A Gift for Growth from the Hakomaki / Moore Family

Bill Moore and Allison Hakomaki with their two children in front of Rundle Academy.

With a generous donation of $25,000 over five years, Rundle Academy parents Allison Hakomaki and Bill Moore are helping to ensure our school has the facilities and resources to support the learning needs and enrolment of current and future students. 

“We have so much gratitude that our son got in because we saw the change in him,” Allison says. “And to think there are so many kids in Calgary that need focused education, kids that have learning disabilities. It’s through building the new facility that [Rundle will] be able to help so many.”

When their son was diagnosed with a learning disability in grade 3, the family began searching for independent schools in Calgary that offer specialized learning support. Rundle Academy received a strong endorsement from family, and, after exploring a variety of schools, they decided that Rundle was the right fit for their son.

“They integrated him so easily, and it’s been wonderful,” Allison says. “We would say it’s been transformational. He went from hating school to loving it. He says ‘I feel so calm there.’”

Bill is proud to see his son thriving in his new learning environment. “The big thing he was struggling with was his self-confidence, as a result of being a little bit embarrassed in school because he wasn’t able to keep up with the other kids. That all turned around remarkably quickly at Rundle. … We can’t even begin to compare where he was a year ago to where he is now. He loves school, and he looks forward to going. He’s excited to tell us about school when he gets home. It’s really refreshing.”

Bill says he is also grateful to Rundle Academy for helping parents understand the world from a struggling student’s perspective.

“Rundle is helping parents learn and grow. We went to a workshop, and we all did exercises that simulated the challenges kids face when they have a learning disability. Never in my wildest dreams could I imagine it being that difficult. It was a real eye-opener, and it’s all part of the entry process for parents.”

Through their journey, Allison says they have both realized just how vital Rundle Academy is for children and families who require this additional support. “Our experience exploring other schools was to sit through an open house and then get told ‘don’t bother applying as the waitlist is too long.’ There is so much need; what options are there for all those children and families? The fact that Rundle wants to open enrolment so more kids can be helped – I think it’s really important for the city.”

Bill agrees: “It’s the fact that they’re doing it internally, themselves. … It’s ‘let’s do this, let’s get together, let’s raise the money.’ That’s the part I really admire, and so does Allison.”

“There’s a real sense of community among the parents,” he adds. “We’ve met some really nice folks, and we hope we will continue to. I’m sure we will. Their sense of community is what stood out the most, and that’s what makes it easy to get behind this initiative.”