Alicia A. Casanova
Principal
Alicia A. Casanova's childhood dream was to make a difference in the lives of children. At the age of only 19, with few funds but lots of enthusiasm, goals and ambition, she pursued her dream by starting her own Pre-School Center. With her strong belief that children learn best hands-on and when Teachers recognize and address each of their individual needs and learning styles, the Center became very successful and through the years transformed into a prestigious, reputable and fully accredited Private PK-8 School educating hundreds of children.
In 2003, Ms. Alicia met Dr. Gigi who was a parent at Highpoint Academy. Ms. Alicia always had the vision of opening a program for children with learning differences. Together with Dr. Gigi, Highpoint Academy began the Exceptional Student Education Program in the Fall of 2003.
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In 2003, Ms. Alicia met Dr. Gigi who was a parent at Highpoint Academy. Ms. Alicia always had the vision of opening a program for children with learning differences. Together with Dr. Gigi, Highpoint Academy began the Exceptional Student Education Program in the Fall of 2003.
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Dr. Gigi De Villiers
Program Director
Dr. Jiliann De Villiers, affectionately known to her students and families as “Dr. Gigi”, is a veteran of the Miami-Dade County Public School system. Dr. De Villiers began her career in 1987 as an Exceptional Student Education teacher working with children diagnosed with Autism, Down’s Syndrome, multiple physical impairments, and Specific Learning Disabilities. She was among the pioneers who began implementing an Inclusion model for servicing children with special needs in the general classroom. In 1994, she left the classroom to work in the position of Staffing Specialist as well as an elementary school administrator. During this time, Dr. De Villiers helped to establish support programs for children with disabilities and their families across several schools in the county.
In 2004, Dr. De Villiers began the ESE program at Highpoint Academy under the leadership, support and vision of the school’s principal, Alicia A. Casanova. She has used her years of experience and training to design the program and services offered at the school. She personally does a complete evaluation of each student entering the program, designs an intervention program to meet their specific needs, and collaborates with each teacher to monitor student progress. She works directly with each family to provide support and answer any concerns they may have.
In 2011, Dr. Gigi and Coach Luis founded "Dr. Gigi's Raise Me Up Foundation. The mission of Dr. Gigi’s Raise Me Up Foundation is to provide extracurricular programs, support services, family events, and therapies to children with special needs in the South Florida Community.www.DrGigisRMUF.org
Click Here to view Dr. Gigi's Curriculum Vitae
In 2004, Dr. De Villiers began the ESE program at Highpoint Academy under the leadership, support and vision of the school’s principal, Alicia A. Casanova. She has used her years of experience and training to design the program and services offered at the school. She personally does a complete evaluation of each student entering the program, designs an intervention program to meet their specific needs, and collaborates with each teacher to monitor student progress. She works directly with each family to provide support and answer any concerns they may have.
In 2011, Dr. Gigi and Coach Luis founded "Dr. Gigi's Raise Me Up Foundation. The mission of Dr. Gigi’s Raise Me Up Foundation is to provide extracurricular programs, support services, family events, and therapies to children with special needs in the South Florida Community.www.DrGigisRMUF.org
Click Here to view Dr. Gigi's Curriculum Vitae
Luis De Villiers
Dean of School
Luis De Villiers who is better known to our Highpoint Family as "Coach Luis" came from world of Corporate America into the world of education. Coach Luis was always involved with his wife Dr. Gigi in the operation of schools and with her special needs students. His life was touched by every student and parent he met along along the way. The story behind each child became his inspiration to join forces with his wife in 2005 and become a part of this remarkable program.
Coach Luis uses his expertise for managing the business side of the program and organizing different disciplines under one roof in order to provide in-house services for the students and their families. He is the first one at the school every morning to greet the families with the newspaper and his famous "Cafe Luis". During his daily Highpoint morning show, he entertains the students and faculty with his song of the day.