Easterseals Arkansas Breaks Ground For New Academy

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – A monumental groundbreaking was held on Wednesday for Easterseals Arkansas.

Students, families, staff and state leaders gathered together - with shovels in hand - to officially kick off the construction of a brand-new K through 12 academy.

The $10 million expansion and renovation are funded in large part by the state’s restricted reserve fund, which was a contribution facilitated by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders who was also in attendance.

“I’m proud that the Education Freedom Accounts created by LEARNS, along with a financial contribution from the state, are helping Easterseals Academy grow and put more students on a path to success than ever before,” Sanders said.

Easterseals Arkansas CEO Ron Ekstrand said It will unite two different locations, creating an academy that will accommodate up to 225 kids with special needs.

“We have 75 kids who we are currently serving but we have a waitlist,” Ekstrand said. “There are families who want to be able to attend the academy. Today's funding and groundbreaking will allow them to do that this next Fall...not this coming Fall but the Fall of 2025."

The new space includes five extra classrooms, therapy rooms and a playground.

The new academy is expected to be completed by August of next year.