In 1997, not many people in the state of Florida knew what a charter school was, including Crisha Murray-Scolaro and Edward Scolaro. Their son Anthony spent the first five years of school in two excellent full-time specific learning disabilities (SLD) classrooms here in the Hillsborough County School District after a rigorous eligibility process. They found the perfect environment for their son to thrive. While visiting the middle school that Anthony was being assigned to, they realized immediately that there would be problems transitioning. Some of the services to which Anthony had grown accustomed were simply not available—there was no full time program to address his needs.

As parents, it was difficult for them to comprehend how their son could need a “full time” service one year and be expected to perform in the same way within the general education classroom with minimal support. Luckily, one of Anthony’s teachers suggested a small, private school that specialized in students with mild to moderate learning disabilities, with a lower student to teacher ratio, and teachers and staff that were ESE certified. Again, the fit was perfect.

Then eighth grade came and they were faced with the same dilemma once more. The school that had been Anthony’s safe haven for middle school did not serve high school aged populations. The Scolaro’s looked at public and private programs, but could not find anything comparable to the three schools they had been so fortunate to find. Their search became exhausting and finally, when things were looking fairly grim Crisha came across an article in the newspaper about the charter school movement. Edward and Crisha began to research charter schools… What were they? How could you find the right one? What would it take to open one?

The Scolaro’s approached Anthony’s current school to find out if they had any interest in expanding to grades 9-12, but were turned down. One evening, Dr. Barry Morris, a professor at the University of South Florida was giving a speech at Anthony’s school on “Diseased Model Teaching”, and the Scolaro’s were amazed at how well Dr. Morris was able to provide such detailed, insightful information about Anthony’s learning profile and needs. Shortly after, they contacted him with the idea of opening a charter high school for students with learning or learning related disabilities. Dr. Morris’ interest was piqued and he became part of the founding team. In 1997, before meeting Dr. Morris, they submitted the first charter application to the Hillsborough County School District and were promptly turned down. There was less than a year to get this job done. With Dr. Morris’ complete revision, the charter was resubmitted and approved.

So here they were, ready to open a school for the 1999-2000 school year with no money, no facility, no staff and two students who desperately needed a miracle. Dr. Morris contacted JoAnn Shaw,

a retired school principal with 30 years experience (who incidentally was patiently waiting for her husband to retire from his Hillsborough County principalship so that they could buy a recreational vehicle and travel the country), and invited her to attend the first board meeting.

Mrs. Shaw sat and listened through several meetings after that and recognized that although the hearts of these two families were in the right place, the board that consisted of Dr. Morris and an assortment of well intended parents (a CPA, an attorney, a banker, a teacher and three business professionals), she realized none of them had a clue as to how to open a school. They were delighted when Mrs. Shaw agreed to be the principal, not only because of her vast experience with the system, but also due to her seemingly inherent knack for dealing with this population of students.

In the whirlwind that was to follow, they needed to find a location and funding (sincethe start up monies would not be available until after the school year began). They rented a small space in a local church and were lucky enough to cross paths in 1999 with Mr. Art Pepin (Philanthropist and Founder of Pepin Distributing Company), and his wife Polly and son Tom.When Art took over the Tampa Bay market, he and Polly made it their personal mission, to not only provide the community with quality customer service, but to join those who have poured their heart and soul into their respective charities. With their generosity and belief in the cause, the Pepin’s supported the board in opening what the board of directors unanimously named Pepin Academy (9th-12th). Pepin Academy eventually branched out into four schools under The Pepin Academies, Inc., encompassing Pepin Academy, Pepin Elementary School, Pepin Middle School and Pepin Transitional School. Pepin offers a complete solution for students of all ages from kindergarten to post-secondary training (18 to 22-years-old).Just recently, the district granted Pepin Academies, Inc. permission to consolidate its four charters into just two (Pepin Academies 3rd-12th and Pepin Transitional 18 to 22-years-old), saving the school thousands of dollars.

Necessity and word-of-mouth (and Mrs. Shaw’s influence) brought a school staff that truly believed in the mission of Pepin Academies. Under Mrs. Shaw’s guidance and vision, Pepin evolved into the perfect high school for our Anthony and many others. Many of the faces have changed and Mrs. Shaw has since retired, only to be replaced by her husband George Shaw, who has since retired (they still have not purchased that RV). With the efforts of a visionary board and the dedication of Tom Pepin and the Pepin family, Pepin Academies purchased and moved to a permanent facility and continue to build steam as an educational option not previously afforded to our community.

Art and Polly Pepin have since passed, but their son Tom and their daughter Pam remain very much involved. Tom and wife Lauren are philanthropic angels to Pepin Academies, opening many doors. Pepin Academies wouldn’t be the model special education center for special needs children it is today without the Pepin family’s support, their spirit of philanthropy and volunteerism stretches all the way from the management at Pepin to the employees and their families.

Along the way Pepin Academies has had the good fortune of gaining committed administrators including, Geri Henry, Celeste Kellar, Monika Perez and Dr. Carolyn Scott(who recently retired as Principal).Pepin Academies now welcomes former ESE teacher, charter school administrator and virtual charter school principal, Dr. Craig Butz, to its staff. Dr. Butz accepted theposition of Principal over the Hillsborough campuses. With a degree in education, master’s degree, and a PhD in special education, the team at Pepin Academies has no doubt, that with his experience, heart and support, he will continue to help Pepin Academies set the bar high in its mission to serve this special population. In August of 2014, we opened a campus in Pasco County with over 200 students, welcoming long time Pepin staff member Celeste Kellar as Principal, who brings in over 30 years of experience in special education, and over a decade of experience running grades and programs at Pepin’s main campus in Tampa.

Crisharemains loyal to the cause in identifying, cultivating and soliciting political and financial support. In 2008 a 501(c)(3) foundation to raise money to support the Pepin Academies was established: The Pepin Academies Support Servicesis a not-for-profit foundation that supports all Pepin Academies in fundraising (EIN #26-1710411). Through the foundation an Annual Gala is held each spring to raise awareness about the school mission, thank the community supporters, while raising the necessary funds needed in order to keep 100% of the federal funding in the classroom— where it belongs.

This story is shared with youbecause, yes, many years ago the charter school movement was new, the concept of opening one was foreign, and a challenge for some determined parents, but the Pepin team would never trade those wonderful early years that were filled with adversities and excitement. The Pepin staff of over 200 employeesisproud of the educational community that they have created. It has taken many great minds (and hearts) to make that dream come to fruition, and those who have been with Pepin from the very beginning feel extremely blessed to be able to work every day with a dedicated teachers and staffwho are so vested and passionate in providing a school whose mission positively affectsso many lives.

“NEVER, NEVER, NEVER GIVE UP”

-Winston Churchill

Mission…

To create a high intensity, low threat therapeutic learning community that celebrates the gifts of every student.

Vision…

To prepare students to meet the academic, social and emotional challenges encountered in everyday life while providing them with the necessary skills to successfully transition to the next grade level and to eventually pursue post secondary options and transition to a rewarding career.

What Makes Us Unique?

  • For over fifteen years now we have successfully developed the gifts of a diverse population who frequently arrive to our doors already discouraged; we are their last hope for academic success. We are a tuition-free, public charter schools and 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporations serving studentselementary age through 12th with specific learning or learning related disabilities, and an IEP (Individualized Education Plan). We are the only school of its kind in Florida offering a standard diploma option, in addition to the special diploma track offered.
  • Multi-Sensory Environment Center helps our students who have sensory disorders.
  • Skills Lab: This lab helps students with their critical thinking skills. The lab incorporates a variety of brain based games, puzzles, and technology to improve higher critical thinking skills, and was designed to engage students in an enjoyable learning experience without realizing they are in a learning environment.
  • Historically, 80% of our high school students graduate with a standard high school diploma and 20% graduate on track for a special diploma.
  • Our students receive occupational therapy and physical therapy as needed by licensed therapists on campus.
  • Because we are a therapeutic center we have a full-time registered nurse, social workers, mental health counselors, and speech & language pathologists on staff during school hours.
  • The AbleTrust, the leader in providing Floridians with disabilities fair employment opportunities, has awarded us several program start up grants, most recently granting us the start-up money for the Transitional School Job-site at the Tampa Police Department and support for the downtown Transitional Classroom at The Law Offices of Julianne M. Holt, Public Defender.
  • Some of our additional achievements include: developing business and job-training partners in the community, which include: TECO Energy, Inc./People’s Gas, The Law Offices of Julianne Holt, Public Defender (which received the Davis Productivity Award sponsored by Florida TaxWatch, The Florida Council off 100, Inc. and the State of Florida for measurably increasing performance and productivity due to the our students training there while enrolled in our Transitional program), Publix Super Markets, Macy’s University Mall, CVS/Pharmacy, Moffitt Cancer and Research Center, Tampa Police Department, Hillsborough County Offices and John Germany Public Library.
  • In 2008, we received a dissemination grant from the Florida Department of Education, with the purpose of developing partnerships with other Florida Charter Schools. This innovative approach to provided over 25 charter schools of Florida with the most comprehensive Exceptional Student Education training and support. The primary objective of the initiative was to empower charter schools by informing them of current trends, issues and laws to ensure that receive the information in a proper and efficient manner.
  • Florida TaxWatch celebrated the Pepin Academies as one of the 30 great things about education today in Florida.
  • Pepin Academies is one of the 31 internationally known All Kinds of Minds’ Schools of Distinction. All Kinds of Minds is a neuroscience-based approach help more students succeed in school. (All Kinds of Minds delivers high-quality professional development for educators and advocates for learning-focused education policies and reform efforts to help transform schools and school systems to better meet the needs of all students.)
  • In April of 2010 we received an important recognition few schools ever received, The Pepin Academies was honored for its excellence and recognized on the House and Senate floor in Tallahassee, Florida. We received a House Tribute and a Senate Resolution.
  • In 2012 we opened a satellite campus in Riverview serving 3rd through 8th graders, expanding to serve high school in 2015.
  • Spring of 2013 we received a resolution by the Board of County Commissioners of Pasco County, Florida supporting the Pepin Academies, inc., in our desire to open an additional special needs charter school located in Pasco County to further assist those students who will benefit from this type of educational experience offered. The campus is opened August 18, 2014 in New Port Richey under the leadership of Celeste Kellar, who has over ten years’ experience at Pepin Academies.

To all of our friends, board members, donors, families and staff… Thank you for committing to develop the gifts of a diverse population of students. Thank you for believing that all students learn differently, and should be given the opportunity to excel.We are a family, believing that the students can discover their own gifts in academics, sports, music, art, technology, drama, and team building. With our help, guidance and support they will succeed.