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Opening Fall 2026 in Columbia, SC

A Specialized School for the Special Needs Community

Concentrated boy putting colorful coins in order during developing game with a teacher sitting at the table

About Us

Believe. Belong. Become.

A sweet little girl with Downs Syndrome works with her teacher on the floor of the classroom as they short toys by colour. The two are both dressed comfortably and focused on the task as they work together.

Opa’s Learning Academy is an emerging private school designed to meet the academic and life-skills needs of students with physical and mental disabilities, while providing compassionate guidance and support to their parents and families.

Our mission is to transform the way children with disabilities and special needs receive education by creating an innovative, inclusive, and sensory-accessible learning environment where every student is empowered to thrive. Through individualized academics, integrated therapy services, and compassionate family partnership, we aim to set a new standard for excellence in special education.

Located in downtown Columbia, South Carolina, Opa’s Learning Academy is eliminating the longstanding academic and accessibility challenges facing special needs students and the one-size-fits-all standards system burdening their parents.

Our year-round model meets students where they are with developmentally appropriate classrooms and learning levels tailored to their cognitive, academic, and adaptive skills.

Every student who attends will benefit from individualized instruction and success plans, a lower teacher-to-student ratio, a larger, collaborative team of educators, aids, and therapists, and a welcoming environment that’s safe, sensory-friendly, and encouraging.

Because we believe there is a better way to educate children with disabilities, we’re creating a school just for them —a place where they can truly belong. Because when you feel like you belong, you eliminate barriers to becoming whoever you dream of being.

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    The cost difference between regular and special education students

Our Model

It’s not about what kids can’t do, but what ALL kids can do.

Our model emphasizes the development of academic and life skills by meeting students where they are.

  • Specialized Learning Environment

    Opa’s Learning Academy is a year-round, sensory-friendly private school dedicated to enhancing the academic, social, and emotional development of children with disabilities.

  • Disability Types Served

    We serve learners with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities, communication and language disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorder, physical disabilities, and sensory impairments.

  • Small Class Sizes + In-School Therapy

    Our low teacher-to-student ratio, small class sizes, individualized instruction, and in-school physical, speech, and occupational therapy set our unique learning environment apart.

  • Admissions Criteria

    We enroll students, ages 5+, based on abilities and learning needs, following a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, academic, and adaptive skills, as well as emotional readiness.

  • Learning + Class-Level Placement

    Students join one of four developmentally-based learning levels with peers of similar ages and abilities, where they can achieve their highest potential in reading, math, science, and art.

  • Collaboration + Unexpected Friends Network

    Families, teachers, and therapists collaborate to support students’ academic and life-skills goals, while our Network provides parents and caregivers with resources, classes, and social opportunities.

  • Accreditation

    We will seek accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the National Commission for the Accreditation of Special Education Services (NCASES).

  • Funding

    Our revenue streams continue to evolve and include tuition, special programs & activities, Reimbursable Tax Credits, Medicaid, private donations, grants, and scholarship and savings programs such as ExceptionalSC, Palmetto ABLE, and the SC Education Scholarship Trust Fund.

  • Applying to OLA

    We will open applications in early 2026 to a limited number of students in our charter year, with plans to increase enrollment annually.

If you can’t see the trees, you’ll never see the forest.

Apply Now

Applications for our 2026–27 Pilot Year are now open!

Applicants must be South Carolina residents, ages 5–15, with an intellectual or developmental disability, a communication or language disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, physical disabilities, and/or sensory impairments.

A typical OLA student requires moderate support services and was educated in a self-contained classroom in public school.

We accept applications on a rolling basis and review them as they are received. To help expedite the admissions review process, please have any individualized educational program (IEPs), developmental evaluations, and therapy progress reports or evaluations ready to submit/upload with your application.

After application submission and a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, academic, and adaptive skills, Opa's Learning Academy students will join one of four developmentally based learning levels with peers of similar ages and abilities. We utilize a rolling admissions process and review applications as they are submitted.

Annual tuition for our extended, year-round program is $17,500. OLA is an approved education service provider under the Education Schloarship Trust Fund Program in SC. Families can visit their website to learn more about eligibility and application details. We are committed to making our program accessible to more families and are developing financial assistance options as our nonprofit grows.

Apply Now

Our Story

Unexpected Blessings

The Wells Family sits on their porch

No one expects to give birth to a child with a disability, and when it happens, parents face a multitude of emotions, from shock and grief to fear and uncertainty. The dreams they had for their child and family must transform into new ones.

Virginia and Scott Wells know this situation all too well. They are the parents of three remarkable children–two of whom have special needs.

Their rollercoaster ride of emotions and obstacles over the past 12 years hasn’t been easy, especially when it comes to education.

Despite being surrounded by high-performing schools and talented, caring teachers, the fact remains that public education is not a one-size-fits-all model.

The couple’s growing desire to provide their unexpected blessings and those of other families with exceptional academic and life experiences in a specialized, structured, and supportive environment motivates them to create the change they want to see.

Having children with special needs can be challenging. Getting people to understand can be the hardest part.

Who is Opa?

"Opa" Warner Wells holds Mason

We named our school in honor of the late Warner Wells, a loving father, grandfather, and fierce advocate for his grandson Mason Wells, who was born with cerebral palsy.

Mason taught his Opa, “grandpa” in German, that life can be richly rewarding when you accept and love the people around you, especially those with special needs.

Warner’s open mind, heart, and willingness to accept, adapt, and support his grandson are the foundational spirit of our exceptional school.

Our Campaign

Phase 1

Unexpected Blessings Capital Campaign

Dream with Us

Building a new school with a specialized education model doesn’t happen overnight. So, we’re starting small in an existing building located at 1433 Gregg Street in downtown Columbia (Phase 1), with plans to build a larger school at 2418 Main Street in a few years (Phase 2).

Campaign Goal & Needs

Phase 1 of our Unexpected Blessings Capital Campaign is underway. We’re raising $750,000 to support startup expenses, including renovations, furnishings, special equipment, tools, a sensory room, a gross motor skills gym, and a fully accessible playground, as well as operational costs for educators, therapists, and student scholarships.

Giving Opportunities

Our Unexpected Blessings Capital Campaign offers a range of giving and naming opportunities. We’re seeking donations from individuals, organizations, and foundations that share our vision of an alternative, specialized education for children with disabilities and of compassionate guidance and support for their families. Help us create a school where they can truly belong.

Learn more about how you can support us.

Contact Us

Believe. Belong. Become.

Opa’s Learning Academy is an emerging private school designed to meet the academic and life-skills needs of students with physical and mental disabilities.

1433 Gregg St
Columbia, SC 29201

If you would like more information about how to get involved, donate, or apply, join our mailing list for regular updates.

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