Countywide school serving neurodivergent students is searching for a new home

A nonprofit school serving students from across Volusia County is scrambling to relocate after its landlord declined to renew the lease at its longtime South Daytona campus. According to ClickOrlando, Chase Academy has operated from South Daytona Plaza for more than 15 years and now serves 73 students with a staff of 30.

While the school is not in Edgewater, the issue has clear countywide relevance because Chase Academy serves autistic and neurodivergent children and young adults across Volusia County. For Edgewater families who rely on specialized education options outside their immediate neighborhood, the school’s uncertain future could affect transportation, continuity of services and planning for the next school year.

Why the move is so difficult

Founder Miriam Lundell told the station that the school had recently invested heavily in its current facility and had been preparing for expansion rather than relocation. She said the organization had put tens of thousands of dollars into customizing the space, making a sudden move especially costly for a nonprofit operation. Savings that had been set aside for growth may now have to be redirected toward simply reopening somewhere else.

Lundell said the school was blindsided by the decision not to renew the lease. A new company, Pinnacle Leasing and Management Group, took over the shopping plaza about two years ago. ClickOrlando reported that the landlord has allowed Chase Academy to remain through mid-June so the current school year can be completed, but after that the school’s future location remains unresolved.

Why Edgewater families may want to watch this closely

For parents in Edgewater and Southeast Volusia, this is the kind of county education story that can quickly become personal. Specialized schools often draw students from multiple cities because comparable programs are limited. If Chase Academy is forced to move farther away, reduce services or pause operations, families could face difficult choices about transportation, scheduling and educational support.

No replacement site had been announced in the source report. That means the coming weeks could be critical for families, staff and students trying to understand what options will be available after the school year ends. Residents who know families connected to Chase Academy may want to follow updates closely as the school searches for space and tries to preserve services for students who depend on a stable learning environment.