Pepin Academies Named 2025 Yass Prize Contender for Innovation in Learning for Students with Disabilities

The Tampa Bay schools are among just 23 organizations nationwide competing for $1 million award

Pepin Academies, a network of public charter schools dedicated to serving students with learning disabilities, has been named a 2025 Yass Prize Contender—one of only 23 education organizations nationwide recognized for their innovative and transformational approach to learning.

Often called the “Pulitzer of Education Innovation,” the Yass Prize honors organizations that exemplify the STOP principles—Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless—by reimagining how education can better serve every student.

For more than 25 years, the Tampa Bay-based charter network has been redefining Exceptional Student Education (ESE) through a therapeutic educational model that integrates the standard curriculum with on-site therapies and mental health support. “Every child has dreams and potential, and our job is to remove the barriers that stand in their way,” said Dr. Jeff Skowronek, Executive Director of Pepin Academies. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication and passion of our incredible staff, who work every day to uncover the strengths in each student. For a quarter century, we’ve focused on educating the whole child—academically, emotionally, and socially—to meet each student where they are. Being named a Yass Prize Contender validates the innovation and impact of our approach and inspires us to expand it to reach even more students.”

What makes Pepin Academies uniquely innovative:

• Integrated therapies from speech-language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, mental health counselors, and behavioral specialists.
• Career and life skills programs include Culinary Arts, Welding, and Bicycle Repair that connect classroom learning to real-world skills.
• AI-powered pilot program to personalize learning and track progress in real-time to help teachers tailor interventions.
• Proven academic outcomes include a 94% graduation rate and exceptionally low dropout rate (0.87%) for students with disabilities.

Pepin Academies serves more than 1,200 students in grades 3-12 across three campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey, plus a Transition Program for students ages 18–22 focused on life and workforce readiness.

If selected as the $1 million Yass Prize winner, Pepin Academies plans to expand its therapeutic education model, enhance staff development, and strengthen programs that prepare students for life after graduation. The school is exploring new ways to grow, including adding grades K–2 to meet increasing early intervention needs.

The Yass Prize winner will be announced December 4 at theCenter for Education Reform Innovation Summit in Washington, D.C.

About Pepin Family Foundation

The Pepin Family Foundation is a family-led nonprofit focused on healthcare, education, and mental health and wellness services for frontline professionals. From its support of students with disabilities at Pepin Academies to its groundbreaking cardiac care at Pepin Heart Institute, the foundation’s initiatives embody a commitment to creating a stronger, healthier Tampa Bay. For more information, visit PepinFamilyFoundation.org.

About Pepin Academies

Pepin Academies is a Florida-based, not-for-profit network of independent public charter schools, first incorporated on April 20, 1999, in Tampa. The schools operate full-time Exceptional Student Education (ESE) programs for students with learning and learning-related disabilities in grades 3–12, as well as a Transition Program for students ages 18–22. All students have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). Pepin Academies’ mission is to empower students with learning disabilities to maximize their potential in a positive therapeutic educational environment. Pepin Academies has campuses in Tampa, Riverview, and New Port Richey. For more information, visit PepinAcademies.com.

About the Yass Prize

The Yass Prize for Sustainable, Transformational, Outstanding, and Permissionless education is a rapidly growing effort to find, reward, celebrate, and expand best-in-class education organizations from every sector and every state. The initiative aims to create unprecedented partnerships that accelerate impact and transform education for all students. For more information about the Yass Prize and to see the full list of 2025 contenders, visit YassPrize.org.