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Lamar CISD is opening Bright Futures Academy to meet a need within the district.
Over the past decade, the enrollment for students with autism spectrum disorder at LCISD has risen by 334.1%, according to data from the Texas Education Agency.
The overview
Bright Futures Academy is welcoming up to 95 students for the first time as the 2026-27 school year begins on Aug. 11.
The academy, located at the former Beasley Elementary School site, is for students from early childhood, or 3 years old, through second grade with autism spectrum disorder.
On Aug. 7, district officials, community members and staff held a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the facility to usher in the academy for LCISD students.
“One of the things that makes Bright Futures Academy so special is that it was created with people at the center: students, families, educators and the whole community,” Bright Futures Academy Principal Toni Scott said.
What parents need to know
LCISD’s Executive Director of Special Education Tiffany Mathis said the academy will utilize 10 classrooms, 10 teachers and 21 paraprofessionals for different levels of study that can be adjusted to fit each student’s specific needs:
Mathis said other faculty members will include a school psychologist, education diagnostician, speech pathologist, occupational therapist, physical education teacher and an art teacher.
“We pride ourselves in our special education program,” Mathis said. “Bright Futures Academy is one step above because it is an in-district charter [school]. It is not something that we can tell a parent, ‘You must attend this program.’ They want to be here.”
On the horizon
LCISD intends to add one grade level each year to the academy through to fifth grade, according to the district’s website.
