| Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs DBA: Newton Learning Center Media contact: RJ Larrieu (775) 358-0808 Rebeccaj@secondstart.org www.secondstart.org |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Newton Reimagined thanks to the E. L. Wiegand Foundation
Newton Learning Center Awarded $267,000 E. L. Wiegand Foundation Grant to Transform Student Learning and Outdoor Spaces
RENO, NV — 1/26/2026 — Newton Learning Center is proud to announce it has been awarded a $267,000 grant from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation. This significant investment will fund critical upgrades to the school’s facilities, including new classroom furniture, furnishings, technology, and a brand-new outdoor playground structure.
The grant is designed to enhance the educational environment for students at Newton Learning Center, a private K-12 school in Reno that specializes in serving students on the higher end of the Autism Spectrum and similar disabilities who can benefit from a small, social-cognitive setting. The total funding of $267,000 is allocated to several key areas including a new outdoor playground structure (including demolition and site preparation); classroom technology upgrades; classroom furniture and furnishings; and, specialized sensory equipment.
“We are incredibly honored to receive this support from the E. L. Wiegand Foundation,” said Tara Bevington, Executive Director of Newton Learning Center. “This grant allows us to provide our students with the high-quality, individualized environment they need to thrive. From modernizing our classrooms with new technology to creating a safe, engaging outdoor space, these improvements will have a profound impact on our students’ academic and social growth.”
“By providing our students access to quality furniture, cutting-edge technology, and safe places to play, we’re telling them they matter. We’re incredibly grateful to the E. L. Wiegand Foundation for believing in our mission and the students we serve” says RJ Larrieu, Newton School Director.
This partnership with the E. L. Wiegand Foundation underscores a shared commitment to fostering innovation and supporting the unique needs of the Reno community.
About Newton Learning Center: Newton Learning Center, a program of Second Start Learning Disabilities Programs, is a social-cognitive private school in Reno, Nevada, serving students in grades K-12. Licensed by the Nevada Department of Education, the school provides an individualized academic and social approach for students who benefit from a smaller, more supportive learning environment.