Sunny View Elementary School

Proceed with Caution—Not a Safe School for Children with DisabilitiesLake Lure Classical Academy (LLCA) was initially fine for our high-performing children. However, once our adopted children with special needs required IEPs, everything changed. The school environment became toxic—bullying toward our other children intensified, teachers became cold and dismissive, and communication from the administration dried up.We filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction in 2021. After an in-depth investigation, LLCA was found in violation of federal and state special education laws, including:Failure to provide a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)Failure to properly implement IEPsFailure to consider Extended School Year (ESY) servicesFailure to conduct timely and appropriate reevaluationsThese weren’t minor oversights—they were serious, systemic failures that harmed our daughter’s education, mental health, and safety.Despite these findings and a mandated corrective action plan from the state, the school’s leadership—specifically Barbara Cohen and Mimi Keyes—remained unchanged in their approach. Barbara Cohen shows little concern for children with disabilities and does not foster a safe learning environment. Mimi Keyes, while in a position of authority, repeatedly refused to intervene or help.Instead of prioritizing children’s development, staff members have been known to belittle students for their clothing, appearance, and differences. The school’s focus is disturbingly external, while emotional well-being and neurodiverse support are ignored. Our family and many others in the local community have since pulled out their children. In fact, very few local families send their kids to the Academy anymore—word has gotten out.If your child is neurotypical and thrives independently, you may not notice the toxic undercurrent. But if your child needs support—academically, emotionally, or behaviorally—LLCA is not a safe or nurturing place.I urge parents, especially those with adopted or differently-abled children, to research carefully and proceed with extreme caution before enrolling here. Our family will never recover the trust we lost, but we hope our story protects yours.