Now Accepting Enrollment Inquiries for the 2026-2027 School Year in Clay County, FL
A Boutique Microschool Built on Experience and Excellence.
BrightGate Academy is a personalized microschool in Clay County founded by a veteran special education and school leadership professional with over 25 years of experience. Our focus on turning potential into real, measurable outcomes gives parents and guardians confidence in their child's progress.
Special Education Programming Expanding
Lyndhurst Students With Special Needs Could Get New Teaching Method
Student Learning Experience/Community Based Instruction
During a Time of Uncertainty, Leading Educators Look Ahead and Offer Advice
Read More About My Work:
Meet the Founder & Educational Leader
Dr. Sharon King-Dobson is the founder of BrightGate Academy and a veteran educator with more than 25 years of experience in special education, curriculum, and educational leadership. She holds a Doctorate in Higher Education along with multiple Master’s degrees in Special Education and Educational Leadership. Throughout her career, she has been committed to creating inclusive, responsive learning environments where every child can thrive through personalized support and expert care.
Dr. King-Dobson has served as a supervisor, director, and assistant superintendent of student services in the Northeast, where she developed and led impactful programs designed to meet the needs of diverse learners. Her work includes creating autism-focused programs, life-skills curricula, and both self-contained and inclusive learning models for students on the autism spectrum and other learners with diverse neurological and learning needs.
She has also designed innovative programs such as Community Exposure for PreK–5 students, Community-Based Instruction for middle school students, and Structured Learning Work Experience for high school students with special needs. As an assistant superintendent, she specialized in curriculum development, aligning instruction with state standards while ensuring it remained accessible, individualized, and meaningful for every learner.
By bringing specialized programs into local school districts, Dr. King-Dobson has helped foster both academic and social growth, ensuring students learn alongside their peers while gaining the skills needed for a confident and independent future.
Our Philosophy
At BrightGate Academy, we operate from an asset-based perspective, seeing strengths, potential, and possibilities before deficits. Our school culture is designed so that children feel known, valued, and empowered.
We believe in structure without rigidity, support without lowered expectations, and instruction that is both responsive and accountable.
We believe the true measure of growth is meaningful academic progress, and we are committed to closely monitoring each child’s development so that there are no gaps in understanding, support, or in the data used to guide instruction.
Who BrightGate Serves
BrightGate Academy serves PreK 4 through Grade 2 students who benefit from a smaller, structured, and more individualized learning environment. Families find BrightGate because their child is entering school for the first time, transitioning from Early Steps, preschool, public school, private school, homeschool, or using a Florida scholarship program.
Our students may include:
-
Neurodivergent learners
-
Students with identified or suspected learning differences, ADHD, autism spectrum traits, and developmental delays
-
Students with early academic gaps and dyslexia
-
Students who need a calmer and more supportive setting
At BrightGate, students receive targeted instruction in a small, structured environment while building the academic and developmental skills needed for long-term success.
Our program is aligned with Florida State Standards and guided by leadership with deep expertise in special education, curriculum design, and student support.
-
Requires more targeted academic support to succeed
-
Thrives in a smaller learning environment with clear routines and consistent support
-
Learns best through repetition, modeling, and guided practice
-
Benefits from extra time and support before transitioning to a larger school setting
-
Grows in a supportive environment that builds confidence and independence.
Related Services at BrightGate
BrightGate Academy focuses on academic growth, individualized instruction, and student support. Related services such as speech-language therapy, occupational, and physical therapy are not provided directly by BrightGate staff. However, outside providers are welcome to work with students on site subject to school approval and policies.