About Us
Serving students with dedication since 2011
Our Story
Our StoryThe first KEYS Academy in Culpeper, Virginia was founded by Sally Twentey and Deborah Moore, owners of Counseling Interventions. KEYS Academy opened its doors in October 2011 as a response to local needs for Students with Disabilities. Karen Alexander was its first teacher, and served as Director from 2011-2017, and Mentor Director from 2017-2019. KEYS Academy is now a division of Health Connect America, Inc.. Robyn Puryear moved into the Vice President for Educational Services position for KEYS Academy in January 2017.
KEYS Academy-Culpeper serves students from public school systems in Culpeper, Orange, Madison, Fauquier, Spotsylvania, Green, Louisa, Albemarle and Rappahannock Counties. In response to growth needs from the area communities, KEYS Academy-Culpeper expanded from 27 seats to 40 seats in 2015, and plans were made to open a new school. It serves elementary, middle, high, and post-secondary students with disabilities. Stefan Orange moved into the Director position in August 2017. Mr. Orange was promoted to Regional Director for all KEYS Academy schools in July 2022. Jonathan Samuel moved into the Director position in June 2026.
KEYS Academy-Charlottesville opened in August 2015 due to growing local needs, and serves students from Charlottesville City, Albemarle, Nelson, Louisa, and Fluvanna Counties. KEYS Academy-Charlottesville increased its student capacity from 25 to 32 seats with a multi-classroom addition in August 2019, and serves elementary, middle, and high school students with disabilities. Janna Kincaid served as Director from August 2015-July 2022. Dr. Kimberly Carpenter moved into the Director position in June 2026.
KEYS Academy-Augusta is our 3rd KEYS Academy School. KEYS Academy-Augusta opened in August 2018 due to growing local needs, and serves students from the counties of Augusta, Nelson, and Rockingham, and the cities of Charlottesville, Waynesboro, Harrisonburg and Staunton. KEYS Academy-Augusta has a 27 seat capacity, and serves elementary, middle, and high school students with disabilities. KEYS Academy-Augusta moved to a new site in Verona in June 2023. Brandy Wright served as out first Director from 2018-2024 until she moved into a Regional Director position in July 2024. Steve Sviatko took the helm of KEYS Academy-Augusta in June 2024.
In August 2020, we added our 4th KEYS Academy school in Caroline County in response to interest from Caroline County and the surrounding communities. KEYS Academy-Caroline serves students from the Counties of Caroline, Spotsylvania, Stafford, Henrico, Hanover, Essex, King William, King George and King and Queen and Price William Counties. KEYS Academy-Caroline has a 32 seat capacity, and serves elementary, middle, and high school students with disabilities. Charlene Gray served as our first Director from 2020-2024. Former KEYS Academy teacher Frank Shumaker moved into the Director role in June 2024.
KEYS Academy-Caroline also serves as the Billing and Operations center for all KEYS Academy schools. Catherine Haskins is the Director of Business and Operations for all four KEYS Academy schools.
In August 2023, Jermaine Morris was promoted to the Training Specialist position and provides training and leadership for all four KEYS Academy schools.
Our Philosophy
At KEYS Academy, we believe that each child is a unique individual who requires a secure, caring, and stimulating atmosphere in which to grow and mature. We offer intensive services which meet students where they are socially, emotionally, and academically, and provide instruction using specific social and emotional strategies and tools, so that students can operate from a sense of well-being and be available for blended learning opportunities in computer based, small group, and large group settings.
We believe that every student should have the opportunity to create and live his or her own life with self-determination, guided by the core principles of safety, dignity, and opportunity.
KEYS Academy takes pride in forming and nurturing excellent relationships with students, parents and LEAs.
What Our Students Say
One of the best parts about KEYS Academy is the fabulous staff. You all dedicate so much of your time to us and our needs, and you help us in ways that other teachers wouldn’t be able to. We are able to take a day and slow our pace without feeling left behind in classes. You want us to succeed and you want to see it happen without fundamentally changing who we are. You want us to be ourselves.
— KEYS Academy Student
Everybody here has made social slip-ups in their lives. We can’t change what we’ve done in the past, but we can improve ourselves so we don’t make the same mistakes in the future. We just need to remember to keep working hard to overcome our fears and get through our troubles. In the process of working on ourselves, we have days where we don’t feel so strong or confident. Staff and our peers are always here to support us and chat with us about things when we need it.
— KEYS Academy Student
This is the first school where I felt I could express myself and it was like a second home to me. It was the first time I ever felt safe to be myself and be the person I want to be. And I’m not afraid to tell the staff and my friends here if I’m mad, sad, or tired. And for the first time I was able to make connections with people who really want me to succeed.
— KEYS Academy Student
