Imagine Academy: 25 Years of Supporting Education at St. Jude
For 25 years, the school program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has helped patients continue their education while undergoing treatment. Known today as St. Jude Imagine Academy by Chili’s, the program provides both instruction and school advocacy, ensuring that learning remains a part of each child’s journey.
“The School Program is a special place,” said Laurie Leigh, the program’s first director. “The program started out in an office space and then moved to a 2,500-square-foot suite in the plaza of the Patient Care building and has grown so much since.”
Accredited by the nonprofit Cognia as a Special Purpose School, Imagine Academy does not grant academic credits or diplomas. Instead, students remain enrolled in their community schools while receiving instruction and advocacy support tailored to their needs. Every new patient at St. Jude is offered a consultation to assess their educational situation and determine the best level of support.
The Academy sees 50 to 150 patients per day with support from 16 weekly volunteers and over 90 employees who serve as lab helpers in the STEM Lab. Instruction is offered three times a week for K-12 students and twice a week for preschoolers. Beyond the classroom, the school advocacy team helps families navigate their children’s educational needs, working directly with schools when necessary to ensure appropriate accommodations.
“The ultimate goal with our school advocacy work is to empower students to tell their story and advocate for their classroom needs, so when they get back to school and ultimately transition to college, work or other postsecondary environments, they feel better prepared to ask for those accommodations,” said Alli Leslie, head of the program. “Our entire staff, including our school advocacy coordinators, does a great job of helping our students be successful.”
For many students, the relationships built at Imagine Academy last well beyond their time at St. Jude. Teachers often hear from former students who return to visit, grateful for the support they received.
“One of our proudest accomplishments is when our students come back and see us when they’re here for a checkup,” said teacher Kaci Richardson. “Our student-to-teacher ratio gives us the chance to connect with the kids we teach. It means a lot when the kids want to come back and maintain a relationship with our program.”
Graduations at Imagine Academy are particularly meaningful, celebrating milestones that may have once seemed out of reach.
“For a lot of kids, there are challenges academically along the way, so reaching this milestone is a big deal,” Leslie said. “Our students follow different pathways after high school which may include college, vocational rehab or a job, and we love celebrating the culmination of high school with them before they pursue those goals and dreams. It’s a great way to honor them and their families.”
For 25 years, Imagine Academy has provided patients with the tools and support they need to keep learning, no matter the challenges they face. Through instruction, advocacy, and lasting relationships, it continues to be a source of hope and opportunity for St. Jude families.