2024 Professional Profile: The Barrett School

Adrienne Seaborn and Audrey Hill

Every student deserves to learn in an equitable environment. The Barrett School, set to welcome its first class of pre-K through 12th grade students in August 2024, believes in classrooms that cater to each student.

The Barrett School was started by a group of community leaders, teachers and therapists who saw the need in Destin for a private school and clinic dedicated to serving neurotypical and neurodiverse students.

The school’s mission is to promote hands-on activities, emphasize STEM education and play theory and take these lessons outside of the classroom walls. These educational experiences aim to inspire students to foster their passions, spark creativity, become technologically savvy and lead with environmental stewardship.

A unique aspect that bolsters a successful educational experience is The Barrett School’s therapy clinic, which offers behavior analysis therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, counseling, play therapy, tutoring and more.

The Colony Clinic is a team of pediatric therapists and specialists led by clinical directors Adrienne Seaborn and Audrey Hill. They are committed to helping students achieve academic, social and emotional success in the classroom and beyond.

Seaborn and Hill observe students in the classroom so they can best gauge natural reactions and interactions. Observing in this natural environment can help the therapists determine whether the issues are academic or behavioral. The therapists then work alongside teachers, aides, staff and parents to best identify any support or therapy a child might need.

“By observing, we can identify any deficits, so no student falls through the cracks,” said Seaborn. “We can also access areas in which they excel. All of this contributes to educational and social success for everyone.”

While the emphasis is on the students, Seaborn and Hill aim to impact the families as well. Having a child with disabilities or who is struggling in school can often put a strain on the entire family, which they aim to alleviate by working with students to eliminate educational barriers and provide life skills such as coping with and regulating emotions.

“Every time we work with a child or family, it is to help make that child as independent as possible by giving them the tools and techniques to be the best version of themselves,” said Hill.

The Barrett School

4405 Commons Drive East, Destin | thebarrettschoolfl.org