The Appalachian Banner Academy is a local private school that specializes in individualized curriculum for children with autism and other behavioral disorders.
Banner, meaning excellent or outstanding, is the mission of ABA. They are a category five school, meaning awaiting accreditation. ABA is licensed through the Department of Education.
Mikael Gouge, executive director, started ABA after the COVID-19 pandemic to help her son who was struggling in public school. “When everything shut down I didn’t really want him to go back,” said Gouge, leading to the founding of ABA.
The school started with six students and has since grown to 24 with a waitlist for the upcoming year. ABA teaches kindergarten through eighth grade with plans to expand through high school in the future.
ABA teaches all core subjects, physical education, art and music. They also have life and social skills components to work on deficits in adaptive skills.
“I love to see our students progress,” said Gouge. “Kids loving school for the first time is the most rewarding part of the job.”
Each student takes a diagnostic test to gauge their current knowledge level and see where their course of study may begin.
Curriculum is individualized to each student, setting ABA apart from typical school systems. “We talk to parents about what they would like to see their kids do,” said Gouge. “Curriculum is catered towards constant progress rather than a grade level or standard.”
Each staff member goes through registered behavior technician training so the response to behavior is consistent. “We see behaviors as communication,” said Gouge. “We ask ‘what is this student communicating and what need is not met?’”
ABA employs 13 staff members including four teachers and many teachers assistants. They follow the Johnson City School schedule and have class from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
For more information and enrollment inquiries visit appbanner.org or email mgouge@appbanner.org.
