For many neurodivergent individuals and their families, finding a learning environment that recognizes and supports the whole person can be life-changing. That’s exactly what Bloom360 Learning Community provides—and thanks to recent grants from the Wispact Foundation, access to that kind of learning is becoming more possible for families across southeastern Wisconsin.
Located in East Troy, Bloom360 is more than a school. It’s a nonprofit learning community serving neurodivergent learners from childhood through young adulthood. With a model built around social-emotional development, sensory awareness, and learner-led education, Bloom360 aims to reignite the joy of learning.
“Our mission is to provide a safe, engaging space where learners are seen, heard, and supported,” says Laura Rauman, Founder and President. “The traditional education system wasn’t built for how our learners experience the world. We created something different.”
Wispact Foundation grants have helped Bloom360 address two major access barriers: tuition and transportation. This year alone, the school awarded $38,000 in scholarships, with Wispact support playing a pivotal role in making learning financially accessible for many families. The transportation program, also partially funded through Wispact, helps learners commute from Milwaukee and Waukesha Counties—distances of up to 50 miles each way.
For families, the impact is immediate. “Having the transportation service is HUGE! It gave us back 4 hours of our day that we used to spend driving,” shared Nicole and Chris, parents of a Bloom360 learner. Another parent added, “We get back almost 6 hours a week and 220 miles off our vehicle. That’s time I can now spend earning income to help cover tuition. We’re on one income with two disabled dependents—this funding is crucial.”
Inside Bloom360, growth is evident—not just academically, but in how learners relate to themselves and others. “Emily really is a different person since becoming part of Bloom,” said Cindy, her parent. “She has learned to communicate more easily… her confidence has soared.”
Learning Guides, who serve as both mentors and educators, witness the relational strength of the Bloom360 model every day. “When I ask learners what their favorite thing is about Bloom, most of the time they say the people—the Learning Guides and their peers. The relationships here are so unique,” says Mikayla, a Learning Guide at Bloom.
The team culture at Bloom360 is also something special. As Sarah Kendall, Director of Marketing and Development, shares: “It’s such a positive, joy-filled environment. What I do every day makes a meaningful impact—it’s about helping young people become their best selves, not just about the bottom line.”
Bloom360’s commitment to nurturing the whole person extends beyond its walls through its Community Learning Lab—offering workshops and coaching to caregivers, dental professionals, and others in the community who work with neurodivergent individuals. “It’s all about increasing compassion and understanding,” said Sarah. “Growing a network of people with skills and strategies to help creates a 360 degree nurturing environment.”
Bloom360 just launched a new post-high school program called Biz Path where young adults team up to create and run a microbusiness. This three-year program uses microbusinesses to support young adults in developing independence and real-world work experience while exploring paths toward meaningful work, volunteering, or entrepreneurship, all grounded in the same social-emotional model.
“We’re blending our education model with real-world business skills,” explains Laura. “And we’re inviting the community to be part of it—whether through donating, volunteering, or helping us secure a much-needed second van for transportation.”
To learn more about Bloom360 Learning Community and how you can support their mission, visit www.bloom360.org.
Together, we can help more learners discover their purpose, build confidence, and thrive.