I have struggled for nearly 35 years with dyslexia. I was diagnosed at a young age, but my parents felt I “just needed to work harder” because I was so bright. I managed to graduate from high school with a lot of help and luck. But I dropped out of several colleges because I was just too frustrated to continue.

I have been a student in the Barton System for the past six months. I cannot begin to share how many times I have finished a tutoring lesson and said, “Gee, if only it had been explained this way when I was in school, I might not have struggled so much.”

The confidence I have in my reading ability has grown incredibly.

I recently was required to give a speech to a group of over 400 people. Before starting the Barton System, I would have refused because my reading problems were so severe. Instead, I gave the speech — and received a standing ovation. It made my year.

My son is 11 and for years we were given the … “lazy,” “he will never learn,” or “he is just fine” conversation. Well WRONG on all accounts. He most certainly was not fine, and in no way was he lazy. He had so many signs of dyslexia was ridiculous.

We took it upon ourselves to find a specialist. The Barton System has changed my son’s life!

Amazing program. I cannot say it enough. Best money we ever spent!

I’m here to say how much this place changed my life,
and all I can say is thank you.
I can finally be who I want to be.

My name is Michael Warner, and I am the first to fully complete the Barton Reading program at this school.

Before I knew such a program existed, I endured many different types of special education plans and teachings. All, however, failed. After enduring nine years of mental, emotional, and social abuse, I came to House of the Lord Academy.

For the first time, I was not only trying to match my mental capability but to exceed it. I say this with my own choice of words . . . with no help whatsoever.

Although I never thought it was possible, I remember dreaming of the day when it would click and I would get it . . . although it was never coming. Just to give you an idea about how much I have learned from this program, I have in my hand my FCAT scores. For those of you who don’t know, it is the Florida version of the WASL. In reading, I got a one. According to that score, I had the reading level of a third grader. I was in ninth grade when I took this test. Tell me that wasn’t emotionally damaging . . . the reading skill of a third grader. The IQ test told me that in reading and spelling, I was close to mentally retarded.

The public school wouldn’t let me take college prep classes. They tried to control what I learned so I would become a construction worker because they thought I was too stupid to do anything else. Everything around me told me I would never measure up to anything.

Then I came here. This school found out I had dyslexia, and they put me in the Barton Reading program. Halfway through the program, students were clapping in the middle of class because they could see how much I had improved. That shows you the spirit of the students at this school.

After two years here, I finished the Barton System. Since I wanted to become a programmer, I had transfer to Newport High School for the classes I needed. Do you have any idea what if feels like to finally pursue your dreams?

So I went to Newport last fall, and I took the WASL. One try and I passed everything — reading, writing, everything! Some students need three or four tries to pass it, and they take special classes to pass it. I passed it on the first try.

I’m here to say how much this place changed my life, and all I can say is thank you. I can finally be who I want to be.