I'm sharing my experience with Brightmont Academy Scottsdale Campus under the leadership of Sarah…read moreHorton.
As a mom, I truly loved the idea of Brightmont's one-on-one model. My son is extremely intelligent--like many gifted children--and that's exactly why I chose this school. The 1:1 structure has the potential to be an incredible fit for the right student.
My son is 14, bright, funny, and capable. He successfully homeschooled for three years without incident--not by accident, but because I took the time to understand how he learns. I taught him in a way that worked for him, with patience and flexibility. Sometimes we would even switch roles and pretend he was the teacher and I was the student--and honestly, that part came easy because he is incredibly smart.
He wanted to attend school, liked his teachers, and was completing his work.
That's why this experience has been so difficult.
For a child like mine--who needs additional behavioral support and structure--the necessary supports were not meaningfully put in place. Over the course of several months:
* The BCBA conducted only one observation lasting less than two hours
* After that, there were no additional observations for approximately two months
* A Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) was put together based on that limited observation and did not reflect my son's level of need
* No Behavior Intervention Plan (BIP) was ever created or implemented
* An RBT was providing support, but there was no BCBA oversight or supervision at any point
I was never provided behavioral data, no analysis of the function of behaviors, and no tracking to support decisions. There was no communication from the BCBA--not with me, not with the RBT, and not with the teachers. No meetings, no weekly collaboration, nothing.
At one point, Sarah Horton said that Brightmont was a perfect fit for Blake.
Despite that, she removed him from Brightmont with less than three weeks of school left, knowing there was no other placement available for him.
I was actively advocating for appropriate services and support through the district, and she did not stand behind that advocacy. Instead, she sided with the district, and I don't believe that's right.
I also understand that the district (Paradise Valley Unified School District) funds placements like this. However, from my perspective, it felt like those priorities were not aligned with what my child needed. Regardless of how funding works, a child's needs should always come first--especially for a vulnerable student who is trying, engaged, and wanting to learn.
What makes this even harder is that there were options. I offered to have my son's behavioral coach come into the school during those final weeks to support him. She was willing to do so.
That option was denied, and the decision to end his placement was made by Sarah Horton.
Every day, my son's access to water and the bathroom was restricted.
My son is on medication and has a doctor's note requiring unrestricted access to water. The amount he needs varies, and staying hydrated is medically necessary to prevent serious side effects, including migraines and other complications.
My son recorded a conversation, and what I heard was inexcusable. He was denied access to water and left in a room by himself.
It is incomprehensible to me that a child with a documented medical need would have water withheld. Access to water is a basic need, and in this case, it was also a medical requirement.
My son does well with the right support. He works with a behavioral coach at home before and after school and thrives because she is experienced, patient, and speaks with him--not at him--and never shames him.
I wish that Brightmont and Sarah Horton had taken the opportunity to support him, advocate for him, and ensure he was not denied access to FAPE--which ultimately, he was.
If your child needs behavioral support, structure, communication, and advocacy, I strongly encourage you to ask detailed questions before choosing this school.
Sarah, I encourage you--as well as any educator or administrator--to stand behind your students. Stand with caregivers. Stand up to the district when a child needs appropriate services and support.
What you did to my son was harmful. It was psychologically traumatizing.
My child has already survived a national disaster, the loss of his home and our business, and a major life transition relocating to Arizona. This was an opportunity to embrace him, encourage him, build his confidence, and help him re-engage in school.
Instead, you did the opposite--and removed him with less than three weeks left in the school year.
Every child deserves better.
