Edison Academy was established in 1990 by Linda Wulle, its creator and founding Director. Linda had worked with students with learning disabilities as a Special Educator in the public schools for about twenty years. After leaving the public school system, she launched Dynamic Learning in 1987, a very successful educational therapy practice in North San Diego County. She discovered undeveloped potential in these students whose basic educational needs fell far short of their potential to succeed. During this time, Linda was invited to create an educational therapy program for UCSD Extension.
Linda opened the Edison Academy, a one-room school with eight students. In subsequent years, the school grew rapidly, serving students with mild to moderate learning disabilities. Linda was inspired by the story of Thomas Edison, who as a student struggled to fit into the school system. Edison had a highly individualized style of acquiring knowledge. He had a curious, inquiring mind that perceived learning as an adventure. As an adult, Edison was a successful innovator and inventor. Linda was inspired by his story and the school was named after him.
Edison Academy, which spans grades 3 through 8, was located at a unique school site on Rancho Santa Fe Road. The natural, relaxed environment reflected Linda’s philosophy of a place conducive to the development of a well rounded student. It had aviaries, bunny hutches and a school mascot, Eddie or Edison, an iguana.
Having accomplished one task, Linda had the vision to launch a regular private school, where Edison Academy students could be mainstreamed. This school is the Rancho Encinitas Academy, which was started in 1995, on the site that was previously a nursery. Her husband Paul Wulle, a teacher of many years, joined her to become co-Director of the Rancho Encinitas Academy. In 2002, the Edison Academy was moved to the new school site so that both programs could be under her watchful, creative eye. The Edison Academy merged with the private school, Rancho Encinitas Academy. Today, the Edison Academy is a school within a school.
EDISON QUOTE: “If we all did the things we are really capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves.”
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