Tapestry charter school marks a decade of inclusion

School with wait list aims to ‘stay small scale but have a big impact.’

Ten years ago, a group of DeKalb parents united in their effort to expand the concept of “inclusion” for their children. They created Tapestry, a public charter school that has built on and expanded that idea.

“They were parents who had children on the autism spectrum and who wanted those children to be educated in an atypical environment,” Principal and CEO Matt Tyson said. “Our mission is still to provide an authentic, inclusive environment for non-typical students and their peers.”

At Tapestry, “inclusion” means more than one or two classes, said Tyson, who has been working with the school’s 300 students in grades six through 12 for eight years.

“A lot of times, people think inclusive means you participate in PE,” he said. “Our children are included in every aspect of school. The goal is to have 50% typical and 50% on-the-spectrum students. And that’s harder in a middle or high school environment.”

At the time of Tapestry’s inception, the idea had few role models.

“It took a lot of figuring out,” Tyson said. “We built our model and honed it over the years, and now are seeing tremendous success. I attribute it to listening to our kids and knowing that just because you have autism doesn’t mean you can’t participate with your peers and have a meaningful role to play.”

Students are supported in ways that make sense for them, Tyson said. Individualized curricula move students at their own pace. A classroom might be a mix of those working ahead, focusing on grade level or getting support. But they attend the same classes, conducted with both a content and special education teacher. They take the same tests and receive the same diplomas.

In addition to core classes, the school offers programs for the arts, gifted and second-language learners and AP art history and Spanish. A peer program focuses on building social skills that can be put toward internship opportunities.

Tapestry’s approach has drawn the attention of families largely by word of mouth through the community, Tyson said.

“It’s families telling other families that got us a wait list of more than 300 students — more than the population of the school,” he said. “Part of that also comes from the family dynamic we have. The school size lets students and parents get to know the teachers. And we have small classes to ensure students feel supported.”

While expansion is a possibility, Tyson said, the school’s primary principles would remain. “Our goal is to stay small scale but have a big impact.”

CONTRIBUTED Students from DeKalb’s Tapestry charter work on a challenge; the school aims to offer an inclusive and positive culture for students on the autism spectrum and for typical students.