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East Valley school for foster children breaks ground on new building

Started by three foster parents in 2020, Shade Tree Academy will be able to serve 100 children in their new building.

MESA, Ariz. — Three East Valley foster parents started a school for kids just like their own in 2020. The private school for children impacted by foster care has enough space for 10 students who learn in a converted Masonic Lodge.

But thanks to a $4 million donation, they may be able to welcome 100 students soon.

“We saw a need and knew that these children need more support than what was currently being offered," Susan Mulhearn, co-founder, said. 

Mulhearn, co-founder Anika Robinson and co-founder, Angela Teachout started Shade Tree Academy in Mesa.

"All of us are foster adoptive parents and all of us have been raising children from hard places," Robinson said. 

The children at Shade Tree work on skill development and academics. Skill development can include somatic exercises and trauma therapy facilitated by a licensed clinician. The school's model accounts for some of the trauma the children may have experienced — which is something a traditional school may not have. 

What’s our WHY? Why did we create a trauma focused school for kids impacted by foster care? Because our kids deserve all...

Posted by Shade Tree Academy on Monday, January 15, 2024

“We originally had caregivers who would reach out to us asking for help their children would be expelled from public schools and expelled from alternative behavioral public schools," Robinson said. 

Four years later, Shade Tree is breaking ground Saturday afternoon on a new 18,000-square-foot building.

Shae Tree got a $4 million donation to make it happen, but it came with a requirement; they had to raise a million dollars on their own. 

“And we are just $300,000 away from being able to meet our goal," Robinson said. 

The new facility will house up to 100 students, as well as an equine therapy facility and a pool, Robinson said. 

"We're so excited at the lasting impact that this will have on generations to come," Mulhearn said. 

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