Ionia ISD’s Freedom Acres Campus
How Ionia County ISD Creates Possibilities for Students With Disabilities
At the edge of Ionia, tucked between quiet fields and a small residential neighborhood, the Freedom Acres School campus is humming with energy. Inside, students sort materials for classroom jobs, practice communication through picture-exchange boards, and learn everyday routines that will help them thrive long after graduation.
Freedom Acres, operated by Ionia County Intermediate School District (ISD), serves about 120 students from five surrounding districts – Belding, Ionia, Lakewood, Portland, and Saranac. Each learner receives highly individualized support through programs for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Moderate and Severe Cognitive Impairments (MoCI/SCI), and Emotional Impairments (EI). Teachers, therapists, and paraeducators work side by side, blending academics with the skills needed for communication, independence, and social connection.
A School Designed for Every Learner
In 2024, the ISD completed a significant expansion on the Freedom Acres’ campus with the opening of the Autism Education Center, a separate facility featuring specially designed classrooms to better serve students with their specific needs. This new building followed recent expansion and renovations at the Freedom Acres main building, which added quieter classroom zones, flexible settings for sensory engagement, and an outdoor play area and walking paths designed for mobility access.
Learning That Works Across the Day
Freedom Acres and the Autism Education Center aren’t just places for classroom instruction – they are hubs of coordinated support. Teachers, Occupational Therapists, Physical Therapists, Speech-Language Pathologists, and Paraeducators work together to build students’ functional skills; including communication, hygiene, motor skills, and job-prep.
Another example of this rural ISD’s work includes students with moderate cognitive impairments working on readiness activities like telling time, personal information, and self-care; while older MoCI students focus on post-school living and vocational routines. “All of our programs demonstrate how our ISD provides support to a full range of learners with disabilities,” said Ethan Ebenstein, Superintendent of Ionia County ISD.
Autism Learning Center’s Goal:
An autism learning center typically helps students build skills across communication, social interaction, daily living, and academics—all tailored to each learner’s developmental level and Individualized Education Program (IEP) goals.
Staff and Systems Making It Possible
All programs at Freedom Acres operate under the Ionia County ISD’s special education department under the direction of Natalie Fuller, Associate Superintendent of Special Education. The department oversees evaluation, therapy services, and coordination across the county’s five districts and three rural schools.
With modern facilities and well-trained staff, the school empowers educators and paraeducators to deliver targeted support every day. As a result, students aren’t waiting for help; they’re learning in a place crafted for their needs.
Sources:
Ionia County Intermediate School District. (2025). Freedom Acres School. https://www.ioniaisd.org/our-schools/freedom-acres-school/ioniaisd.org
Ionia County Intermediate School District. (2025). Programs – Freedom Acres School. https://www.ioniaisd.org/our-schools/freedom-acres-school/programs/ ioniaisd.org
Triangle Associates, Inc. (2024). Freedom Acres School – Addition & Renovation. https://www.triangle-inc.com/projects/freedom-acres-school/ Triangle Associates
The Daily News. (2024, October 26). “A Safe Space for Learning.” https://www.thedailynews.cc/articles/a-safe-space-for-learning/
