JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Duval County Public School's GRASP Academy is celebrating 10 years.
The school hosted an event for students and families, including a pep rally. What makes GRASP Academy stand out is how it is the only school in North East Florida that caters to students who have dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia or any language based disability for free.
The Jacksonville school also provides transportation for students within Duval County. School officials said it holds about 300 students. Teachers and staff expressed their desire to expand the school's open enrollment.
Friday's event is supposed to raise awareness and financial support for students who have special needs.
Principal Annessia Powell has been with the school for six out its 10 years. To Powell, the school means so much to her because she's dyslexic. However, the school principal admitted she didn't know until she became an adult.
"Not only on top of that, but then my daughter is dyslexic. So dyslexia is hereditary, it runs in families," Powell said. "Just seeing that and knowing what she went through in public schools and what I've gone through in public schools to have an opportunity to change education and to allow our students to know that there is a way and tell my parents, 'listen don't give up.'"
Principal Powell said one-in-five students are dyslexic. She shared with First Coast News how parents do not have to provide documentation to show their child has a language based or learning disability.