Every child learns differently. Some students thrive with visual aids, while others need more time to process written material. Some excel when they can listen to instructions read aloud, and others benefit from having assignments broken into smaller, more manageable pieces. For families navigating learning differences, finding a school that truly understands their child's unique needs can feel like an overwhelming journey.
At Liberty Christian School in Huntington Beach, California, the L.E.A.R.N. Academy exists for exactly this reason. This dedicated resource services program provides individualized support for students with learning and emotional challenges, all within the framework of a nurturing, faith-based educational environment. Rather than separating students from the classroom experience, the L.E.A.R.N. Academy empowers them to succeed alongside their peers with the right accommodations and guidance in place.
Quick Summary
- The L.E.A.R.N. Academy is Liberty Christian School's specialized resource services program for students with diagnosed learning disabilities or emotional challenges
- The program serves students in grades K–12 at an annual cost of $2,200
- Students are supported in mainstreamed classes through individualized accommodations rather than being placed in a separate educational track
- The program is led by a director with a Master of Arts in Special Education and more than 20 years of experience
- LCS's small class sizes — with a goal of 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio — make individualized support genuinely achievable
- Parental involvement and consistent follow-through at home are core expectations of the program
What Is the L.E.A.R.N. Academy?
The L.E.A.R.N. Academy is Liberty Christian School's specialized resource services program, designed to identify, track, and support students who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities or emotional challenges. The name itself reflects the program's mission, with each letter representing a core pillar of its approach:
- L — Lead
- E — Equip
- A — Advocate
- R — Resource
- N — Navigate
The program is grounded in the belief that every child is made in the image of God and is designed uniquely for God's own purposes. This foundational conviction drives the Academy's commitment to meeting each student exactly where they are, whether their needs are minimal or more extensive.
Colossians 1:10 serves as the Academy's guiding scripture: "Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better."
The Heart Behind the Program
Leading the L.E.A.R.N. Academy is Mrs. Jannette Martes, who holds a Master of Arts in Special Education and brings more than 20 years of experience working with special needs students and their families. She approaches her work as a ministry, specializing in supporting students with neurological and emotional challenges and creating a positive, structured environment in which every student can make meaningful progress.
Mrs. Martes wears many hats at Liberty Christian School, also serving as Vice Principal, College Advisor, Academic Dean, and Jr/Sr Bible teacher. This breadth of responsibility gives her a comprehensive understanding of each student's full academic journey, from identifying learning differences in the early years all the way through college preparation and life beyond graduation. Her ability to see the whole picture of a student's path makes her uniquely qualified to ensure individualized support is woven into every stage of their experience.
How the L.E.A.R.N. Academy Supports Students
The core goal of the L.E.A.R.N. Academy is straightforward yet deeply intentional: meet the needs of students in the least restrictive environment possible, allowing them to remain in mainstreamed classes with the accommodations and modifications they need to succeed.
The program focuses on four clear objectives:
- Meet the needs of each student spiritually, emotionally, and educationally
- Enable students to be successful in mainstreamed classes with accommodations and/or modifications
- Provide continuing reinforcement in reading and math skills
- Monitor each student within their mainstreamed classes
This approach means students with learning differences are not separated from their peers or placed on an entirely different educational track. Instead, the Academy works within the existing classroom structure to ensure every learner has what they need to thrive.
Types of Accommodations Available
The L.E.A.R.N. Academy provides a range of accommodations tailored to each student's specific needs. Depending on what a student requires, these may include note-takers and scribes, audio books and texts, extra time on tests or assignments, oral testing, chunking material into smaller sections, typed assignments, and preferential seating.
Some students may only need one or two of these supports, while others may require a more comprehensive plan. The flexibility of the program allows the Academy to scale its support based on what each individual student genuinely needs to succeed, rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach.
Why Inclusive Education Matters in a Christian School Setting
For many families seeking a special education Christian school option, one of the biggest concerns is whether their child with learning differences will be welcomed and supported in a private school environment. Public schools are required by law to provide special education services, but private schools are not always equipped to offer the same level of individualized care.
Liberty Christian School takes a different approach. While we are transparent that we are not a special needs school, we actively work to meet the academic needs of students with IEPs and diagnosed learning challenges. We do not diagnose individualized education plans, but we do tailor our educational approaches based on the plans students bring with them, meeting learners where they are so they can experience genuine academic success.
For families who want to understand the full scope of how we approach accessible education, our Accessible Education page provides detailed information about the program, including the L.E.A.R.N. Academy Handbook and application.
The Role of Small Class Sizes
One of the key factors that makes the L.E.A.R.N. Academy's approach so effective is Liberty Christian School's intentionally small class sizes. With a goal of maintaining a 15:1 student-to-teacher ratio, teachers are able to provide the kind of personalized attention that students with learning differences often need to succeed.
In a smaller classroom, teachers can more easily implement accommodations without disrupting the learning environment for other students. They can also notice when a student is struggling before small challenges become larger obstacles. This kind of attentive, individualized support is what sets a school like Liberty Christian apart from larger institutions where students with diverse learning needs can too easily get lost in the crowd.
The Partnership Between School and Family
One of the distinctive aspects of the L.E.A.R.N. Academy is its emphasis on the partnership between the school and the student's family. Parental support is not optional. Parents are expected to demonstrate consistent follow-up of their student's work at home and provide the necessary behind-the-scenes support for their child to remain in the program.
This expectation reflects the Academy's understanding that true student success does not happen in a vacuum. When school and home are working together toward the same goals, students benefit from a consistent, supportive environment in every area of their lives. It is a collaborative approach that builds on Liberty Christian School's broader philosophy of partnering with families throughout their child's education. You can explore that broader philosophy further on our Academic Philosophy page.
Enrolling in the L.E.A.R.N. Academy
The L.E.A.R.N. Academy is available to students in grades K through 12, meaning families can access this resource throughout their child's entire educational journey at Liberty Christian School. There is an annual fee of $2,200 for the support services provided through the program.
Families interested in learning more can access the L.E.A.R.N. Academy Handbook and application through our Accessible Education page. The admissions process includes a conversation about the student's specific needs and how the Academy can best support them.
If you are exploring whether Liberty Christian School is the right fit for your child, a great first step is to read through the key questions to ask when choosing a private elementary school. Then schedule a tour and connect with our admissions team to see the campus, meet the staff, and learn more about our approach to individualized support firsthand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Liberty Christian School a special needs school?
Liberty Christian School is not a special needs school. However, through the L.E.A.R.N. Academy, we provide accommodations and modifications for students who have been diagnosed with learning disabilities or emotional challenges. Our goal is to meet students where they are and help them succeed in mainstreamed classes with the appropriate support in place.
What qualifications does the L.E.A.R.N. Academy director have?
Mrs. Jannette Martes, the director of the L.E.A.R.N. Academy, holds a Master of Arts in Special Education and has over 20 years of experience working with special needs students and their families. She specializes in supporting students with neurological and emotional challenges and also serves as the school's Vice Principal, College Advisor, and Academic Dean.
What types of accommodations does the L.E.A.R.N. Academy offer?
The Academy offers a range of accommodations including note-takers and scribes, audio books and texts, extra time on tests or assignments, oral testing, chunking of material, typed assignments, and preferential seating. The specific accommodations provided are tailored to each student's individual needs.
How much does the L.E.A.R.N. Academy cost?
There is an annual fee of $2,200 for support services within the L.E.A.R.N. Academy for students in grades K through 12. This fee covers the individualized accommodations and monitoring provided through the program.
Does Liberty Christian School work with existing IEPs?
While we do not diagnose or create individualized education plans, we do work with existing IEPs that students bring from previous educational settings. We tailor our educational approaches based on those plans to help students find genuine academic success within our school community.
What grade levels does the L.E.A.R.N. Academy serve?
The L.E.A.R.N. Academy provides support services for students in grades K through 12, meaning families can access this resource throughout their child's entire educational journey at Liberty Christian School.
A Place Where Every Student Belongs
Finding the right educational environment for a child with learning differences is one of the most important decisions a family can make. The L.E.A.R.N. Academy at Liberty Christian School offers something that can be difficult to find: a program that provides meaningful, individualized support within a loving Christian community that sees every student as uniquely created and purposed by God.
With over two decades of specialized expertise guiding the program, a clear commitment to meeting students in the least restrictive environment, and a school culture built on small class sizes and genuine personal attention, the L.E.A.R.N. Academy reflects what inclusive education can look like when it is rooted in both excellence and faith. For families in Huntington Beach and across Orange County, it is a resource worth exploring.
Contact us today to begin the conversation about what Liberty Christian School can offer your family.