About The Royce School
Our Story: The Royce Journey
Founded in 1970. Still changing lives – one student at a time.
For more than 50 years, we’ve been changing lives – one student at a time.
Our Founder
Harriet Royce
1899 – 1986
Harriet Royce was born near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, around the turn of the 20th century. She earned degrees from the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where she specialized in Gillingham Reading methods, earning a Master of Arts.
Married to Frank G. Royce, she dedicated her life to pioneering education for neurodiverse students. Alongside a dedicated group of professionals and parents, Mrs. Royce understood a powerful truth: education could transform lives – not just for students, but for their families and the entire Savannah community.
Mrs. Royce passed away in 1986 and was laid to rest at Philadelphia Memorial Park, leaving behind a legacy that continues to transform lives today.
Harriet Royce, Founder
The Royce Journey
Five Decades of Impact
1970
Royce Learning Center is Founded
Royce was founded in 1970 by visionary educator Harriet Royce, alongside a dedicated group of professionals and parents who were passionate advocates for individuals with learning differences. As recognized leaders in special education, Mrs. Royce and her colleagues understood a powerful truth: education could transform lives – not just for students, but for their families and the entire Savannah community.
1978
Chatham Academy Foundation, Inc. is Founded
Chatham Academy Foundation, Inc. was established in 1978 by a committed group of parents and concerned citizens who recognized an urgent need: children of average intelligence with specific learning differences and attention deficit disorders deserved a full-day instructional program designed specifically for their success. The school opened with just eight students, made possible by a generous donation from Christ Church, and became the only institution in the Coastal Empire specializing in educating students with learning differences.
1995
Two Legacies Unite
In the summer of 1995, Chatham Academy merged with Royce Learning Center, bringing together two pioneering organizations committed to excellence in specialized education. To honor the established reputations of both entities, the merged organization retained the Royce name for the center while the school program continued as Chatham Academy. Their missions had naturally aligned – and ultimately became one shared purpose: to teach students in the way their brains learn best.
2020
50 Years of Excellence
The 2020 academic year marked a significant milestone as the school celebrated 50 years of transforming lives. Despite the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, enrollment had grown to 66 students – a testament to the school’s enduring mission and the community’s trust in its specialized approach.
2026
A New Chapter Begins
In 2026, we proudly launched our rebrand as The Royce School, uniting our programs under one name that honors our founder’s legacy while looking boldly toward the future. Today, we serve more than 100 neurodiverse learners in grades K-12 and continue the work that Harriet Royce began over five decades ago: empowering students with learning differences to discover their strengths, build confidence, and achieve success.
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Ready to Write Your Child’s Next Chapter?
Schedule a visit and see what more than 50 years of brain-based education looks like in practice.