Why This June Carries More Weight—And More Wonder
by Jacqui Byrne
June is racing towards us, with its signature whirlwind of emotions: the exuberance of field day; the pride (and pressure!) of final projects; the buzz of prom plans; and the cheers – and tears – of graduation day.
For me, this June’s arrival carries more weight – and more wonder – than most. Because at FlexSchool, we’re not just celebrating the close of another school year. We’re marking the culmination of our tenth year, and the inaugural year of 2e 101. It’s also the year that FlexSchool’s mission achieved new levels of recognition within the gifted community, earning the prestigious NJAGC 2025 Developing Minds Award. While this accolade has my name on it, it really belongs to our entire FlexSchool community – our leaders and teachers, our parents, and especially the students themselves.
When we first opened our doors, we had just seven students and a vision: to create a space where twice-exceptional (2e) learners could thrive as they are. No masks, no pretending, no squeezing into boxes that were never meant to fit. Just real learning, real belonging, and the freedom to grow.
That vision has carried us through ten years of discovery, challenge, and joy. And this year, through the launch of 2e 101, we’ve been able to share what we’ve learned with parents and educators around the world. The response has been humbling. It’s reminded us how many families are still searching for answers, and how much impact we can have by simply telling the truth about 2e kids – and offering tools that honor their complexity and their potential. (We’re also working on how to bring these families deeper into the fold, and let them experience the same sense of community that our FlexSchool families enjoy. If you’d like to be a part of it, you can join our invitation list here.)
And speaking of June, I want to share a moment that has stuck with me. A few years ago, one of our teachers thought it would be fun to put up a daily countdown to summer on the classroom wall—something cheerful, like you’d see in most schools. But to our surprise, the students asked us to take it down.
They weren’t counting the days to get out. They weren’t dreaming of escape. They loved being at school—this school. Where they felt safe. Where they felt known. Where they finally found people who “get” them.
It caught us off guard at the time. And to be honest, I still tear up a little when I think about it. Because that moment—small as it was—said something profound. It reminded us that FlexSchool wasn’t just working—it had become a sacred space to our students.
But it also reminded us that our work can’t stop at the classroom door.
Because June comes, whether we count it down or not. And whether they’re just leaving for summer recess, or for college and beyond, our kids need to be able to find that same sense of purpose and connection out in the wider world. That’s why one of the most important things we can do is help them carry the FlexSchool mindset with them: Stay curious. Follow your passions. Seek out like-minded peers. Trust that what lights you up is worth pursuing.
Whether it’s in a summer program, a creative project, a deep dive into a favorite topic, or just a little more freedom to be themselves, we want our students to keep practicing the same habits that help them grow all year long. Not because summer should look like school—but because when you’ve found the things that light you up, the learning never really stops.
So as we close out the school year and reflect on everything we’ve built together—both in the last ten months and the last ten years—I hope you’ll celebrate with us. Not just what we’ve done, but what comes next.
Because we’re not counting down anymore. We’re looking up.
Do you know someone who could benefit from learning more about 2e? Please invite them to visit the links below!
Take the 2e Quiz | Visit 2e 101 | Subscribe | Facebook | Instagram
Jacqui Byrne is the visionary behind FlexSchool—an accredited private school serving gifted, neurodivergent, and twice-exceptional (2e) students. An award-winning educational leader, internationally recognized expert, and passionate advocate for the neurodivergent, Jacqui serves on the advisory board for the Bridges Graduate School of Cognitive Diversity in Education and holds a degree from Yale University.
