By: Katrina Salokar | East Lee County News
Peter’s Academy Offers Hope, Help, And A Hands-On Future For Families
In the heart of North Fort Myers, something extraordinary is taking root—a fresh, faith-based approach to autism education that’s transforming lives one student, one family, and one farm chore at a time.
Welcome to Peter’s Academy, a nonprofit Christian school and home education program that blends therapy, agriculture, life skills, and love to create a full-spectrum support system for children with autism and co-morbid disabilities. Open enrollment is now underway at www.petersacademyswfl.com, and for local families seeking not just education but transformation, this may be the answer they’ve been praying for.
A SCHOOL THAT FEELS LIKE HOME
What sets Peter’s Academy apart? For starters, it doesn’t look like a typical school—it’s a real house on a working farm, nestled on three serene acres, filled with over 40 friendly animals with babies coming, and structured like a loving, functional home. The goal: help children learn not just reading and math, but how to live.
“Book work isn’t all they need. We teach kids how to fold laundry, do dishes, care for animals, and grow food,” says founder and educator Rebecca Lemieux, a single mother of autistic twins. “We want to give them independence, dignity, and faith. We’ve recently added safe for all, peer learning for high school age children.”
Each classroom has no more than six students, with a teacher and assistant in every room, creating the kind of one-on-one environment many children on the spectrum need to thrive. The curriculum combines Christian Liberty Press and Accelerate Christian Education materials with experiential learning tools—from kitchen skills to horseback riding and animal husbandry.
MORE THAN A SCHOOL—IT’S A LIFELINE FOR FAMILIES
Peter’s Academy was born from one mother’s struggle to find an educational environment where her nonverbal son, Peter, could be safe, understood, and supported in every area of his life. Today, that same vision is becoming a haven for other families, too.
“There’s so much stress on special needs families,” says Lemieux. “Appointments, therapies, transportation—it’s exhausting. Here, we welcome therapists to come to the school so parents don’t have to shuttle their kids all over town.”
Students can receive speech therapy, occupational therapy, behavioral support, and more right on campus. The school’s flexible calendar is designed with working parents in mind, particularly those navigating life with a single income or multiple children.
PRACTICAL SKILLS, REAL-WORLD OUTCOMES
Peter’s Academy isn’t just about getting through the day—it’s about preparing children for life after school. From running a farm stand at Babcock Ranch to learning water safety, the school equips students with tools to succeed in a world that’s often not built with them in mind.
Why agriculture? “Many kids with autism can’t work in traditional environments,” Lemieux explains. “But they can raise chickens, grow vegetables, and collect eggs. They can sell what they produce through contactless systems, like a farm stand or driveway table, and feel proud of their accomplishments.”
This entrepreneurial approach offers a powerful path forward: self-sufficiency with safety, purpose, and pride.
SCHOLARSHIPS, SUPPORT, AND OPEN ARMS
Peter’s Academy is a certified nonprofit and is currently applying for Florida’s Step Up For Students and AAA Family Empowerment Scholarships, including the Personal Education Plan (PEP). These programs can cover a significant portion of tuition for qualifying families.
And yes, they are now accepting applications anytime.
BUILT ON FAITH, BACKED BY COMMUNITY
This is more than an academic institution—it’s a ministry, powered by compassion, prayer, and a belief that every child is a masterpiece in progress. Lemieux, who also has a background in veterinary care, missionary work, and teaching high school, says her long-term goal is not just to educate students through 12th grade, but to build a replicable model that other communities can adopt, keeping a small school environment where students can thrive.
“We want to change the way society sees children with autism,” she says. “They have gifts. They have value. They just need the right setting to shine.”
And the results so far? Her own son, once completely nonverbal, now answers questions about his name and address with confidence and clarity.
A CALL TO ACTION
If you or someone you know is raising a child with autism and looking for something more—more heart, more help, more hope—visit www.petersacademyswfl.com or call 239-722-9897. You can also find them on Facebook and Instagram: @PetersAcademySchool.
Peter’s Academy is planting something powerful in Southwest Florida for all ages: not just seeds in the soil, but seeds of independence, joy, and transformation—for the children, the parents, and the future. Because every child deserves a place to grow.
