Located in Port St. Joe, Florida, Eagle Nest Christian Academy is an extraordinary school led by Mr. Doug Boucher. As a ministry of Eagle Nest International Ministries, Inc., this Christian school is unique because over 70% of its students have a learning disability. Students at Eagle Nest have been diagnosed with ADD, ADHD, and dyslexia, as well as Down Syndrome and Asperger's Disease.

In normal school environments, students with learning disabilities often struggle and are taken out and segregated. At Eagle Nest, the students are kept together, benefiting all the students.

"We stick them in right where they're supposed to be using the diagnostic test," said Mr. Boucher, "and we teach them just like any other student."

Since many of the students have attention problems, Alpha Omega Publications' Switched-On Schoolhouse® complements the students' learning because games and interaction are built right in to the curriculum. For example, one 10th grade girl started at Eagle Nest with a 5th grade reading level. To help her, they used Switched-On Schoolhouse, as well as a reading program, and she graduated on time as the school's salutatorian. She also received a full scholarship to Chipola College in Marianna, Florida. The past two years, Eagle Nest has graduated ten students each year. Of those 20 students, 18 are college bound, one works for his father, and one is in the military.

This school, like so many other AOP schools, has its financial struggles. Most of the school's students qualify for McKay Scholarships for students with disabilities; however, those scholarships don't cover all the costs and tuition. In addition, the town of Port St. Joe went through some hardships recently due to the closing of a large paper mill. As a result, the school's teachers were not paid from December to February. Thankfully, the school is blessed to have a staff that stuck together through this time, and the teachers know that God wants them to be at Eagle Nest.

It is such a blessing for us at Alpha Omega Publications to work with Eagle Nest Christian Academy to change students' lives for the glory of God. Eagle Nest definitely has a dedicated Christian staff, and AOP is looking forward to see how God will continue to work through this Christian school.