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  • The Royce Holiday Extravaganza: A Celebration of Courage, Creativity, and Community

    A Festive Tradition

    This December, The Royce School lit up the stage with its annual Holiday Extravaganza, a joyful play presented by The Royce School Lower, Middle, and Upper School student body. The event brought together costumes, music, and storytelling to celebrate the season, filling the auditorium with laughter, applause, and holiday cheer.

    Theater as Empowerment

    For many students, especially those who are neurodiverse, public speaking can feel daunting. Standing in front of an audience, remembering lines, and projecting confidence are challenges that require courage. The Holiday Extravaganza gave students a safe, supportive space to step outside their comfort zones, discover their voices, and shine in ways they may not have thought possible. Each performance was not just entertainment – it was a powerful reminder of how theater builds confidence, resilience, and self‑expression.

    A Community Effort

    This was a student‑run play: every aspect was created and executed by Royce students under the guidance and support of parents, staff, and teachers. From designing sets and costumes to cheering one another through rehearsals, the students brought this magical holiday experience to life. The collaboration showcased what makes Royce special – a community that shows up for one another and celebrates every achievement, big or small.

    An Afternoon to Remember

    The Holiday Extravaganza was more than a play – it was a celebration of belonging. Students discovered new strengths, families witnessed moments of growth, and the entire school community came together to honor the joy of the season. At Royce, every spotlight is a chance for students to be seen, heard, and celebrated.

  • 🎓 Alumni Spotlight: From Student to Staff — A Full-Circle Journey

    Name: Ashleigh Wetherington
    Class of: 2025
    Current Role: Paraprofessional and After-Care Teacher at The Royce School

    We love seeing our alumni return to campus – especially when they become part of the team. One recent graduate shared how their journey through Chatham Academy (now The Royce School) shaped their confidence and career path.

    “I started attending Chatham Academy in 7th grade and graduated in May 2025. Today, I’m proud to serve as a paraprofessional and the after-care teacher at the school.”

    Their story reflects the heart of our mission: helping students build skills, confidence, and independence – and sometimes inspiring them to give back.

    “When I first came here, I struggled with math. But this school taught me how to do both simple and hard math step by step. I always loved how the teachers really broke down each step and put their time into teaching the material.”

    We’re honored to have this alum as part of our staff – and grateful for the full-circle impact they’re making every day.

  • 🎉 A New Chapter: Welcome to The Royce School

    🏫 One Name. One Mission.

    This unification isn’t just a new logo or a fresh coat of paint – it’s a reflection of who we’ve become. We’re moving away from a mix of titles and programs that felt hard to follow, and toward a unified identity built around expertise:

    • Small class sizes
    • Highly trained teachers
    • Individualized instruction for students who learn differently

    Whether through full-time schooling, tutoring, or summer programs, our mission remains the same: to empower neurodiverse learners with the tools, support, and confidence they need to thrive.

    🔍 From Complexity to Clarity

    The Royce School is more than a collection of services—it’s a singular, focused school with a clear promise. We’re proud to be recognized not just as a provider, but as a leader in specialized education in Savannah and beyond.

    We haven’t changed our mission.  

    We haven’t changed our approach.  

    But now, the story we tell finally matches the school we’ve built.

    💙 Thank You for Growing With Us

    To every family who’s been part of our journey—thank you. Your trust, feedback, and support helped shape this transformation. We’re excited to move forward together, with a name that reflects our heart, our purpose, and our future.

    Explore our programs and learn more at www.royceschool.org

  • Growing in Confidence: Zeila on Reading, Friendship, and Finding Support at Royce

    Twelve‑year‑old Zeila has been part of the Royce community for three years — long enough, she says with a smile, to know she’s in the right place. With a full team of teachers supporting her, including Ms. Christensen, Mr. Newman, Mr. Beaman, Ms. Vaughn, Mr. McArthur, and Ms. Vogeler, Zeila has found a school where she feels understood, encouraged, and genuinely cared for.

    “I do like them,” she says of her teachers. “They’re really nice.”

    For Zeila, one of the biggest changes since coming to Royce has been her reading. “I have really bad dyslexia,” she explains. “And I’ve improved my reading.” It’s a simple sentence, but the pride behind it is unmistakable.

    Her journey hasn’t always been easy. Before Royce, Zeila attended two other schools — and the experiences were very different.

    “At my first school, the principal was really mean to the teachers,” she recalls. “But this school is really nice. The principal is really nice to the teachers and to the kids.”

    Her second school didn’t offer the support she needed. “They didn’t really help me with my dyslexia,” she says. “There was only one class that helped me, and I had to move in the middle of the year. So they didn’t really help.”

    At Royce, that changed. She found teachers who understood her learning needs, classmates who shared similar experiences, and a community where she didn’t feel alone.

    “I’ve made a lot of friends here that also have dyslexia and are kind of like me,” she says. “They’re a little bit kinder than my other school. It was kind of hard to make friends there. Here, people understand how I feel.”

    One of Zeila’s favorite parts of school is art club, especially because it gives her the chance to help younger students.

    “It’s fun,” she says. “Especially when I can help with the little kids with the art. I always love little kids — ever since I was like two.”

    Her teachers see that kindness every day. Her friends feel it too — especially her close friend Vivvy, who she’s often spotted laughing with between classes.

    For Zeila, school isn’t just about academics. It’s about belonging. It’s about being surrounded by people who understand her energy, her humor, and her heart.

    “It’s fun,” she says simply. “Because of all my friends.”

    And in that one sentence, she captures exactly what makes Royce feel like home.

  • Finding Her Voice: River on Activities, Confidence, and Community at Royce

    Sixth grader River has been part of the Royce community for nearly four years, joining in second or third grade — “I don’t know exactly,” she laughs — but long enough to feel right at home. With a full team of teachers supporting her, including Ms. Lloyd, Mr. McArthur, Ms. Vaughn, Ms. Vogeler, Mr. Beaman, Mr. Newman, and Ms. Christensen, River has grown academically, socially, and creatively.

    When asked what she’s improved the most since coming to Royce, River doesn’t hesitate.

    “Probably math a bit,” she says. “And maybe a bit of reading. I read a lot.”

    For her, the difference isn’t just in the subjects — it’s in the environment. Compared to her previous schools, River says Royce feels more engaging, more active, and more connected.

    “My old schools were a bit different,” she explains. “One of them was kind of similar, but here there’s more education… and more activities.”

    And activities are where River truly lights up.

    “My favorite thing about the school is all the activities they plan — and honestly, all the teachers,” she says.

    Over the years, River has explored a little bit of everything: flag football, art club, and now gaming club. “Last year I was in flag football, then I switched to art club. This year, I’m in gaming club,” she says proudly.

    She’s also stepping into something new — the school play.

    River admits that performing alone on stage isn’t her favorite thing. “I don’t like going on stage by myself,” she says. “But with the play, you’re with other people, so you don’t feel alone. It gets easier.”

    She’s excited about the new theater space, the stage upgrades, and the chance to try something that once felt intimidating. “I think it’ll be fun,” she says. “I practiced at home with voice acting and stuff.”

    For River, Royce has become a place where trying new things feels safe — where teachers cheer you on, classmates become teammates, and activities help you discover who you are.

    And as she continues to explore clubs, plays, and everything in between, one thing is clear: River is finding her voice, her confidence, and her community at Royce.