She Started in Her Basement. Now She’s Running a Christian School for Students with Special Needs
- Pauline Rivera
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
When Meghan Melchor stepped away from her role as a special education teacher to raise her young children, she didn’t expect to start a school. But after one heartfelt email from a desperate mom whose son was drowning in middle school, Meghan realized she couldn’t say no—and didn’t want to.
That one student became two. Then three. Then four. Today, Meghan runs Lionheart Academy, a microschool that serves middle and high school students with severe autism, intellectual delays, and communication needs—and she’s doing it all with love, prayer, and partnership from her local church.
The Need No One Was Meeting
As a trained special ed teacher and mom, Meghan saw firsthand how families of children with high needs were being left behind. One student she served had an above-average IQ but struggled with social situations. School became traumatic. His mother, a single parent, reached out to Meghan for help.
That “yes” became a turning point. Other families—especially those in her church—began reaching out too. Some had pulled their kids out of public school. Others were homeschooling but exhausted. Many just wanted an environment where their child would be seen, safe, and supported.
Who Lionheart Serves
Today, Lionheart Academy works with 4 students, all in middle or high school. Three are nonverbal or minimally verbal with severe autism, and one has a genetic disorder that causes intellectual delays.
Most students function at a second- or third-grade academic level. Their needs range from behavioral support to communication challenges to sensory sensitivities. While their disabilities are significant, Meghan emphasizes that they are sweet, unique, and capable of growth—given the right environment.
“Our kiddos live with that constant frustration of not being able to communicate what they’re thinking or needing,” Meghan explains. “And sometimes that just boils over.”
That’s why she keeps her student-to-adult ratio low, uses individualized support plans, and welcomes outside therapists on campus.
A School Fueled by Faith, Volunteers, and Church Partnership
Lionheart began in Meghan’s basement—a space she adapted while juggling motherhood and homeschooling her own children. Eventually, as her family grew, she knew she needed a separate space.
She reached out to The Benton Church, and Pastor Justin Lefto not only opened their doors—he opened his heart. The church now hosts Lionheart Academy rent-free and has embraced the ministry as its own.
“I told him we needed a space by February,” Meghan said. “And he just said, ‘Okay.’”
What Meghan didn’t know was that Pastor Justin had recently been challenged by a young man with cerebral palsy who asked him: “What is your church doing for the special needs community?” That moment of conviction made him ready to say yes when Lionheart came calling.
A Model Worth Replicating
Lionheart meets three days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday)—a schedule that allows Meghan to balance her role as both educator and mom. While most of the students’ families currently have flexible schedules, she acknowledges that expanding to full-time or more accessible formats may be needed in the future.
Meghan believes there is a huge need for more Christian microschools that serve children with high needs.
“There’s no Christian option for a child with significant special needs right now,” she says. “Catholic schools are often more inclusive, but in general, these families have nowhere to go.”
She hopes Lionheart can become a model—not just for what’s possible, but for what’s doable when Christians follow a tug from the Lord.
For Others Who Feel the Tug
To those considering starting something similar, Meghan says:
“If your heart is being tugged, take that seriously. Pray. Surrender. And trust that God will provide what you need.”
She credits organizations like HERO and the Herzog Foundation with giving her the confidence and tools she needed. But ultimately, it was a journey of daily obedience—and showing up even on the hard days.
“There were days I didn’t want to go downstairs to my own basement,” she admits. “But God met me there—and He met the kids there, too.”
Learn More About Lionheart Academy
📍 Lionheart Academy – Benton, KS
📱 Facebook: Lionheart Academy Kansas
Whether you're a parent of a high-needs student, a pastor with unused classrooms, or a former teacher feeling the nudge to start something new—Lionheart’s story proves that God can do a lot with just one yes.
This blog post was generated from the following episode of the WISE and Otherwise Podcast with Dalena Wallace. Find more at:
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