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Perspective Newsletters
Winter 2007 - 2008
Albert D. Leary
Page 3
 The
board of directors of Lincolnia Educational Foundation, Inc., administration and
staff and students at all the Leary School programs were saddened by the death of
the founder of our program – Albert D. Leary, Jr. – on December 13, 2007.
Mr. Leary was born in Arlington, Massachusetts on March 29, 1929. He attended Georgetown
University and American University, graduating with a degree in education. Mr. Leary
and his wife, Barbara, settled in northern Virginia in November 1956 following Mr.
Leary's tour as a helicopter pilot in the United States Marine Corps. In September
1957, Mr. Leary accepted a position teaching seventh grade at St. Anthony’s, a parochial
school, in Falls Church, Virginia. Mr. Leary began to supplement his income by tutoring
students who needed additional help. With the support of his principal, he also started
an annual summer school for underachievers at the parochial school. Through his daily
tutoring and the summer school program, Mr. Leary estimated that at least 20% of
the children in the school would benefit from special help and became convinced that
a small, private school with a dedicated, caring staff was the most realistic solution.
In the spring of 1964, Mr. Leary stopped by the home of a Navy captain and his wife
to discuss their son. During the visit, the captain asked him what his long term
plans were and Mr. Leary began to describe the private school he hoped to start "some
day". When the captain asked, "What's stopping you?", Mr. Leary indicated a lack
of funding. The captain immediately told Mr. Leary that he and many other parents
would certainly be willing to help fund such a school.
That night, Mr. Leary and his wife discussed the idea of accepting help to found
a school for underachievers, ultimately deciding to pursue it. Mr. Leary spoke with
friends and many parents, finding very strong support. Following months of hard work
and planning, in September 1965, Leary School opened its doors to the first 26 students
in Annandale, Virginia.
In 1964, he had the vision, concern and drive to attempt to provide "specialized
and individualized" education to students who were not progressing in traditional
classrooms. He also had the courage to accept the huge risk associated with doing
so privately. History has shown that he was right in doing so. Students for so many
years benefited greatly because of his vision, dedication, and risk.
In 1969, to meet the increasing needs of students who required more intensive treatment
in a 24 hour a day environment, Leary Educational Foundation, a nonprofit organization,
was formed. In 1971, Leary Educational Foundation opened a residential treatment
center near Winchester, Virginia. Initially named Leary Educational Center, this
facility continues to operate under the name of Timber Ridge.
There are many stories, events and trials that, each in their own way, reinforce
the importance and impact of his mission. Leary School was providing special education
in Northern Virginia long before the first national law required this type of programming.
In the 1970s, Leary School provided comprehensive programming to students with special
needs that included, among other components: individual and group therapy, art therapy,
psychodrama, recreational therapy, outdoor education, and a comprehensive vocational
department. Students with special needs were very well cared for and provided incredible
support and specialized programming.
Perhaps the jobsite programming that is now over 20 years old is a fair example of
some of Al Leary's legacy. In 1986, Leary School purchased a building lot and a residential
home in need of repair. In three years' time, the students and staff renovated the
existing home and built a new residential home on the adjoining lot. No other private,
special education school, perhaps anywhere, had done such a thing. To this day, the
Leary School Job Site programming has renovated three residential homes and built
seven new homes. Currently, there are three job site programs in operation by the
Leary Schools. To this day, no other private school anywhere that provides students
with special needs exists at this level of practical vocational programming.
Students attending the Leary School programs have been provided meaningful and rich
experiences. Mr. Leary saw to it personally. He encouraged the staff to deliver highly
individualized and effective academic instruction and to go over and above. He encouraged
staff to go further as well, to find ways to enrich the lives of others. Camping,
water skiing, fishing, hiking, working in the community, participating in team sports,
going to professional basketball games, all found their way into the Leary School
curriculum.
Al Leary may have passed but his vision remains. There are thousands of students
in the area whose lives have been changed for the better because of his vision and
what he started. He will certainly be missed. We extend our deepest condolences to
his wife, Barbara, and all of his children and family.
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