To the School that felt like a Second Home
By Megan Browne, Class of 2025
For most of my life, school was something I really struggled with. I’ve had 504s and IEPs for as long as I can remember. Starting all the way back in elementary school where I grew up being pulled out of class every day to get extra help. When middle school started I worked really hard just to keep up, and even when I did well, it was because I had pushed myself to the limit. I had tutors, I had accommodations — but what I really needed was more one-on-one support.
I remember freezing up during any sort of group work, feeling like I was always ten steps behind. Other kids would finish their part in ten minutes, whereas I’d still be re-reading the instructions trying to understand the assignment. It made me feel like I wasn’t smart enough, even though everyone kept telling me I was — just that I “learned differently.” It was hard to believe that when nothing about school made me feel confident.
That started to change when I found EAS at the end of my eighth grade year. I chose EAS for the small class sizes and how the school really focuses on meeting students where they are. And from my first day of freshman year, I could tell it was different. Even if a teacher’s style didn’t match mine at first, the environment made it so much easier to ask questions and get help — without feeling embarrassed or behind.
Some teachers even went out of their way to adjust how they taught, which made a huge difference. One of my favorite teachers, Steve, used to check in with us and ask how we wanted to learn something — sometimes even giving us a few options for how lessons would be taught. That kind of flexibility meant a lot to me.
And then there’s Amanda… my wonderful math teacher of all four years. Math used to be my least favorite subject, and somehow, she turned it into my favorite. Her class never felt like she was just lecturing at us. We worked through problems together, we got involved, we were part of it. I asked a lot of questions (like… a lot), and Amanda never made me feel bad for it. Her class made me feel capable. It was one of the first times I really believed I could do something I used to think I couldn’t.
Before EAS, I always felt like I was “less than” in school. Like I had to work twice as hard just to prove I belonged. But this place helped me gain back my confidence. It made me feel smart — not just because I got good grades, but because I understood things. Because I finally had the support I needed.
That confidence gave me the courage to go after things I never thought I could. Around sophomore year, I got a job at a local swimwear store and shortly after became their social media manager and assistant buyer. I’ve always loved fashion, but that job helped me see it as a real path. Then in junior year, I pitched the idea of starting an Instagram page for EAS, and with support from Jennifer and Ryan, I got to run the account myself! I came up with content ideas, filmed and edited videos, and posted throughout junior and senior year. That hands-on experience played a huge role in helping me figure out what I want to do next.
This fall, I’ll be heading to LIM College in New York City to study Fashion Merchandising. It still feels kind of surreal to say that. A few years ago, I didn’t think a school like that was even possible for me. But both my job and my time at EAS helped me believe in myself.
EAS gave me more than just an education. It gave me confidence. It gave me a community. And it gave me space to grow into the version of myself I didn’t know I could be!
Looking back, it wasn’t just the academics or the assignments that made the difference, it was the people and the way they showed up for me. EAS gave me the kind of support I needed, and I’m really grateful I found this place when I did. I’m proud of how far I’ve come, and I know that everything I’ve learned at EAS is something I’ll carry with me long after graduation.
