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  • The Teammate Everyone Wants: Jaaden’s December Spotlight Story

    When you talk to senior Jaaden about basketball, you don’t just hear about the sport — you hear about commitment, resilience, and the power of showing up for the people around you. It’s no surprise he was recently nominated for Student Spotlight at Royce and recognized as Teammate of the Week for the Savannah Jaguars.

    “I got nominated because of the effort I put into the team,” he explains. “Even though I don’t get put on the court that often, I still get my team’s support — and I give them mine.”

    For Jaaden, being a teammate isn’t about minutes played. It’s about attitude. After every game, win or lose, he’s the one reminding the team what really matters.

    “If we don’t win, it doesn’t matter how,” he says. “I tell them we did better than the last game. And if we didn’t, then we know what we’ve got to work on and improve.”

    That mindset carries into practice too. Even when he’s hurting — literally — he refuses to hold back.

    “One time my ankle was hurting, but I still tried to give 100%. Even if something’s holding me back, I still go all out.”

    The Jaguars practice at the Winter Forest Baptist Church gym, where the energy is loud, supportive, and full of familiar faces. Several of Jaaden’s Royce classmates — Ahmed Minor, Thomas Davis, and Tamaj Williams — are right there beside him.

    “We’re a team together,” he says. “I feel like the basketball team actually brought me closer to my friends. It really helped me improve — not just my basketball skills, but me.”

    That’s the heart of Jaaden’s story: effort that inspires others, a team that lifts each other up, and a student who has grown through every challenge he’s faced.

    At Royce, we celebrate students who lead with character, resilience, and heart. Jaaden embodies all three.

  • What Made the Difference: Maggie on Community, Safety, and Support

    When Maggie talks about her time at Royce, she does it with the kind of ease and honesty that makes you lean in. Now a 17‑year‑old senior, Maggie has been part of the Royce community since 2019 — more than half a decade of growth, friendships, and unexpected discoveries.

    “I first came here when COVID started,” she recalls. “I remember doing virtual learning for a bit.” Like so many students navigating that strange moment in time, Maggie wasn’t sure what school would look like next. But when she transitioned into high school, she made a choice that surprised even her family.

    “Instead of going to Savannah Arts like my sisters, I decided to stay here,” she says. “I really enjoyed the teachers and how they were understandable.”

    For Maggie, that connection mattered. At her previous schools, she remembers teachers being kind, but not especially memorable. “They were sweet, but I only remember one or two of them,” she explains. “Here, it’s different.”

    What stood out most was the environment — calm, welcoming, and free from the social pressures that can overwhelm so many students. “I preferred my time here because there was no bullying, no drama going on most of the time. It was nice.”

    Maggie also found herself drawn to the academic opportunities that felt fresh and engaging. “I liked the history classes, like Heroes and Villains — and all that jazz,” she says with a smile. “I liked how enthusiastic the teachers were about their jobs.”

    That enthusiasm, she says, made learning feel alive. It made school feel like a place she wanted to be.

    As Maggie prepares for graduation, her story reflects what so many students discover at Royce: a place where they can feel safe, seen, and supported — and where teachers show up every day with genuine passion for helping students thrive.

    Maggie
    Royce Senior, Class of 2026

  • Partner Spotlight: Front Porch Improv Acts & The Royce Rising Voices Theater Club

    A Stage for Every Voice

    At The Royce School, the Rising Voices Theater Club is more than an extracurricular—it’s a place where students discover confidence, creativity, and community. For many of our neurodiverse learners, public speaking and performance can feel intimidating. Theater offers a safe, supportive space to step outside their comfort zones, amplify their voices, and celebrate their individuality.

    The Power of Partnership

    This mission is strengthened by our collaboration with Front Porch Improv Acts, a Savannah‑based organization dedicated to bringing the joy of improvisation to all ages. Their teaching artists work alongside Royce students, guiding them through workshops that spark imagination, build teamwork, and encourage bold self‑expression. With improv, students learn that mistakes can become opportunities, and that laughter is one of the most powerful tools for connection.

    Creativity Meets Community

    Together, Rising Voices and Front Porch Improv Acts create experiences that go beyond the stage. Students not only gain theater skills, but also resilience, confidence, and the ability to share their stories with pride. Families and teachers see firsthand how these performances help students grow—transforming nerves into applause and challenges into strengths.

    Why It Matters

    The partnership reminds us that theater is not just about scripts and costumes—it’s about belonging. By combining Royce’s commitment to inclusion with Front Porch’s expertise in improv, we ensure that every student has the chance to shine.

    At Royce, every spotlight is a celebration of courage, creativity, and community—and we’re grateful to Front Porch Improv Acts for helping our students step into it.

    Click here to learn more about Front Porch Improv

  • Celebrating Grandparents Day at Royce

    Honoring Family Connections

    This year, The Royce School welcomed grandparents from near and far to celebrate Grandparents Day a little early. The school hosted a special lunch to honor the remarkable role grandparents play in our students’ lives, highlighting the importance of family connections, community, and inter-generational support.

    A Day of Joy and Connection

    Grandparents had the opportunity to connect with teachers, meet other families, and celebrate their grandchildren’s achievements in a meaningful way. The event was filled with warmth, laughter, and pride as students shared their school experiences with the people who cheer them on every step of the way.

    Gratitude for Lasting Impact

    The Royce School is deeply grateful to all the grandparents who joined us for this memorable day. Your presence, encouragement, and love make a lasting impact on our students and our school community. Grandparents Day reminds us that education and family are strongest when celebrated together.

  • From Traditional School to The Royce School: A Smooth Transition with Royce

    “For nearly ten years, our family has benefited from the services offered through Royce Learning Center and Chatham Academy – tutoring, summer programs, and full-time enrollment. 

    This year, our son, a 9th grader on the autism spectrum, recently began high school at Chatham Academy after spending PK–8th grade in the same school. We were nervous about the change, but the school’s flexibility with accommodations, strong partnership with families, and acceptance of his strengths and needs made the transition very smooth.

    He is receiving a solid academic curriculum, but also with explicit instruction in life skills, social development, and social-emotional learning. We are grateful for this supportive environment as he continues to learn and grow.”

    Erin and Domenick Roma
    Parents of 9th Grader