By Kurt Brobeck
August 12 marked a significant milestone as the new Roberts Academy at Vanderbilt University opened its doors to 21 third- and fourth-grade students.
Currently in a temporary location on the Vanderbilt campus, the academy is designed to be a transitional school providing intensive reading intervention and elementary instruction for students with dyslexia and other academic needs.
The academy is led by Director Jared Clodfelter, EdD鈥�22, who previously served as upper school division head of Nashville鈥檚 Currey Ingram Academy. Samantha Gesel, PhD鈥�19, serves as the academy鈥檚 assistant director. Gesel also is a member of the faculty in the Department of Special Education.
鈥淭he inaugural year of Roberts Academy at Vanderbilt University has been better than we could have imagined. A tremendous amount of work from so many people went into making this happen, and seeing our students walk through those doors made it all worthwhile,鈥� said Clodfelter. 鈥淥nly a month into the school year, we鈥檝e seen, and parents have reported, a change in our kids鈥� attitudes towards school: they鈥檙e feeling a sense of belonging at Roberts Academy, and this early into the school year, we couldn鈥檛 ask for any more.鈥�
Peabody and Vanderbilt launched the Roberts Academy and Dyslexia Center in fall 2023 thanks to a landmark gift from Hal and Marjorie Hollis Roberts of Lakeland, Florida. Early visitors to the academy have included Vanderbilt Chancellor Daniel Diermeier, Vice Chancellor Eric Kopstain, Board of Trust Member Steven Madden and his wife Kelly, along with Peabody faculty members and others.
An official celebration of the school鈥檚 opening is planned for October 16, when the Roberts family also will visit.
For its first year of operation, the academy鈥檚 teaching staff includes two third-grade teachers, one fourth-grade teacher, and two interventionists. This robust staff will undergird the academy鈥檚 highly individualized approach to education.
The academy鈥檚 literacy interventions are based on the Orton-Gillingham approach, a well-known and scientifically-based method for teaching children with dyslexia or other difficulties in reading.
Students in the Roberts Academy receive a complete elementary education curriculum including enrichment such as physical education at the Vanderbilt Recreation Center, music instruction from local musicians, and arts education via a partnership with Nashville Children鈥檚 Theatre.
Ashley Odom, one of the school鈥檚 parents, said, 鈥淚t is a privilege to be a part of Roberts Academy. My son, Ashton loves his new school. He’s excited every day to attend. And as a family we see what a difference this opportunity has made for his confidence.鈥�
The effort to open the school in its temporary location was demanding, involving the Department of Special Education, the Peabody Dean鈥檚 Office, Campus Planning and Construction and others who worked to create a suitable and welcoming educational environment in time for the start of school.
The academy鈥檚 temporary home is a historic private residence at 2007 Terrace Place. The building most recently housed Vanderbilt鈥檚 Office of Community, Neighborhood and Government Relations.
鈥淭o have moved as rapidly as we have from receiving the Robertses鈥� generous gift to opening a brand new school with its first cohort of students in less than a year is almost unheard of,鈥� said Camilla P. Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development at Peabody College. 鈥淲e are thrilled to be meeting the needs of these children and looking forward to growing the school over the coming years.鈥�
Planning for the academy鈥檚 permanent location is almost complete with construction anticipated to start later in fall 2024 or early winter 2025. The new school is slated to be complete in time for the academic year beginning in August 2026.
Families interested in learning more about the Roberts Academy or in applying for admission are encouraged to visit .