A calling to start a new school

Amy Buhl wanted a Christian-based school that would serve the needs of her 13-year-old autistic son, Nathan.

But during her research, she didn't find many options.

As the West Dundee resident investigated further, she noticed not many Christian schools served children with both minor and major developmental disabilities.

"Some schools do some work on the mild end of the spectrum," she said. "And others do more significant needs."

Buhl and Stacey Borrego of Batavia saw this as a sign.

"We realized there was nothing out there for all special-needs children that wanted a Christian-centered education," Buhl said. "We felt the Lord's calling in our lives was to investigate starting one ourselves."

Proceeds of a garage sale and bake sale at Borrego's Batavia home, 737 Hamilton Way, will start the pair toward making the school a reality. The sale will take place from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

Buhl said they hope to open the school in the fall of 2009. They have not finalized a site for ACCESS Academy but said the location will be somewhere between Batavia and Elgin.

While the sale was originally intended just to raise money, community outreach has turned it into an opportunity to raise awareness.

"I don't think that was initially the plan, but it's turning into that," Buhl said. "A lot of people are pitching in, whether it's donating items or planning on attending the sale."

Buhl hopes to fund the school through tuition and donations.

More fundraisers are planned for the fall, although specifics have not been worked out.

"That's our goal," Borrego said. "We are going to be doing more fundraisers. This is just to start it off and for people to find out more."

Borrego said she thinks the school will open on their predicted timetable.

"The way things are going, I really believe it could happen," Borrego said. "You hear stories all the time of people coming together and making things happen. And the Lord is providing all these doors, offering all of these connections."

Among the connections they have made are therapists and teachers that will be key to the school, she said.

The only way to open on time, however, is for local residents to respond, Buhl said.

"This kind of venture won't succeed without community involvement," she said.

Academy: Women plan for school to open in 2009