Michael and Iara Gustafson started Atlas Academy in September of 2018 (then known as Dracut Children’s House) for their son Kash, who was one-and-a-half at the time.
Prior to that, Michael was a Kindergarten teacher for four years in Dracut. During his time there, he earned a Master’s degree in Early Childhood Education, and he tutored students on the side in all grades up through high school.
One day, in June of 2018, Michael submitted his resignation letter to his principal, and drove down the street to sign a lease with the building owner at 112 Sladen St. in Dracut.
It was a big leap, but Michael and Iara were willing to risk it all to build a school for their son.
They started in an empty building with no students; and now they are in their third year with 4 classrooms and over 60 students ranging from toddler up through 3rd grade.
Looking forward, they will continue to grow and add grades each year up through high school.