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(WCCO) As the days of summer rolled to an end, Tyler Olson said he was looking forward to school this year. He said he was excited about "making new friends."

Tyler is a typical seventh-grader in every way but one: his autism, which makes it hard for him to process things teachers and peers tell him.

"I get confused really easy, and I don't know what to do. Usually I don't like getting embarrassed and stuff. It's just usually I get sad and mad if I get embarrassed," said Tyler.

Tyler's mom, Lynn, said he's always had trouble being mainstreamed into traditional classrooms.

"It kind of started out not too bad in your early ages where the kids are more accepting and everything is not really an academic-based," she said. "Academics become much more difficult and then you would see more behaviors come out from that."

Tyler's difficulty mainstreaming was one reason Lynn was thrilled to hear about Lionsgate Academy. Lionsgate is a school just for children like her son, children who are bright and eager to learn but need more supports.

"I thought 'What a wonderful concept for these kids that really are struggling through everyday life.' Some kids can be better at mainstreamed, and mine isn't," said Lynn.

Jodi Van Ness is the director of Lionsgate Academy.

"All of our classes are aligned with the standards," she said as she took WCCO's Amelia Santaniello on a tour of the school. "We will be providing the same services that a typical high school or middle school would be."

At Lionsgate, each room is designed with the traits of children with autism in mind.

"We've established corners in every room that have sensory things that they can go take a break, get their needs met but not leave their learning environment," said Ness.

In the corners are fidget toys for sensory stimulation and non-traditional seating like rocking chairs, where children can really get comfortable.

The classrooms and the curriculum at Lionsgate are designed to be flexible to accommodate students who learn differently.

"We will have a regular education teacher in each classroom and a special education teacher and they will be co-teaching," said Ness.

The school is modeled after schools in California and Florida that serve the same population: children with Autism who are high-functioning. It's the first of its kind here in Minnesota, and admittance to the school is in demand.

"We do have a waiting list," said Ness. "It's not as substantial as it was. We are serving the entire Metro in this location."

The school serves children from as far away as Marine on St. Croix and Big Lake. There are 77 students this year and they will all choose one of four pathways of learning, leading them to things like vocational training, jobs or college.

"We have students with IQs that are absolutely off the roof, all the way down to the students that really struggle because the autism so gets in the way of their learning," said Jodi.

For the time being, only children in grades six through 10 can attend Lionsgate, but that will change. Ness hopes to add one grade per year each year through grade 12.

"They don't have to change who they are here. They'll be able to be who they are and be respected for that. And then we'll meet the needs accordingly," said Ness.

Tyler ways he wants to be an inventor or an archaeologist when he grows up. Tyler's mom feels he's getting off to a great start on his goal.

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