduating Class.

A legacy of learning, inclusion, and empowerment, Pepin Academies proves that, with the right support, every student can achieve greatness. 

Congratulations to the entire Pepin community on this incredible milestone and for showing how the power of education can change lives. 

For more information on Pepin Academies, click here.

The Source: FOX 13’s Mark Wilson collected the information in this story.

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