Our History
Our History
1953
Since 1953, Potential Development has been serving children in our community with developmental delays. Originally incorporated as the United Cerebral Palsy Association under the leadership of Ms. Christine Kline, the organization laid the groundwork for what would become today’s regional leader in specialized education for students with autism.
Over the decades, the focus shifted exclusively to autism, evolving into a comprehensive nonprofit charter school serving over 300 students from preschool through 12th grade.
1976
Striving to accommodate the changing needs of the community and a decline in the need to provide services to children with cerebral palsy and physical disabilities, the Agency began to focus on helping children with developmental delays, particularly speech and language delays, and children with challenging behaviors. In 1976 the Agency was reincorporated and renamed “Potential Development Program Inc.” to better define the current programs and services.
Not long after, Potential Development (PD) staff saw an increasing number of children coming to the program with Autism Spectrum Disorder. To best meet the needs of these students, staff members participated in an intensive training program that concentrated on early intervention methods to help preschool-age children. As the preschool in Youngstown grew so did the need for services in Trumbull County. Therefore, PD began a partnership with the Children’s Rehabilitation Center to open a classroom for Trumbull County preschool-age children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.
2001
As the number of children being diagnosed with Autism continued to increase, PD staff realized that parents were intentionally holding their children back from kindergarten because the students were having difficulty transitioning into the public school system. To fill this gap in services, the Potential Development Program School of Autism, a non-public charter school, was opened in September 2001. At the time, the goal was to work with children in kindergarten through third grade, but parents began asking the agency to add classrooms to accommodate students through 8th grade. In response, PD gradually expanded services as the student body aged.
2013
In 2013, as Potential Development entered its 60th year of service, it once again expanded its services to include a high school. The expansion was driven by the needs and requests of the families of our students and will give students the opportunity to earn their high school diplomas. In addition to core classes, students benefit from life and work skill training courses to better prepare them for the real world.
2016
In the spring of 2016, Potential Development High School celebrated a major milestone with a ribbon-cutting ceremony marking the installation of a new elevator and the renovation of the building’s second floor. This transformative project not only improved accessibility, but also allowed us to significantly expand our educational offerings.
With the addition of eight new classrooms, the high school doubled its student enrollment—creating more opportunities for students with autism to thrive in a supportive, structured environment. This expansion marked a pivotal moment in our continued growth and commitment to meeting the needs of our community.
2017
In June 2017, Potential Development received a transformative $500,000 grant from The Youngstown Foundation’s Hine Memorial Fund to support the purchase of the former Anthem building at 2400 Market Street—located just across from our high school. This incredible opportunity marked a major step forward in our ongoing expansion.
Renovations to the first floor began immediately, resulting in the addition of seven classrooms, two therapy rooms, an activity room, and a sensory room—all completed in time for the first day of school in September. This expansion not only created a modern, functional space for our middle school students, but also freed up 11 classrooms at our 880 E. Indianola Avenue location, which was then designated as the new home of our growing preschool program.
This milestone further strengthened our ability to serve students with autism at every stage of their educational journey.
2018
In June 2018, continued growth made it clear that the second floor of our elementary and middle school building needed to be renovated to meet rising demand. The renovation project added six classrooms, a library, and a large activity room—completed just in time for the start of the 2018–2019 school year.
Our student body quickly filled the new space. Within just a few months, enrollment had surged by an impressive 44% compared to the previous school year. That same year, we celebrated two major milestones: surpassing 200 students enrolled and marking 65 years of service to the Mahoning Valley community.
2018 was a defining year that reflected both our rapid growth and our longstanding commitment to providing exceptional education for exceptional students.
2019
In the spring of 2019, Potential Development was awarded a $330,000 grant from the Hine Memorial Fund, allowing us to bring a long-awaited dream to life—a sensory-friendly playground at our Elementary/Middle School campus on Market Street in Youngstown. In addition to the playground, the grant also funded the renovation and furnishing of four new classrooms to help accommodate our growing enrollment. We proudly held a groundbreaking ceremony in August, just in time for the start of the 2019–2020 school year.
That same year, we adopted a multi-year strategic plan focused on long-term sustainability and growth. Key priorities included improving state funding models, enhancing staff recruitment and compensation, and diversifying our fundraising efforts. With this plan in place, we were better equipped to navigate the rapid growth of our school—and the unforeseen challenges that were soon to come.
2020
In March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced schools across the country to close—including Potential Development. While the shutdown brought unprecedented challenges, it also highlighted our strengths, our resilience, and our unwavering commitment to our students.
Our dedicated staff quickly pivoted to remote learning, ensuring that students with autism could continue their education in a stable, supportive environment from home. Thanks to their hard work and preparation, we welcomed the majority of our students back into the classroom by August 2020, with only a small percentage continuing remotely by choice.
The experience reinforced our adaptability and strengthened our systems. Today, Potential Development is well-prepared to shift seamlessly into virtual instruction if needed—ensuring that no student loses valuable academic progress, regardless of the circumstances.
2021
n 2021, Potential Development continued to adapt and evolve in response to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic. Every student was equipped with a Chromebook, ensuring access to technology both in the classroom and at home. Staff and leadership remained vigilant—proactively preparing for potential future waves of the virus or temporary closures, with systems in place to transition smoothly to remote learning if needed.
Like many organizations, our fundraising efforts took a hit—but thanks to the creativity and dedication of our team, we successfully hosted several virtual events that generated critical support for our programs. Throughout it all, we remained committed to operating efficiently while never compromising the quality of services provided to our students.
That commitment remains at the heart of everything we do—as we continue to grow, serve, and lead with purpose.
2022
In 2022, Potential Development took bold steps to expand student and family support services. A licensed full-time social worker joined the team to lead parent groups and connect families with valuable community resources.
Additionally, a school guidance counselor was brought on to provide individualized and small group support for students, helping them navigate both academic and personal development.
Post-pandemic, collaboration with local organizations reignited, bringing back and strengthening a variety of extracurricular and co-curricular activities. Students participated in physical fitness classes at the Jewish Community Center of Youngstown and the YMCA, while SMARTS (Students Motivated by the Arts) delivered regular visual and music arts programming on campus. A new art therapy initiative was also launched through the support of the HELMS Foundation, offering creative expression and emotional support in a structured setting.
In a forward-thinking move, an ESports program and dedicated classroom were established thanks to the generosity of the Daprile Insurance Group—introducing students to teamwork, strategy, and technology in an exciting and modern way.
2022 marked a year of renewed connection, innovation, and whole-child support, further strengthening our mission to help every student thrive.
2023
2023 marked a milestone year as Potential Development proudly celebrated its 70th anniversary of serving students with autism in the Mahoning Valley. Enrollment reached an all-time high with 245 students across our three campuses—proof of the continued demand for our specialized educational programs.
In June, we held a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a brand-new Outdoor Fitness Space at the high school, designed to promote physical health, sensory regulation, and social interaction in a safe and structured environment. This project was made possible through the generous support of numerous community partners and charitable foundations, including:
PGA Golfer Jason Kokrak
Poland Rotary
Frances & Lillian Schermer Charitable Trusts
William M. Neckerman Charitable Foundation
Senator Maurice & Florence Lipscher Charitable Fund
Thomases Family Endowment
J. Ford Crandall Memorial Fund
Frank & Pearl Gelbman Foundation
The Youngstown Foundation
Schwebel Family Foundation
Community Foundation of the Mahoning Valley
Kennedy Family Fund
Young Philanthropist Fund
William Swanston Charitable Fund
Delfin Gilbert Fund for Disadvantaged Children & Youth
Their collective generosity brought this vision to life and gave our students a dynamic space to grow physically, socially, and emotionally.
2024
In 2024, Potential Development reached new heights—serving over 300 students with autism across preschool through 12th grade. With students representing more than 30 school districts across three counties, this year marked the largest enrollment increase in school history—an 18% rise that reflects both community trust and the growing need for specialized education.
To support this growth, the school expanded its footprint by adding new classrooms at all three campuses, updating sensory rooms to better meet student needs, and installing a student workout gym at the Elementary/Middle School to promote physical wellness and self-regulation.
The year also brought exciting new initiatives:
A PD Alumni Group was launched to keep graduates connected.
A redesigned logo and website elevated the school’s brand and communication efforts.
Increased engagement with local government leaders and grant partners strengthened our ability to serve students and families.
Most importantly, 14 seniors graduated in 2024—each completing a unique, personalized journey to their diploma. Their success reflects the heart of our mission: to provide highly individualized education in a nurturing, state-of-the-art environment that empowers students to reach their fullest potential.