Queensland School for Autistic Kids Secures 25-Year Lease

Raeleigh Kemp sometimes laughs with joy after dropping off her 11-year-old son Zane at school because he now runs to the gates excited to learn. Just two years ago, he would sprint to her car in tears, shutting down from the overwhelming pressures of traditional school.

Zane is autistic, and for years he struggled in conventional classrooms. The cognitive load became so intense that he stopped speaking and couldn't make eye contact with his own mother.

Everything changed when he enrolled at The Sycamore School in Alexandra Hills, Queensland. The private facility specializes in educating autistic young people from prep through year 10, with nearly 100 students currently enrolled.

"Honestly, I don't know where we'd be if we didn't get into Sycamore," Kemp said. "One hundred percent, his life has changed."

The school is so sought after that some families drive almost 50 kilometers each way for drop-off. But last year, its future hung in the balance when its lease was set to expire in October.

This week, the Queensland government delivered life-changing news. Officials signed a 25-year lease agreement, securing the school's future for generations to come.

Finance Minister Ros Bates said the long-term lease provides a crucial lifeline. The extended agreement allows administrators to apply for capital grants vital to continued operations.

The school had been operating on a temporary lease since October while negotiating the new terms. The state government has also committed to building seven new special schools across the southeast.

Why This Inspires

Zane now advocates for himself, has built meaningful friendships, and found a community where he belongs. When he's too sick to attend school, he cries because he wants to be there.

For Kemp, the thought of telling her son his school might close was horrifying. "He's found a community, he's found friends and people that he trusts," she said.

The transformation extends beyond one child. Nearly 100 families now have certainty that their children's educational home will remain stable for decades.

Knowing the school will serve future generations brings Kemp hope for other families facing similar struggles with their autistic children. "There needs to be more of them," she said.