In 2011The Exceptional Student Education Program was started at Highpoint Academy in 2004. It was obvious that there was a strong need in our community for a high-quality program to address the needs of so many children with learning differences that seemed to be getting lost in the typical education setting. Dr. Jiliann De Villiers, affectionately known to her students and families as “Dr. Gigi”, began at Highpoint as the Mom of two young children. She had worked for the public school system as a special education teacher, school psychologist and school administrator for over a decade.
She and Ms. Alicia Casanova, the owner and principal of Highpoint Academy, made an instant connection and realized that they could create a very special program at Highpoint that could impact the lives of children who learned differently from the norm. Dr. Gigi made the decision to leave her administrative position with the Miami-Dade Public School System and join forces with Highpoint to carry out her mission of helping children with learning differences succeed in life. With Ms. Alicia's full support, the program, which started with just 5 students in a small classroom at the Main Campus, quickly grew.
Dr. Gigi’s husband Luis De Villiers who is better known to our Highpoint Family as "Coach Luis" came from Corporate America. He was introduced to the world of special education by his wife. His life was touched by every student and parent he met along the way. The story behind each child became his inspiration to join Dr. Gigi in 2005 and become a part of this remarkable program.
Coach Luis uses his expertise for managing the business side of the program. He is the first one at the school every morning to greet families and staff with his famous "Cafe Luis". During his daily Highpoint morning show, he entertains the students and faculty with a song of the day.
In 2011, we inaugurated the Coral Way Campus. This is a spacious facility with large open areas. Through the years, the Coral Way Campus has grown significantly and become recognized in the community as one of the leading programs in the county for students with learning differences. Every year, local universities send interns from the field of special education, speech, and occupational therapy to do field experience at our school and learn about the innovative approaches we implement at Highpoint. Our team of dedicated teachers and school administrators have created at Highpoint a nurturing, innovative and supportive environment for students and parents.
She and Ms. Alicia Casanova, the owner and principal of Highpoint Academy, made an instant connection and realized that they could create a very special program at Highpoint that could impact the lives of children who learned differently from the norm. Dr. Gigi made the decision to leave her administrative position with the Miami-Dade Public School System and join forces with Highpoint to carry out her mission of helping children with learning differences succeed in life. With Ms. Alicia's full support, the program, which started with just 5 students in a small classroom at the Main Campus, quickly grew.
Dr. Gigi’s husband Luis De Villiers who is better known to our Highpoint Family as "Coach Luis" came from Corporate America. He was introduced to the world of special education by his wife. His life was touched by every student and parent he met along the way. The story behind each child became his inspiration to join Dr. Gigi in 2005 and become a part of this remarkable program.
Coach Luis uses his expertise for managing the business side of the program. He is the first one at the school every morning to greet families and staff with his famous "Cafe Luis". During his daily Highpoint morning show, he entertains the students and faculty with a song of the day.
In 2011, we inaugurated the Coral Way Campus. This is a spacious facility with large open areas. Through the years, the Coral Way Campus has grown significantly and become recognized in the community as one of the leading programs in the county for students with learning differences. Every year, local universities send interns from the field of special education, speech, and occupational therapy to do field experience at our school and learn about the innovative approaches we implement at Highpoint. Our team of dedicated teachers and school administrators have created at Highpoint a nurturing, innovative and supportive environment for students and parents.
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