There is something sacred about watching a student hold her own book in her hands.
Recently, we had the joy of sitting down with Kacie Smith, Freedom Prep student and published author, as she autographed copies of The Dancing Words. Her mom, Sade, sat proudly beside her, smiling the kind of smile only a parent can wear when they have witnessed the journey up close.
Kacie began writing her book in 2022 when she was just seven years old and in third grade at our FPA Millbranch campus. She was always a creative student and never saw a challenge she couldn’t overcome. In just third grade, Kacie was turning her challenges into a published story.
When we asked what inspired her to write, she answered simply, “I had trouble spelling things. I wanted to tell other people that if I did it, you could do it too. When I wrote that book, it gave me a feeling.” That feeling became a message.
Kacie described how words sometimes felt like they were “dancing.” For her, reading quickly would cause letters to blur together, and frustration would follow. Her mom, Sade, shared that Kacie was diagnosed with a developmental delay at age two. Focus and comprehension were not always easy.
But what stood out most during our conversation with Kacie was not the challenge. It was Kacie’s determination. “She never gives up,” her mom said. “Even when she’s frustrated, if she’s determined to do something, you can’t stop her.”
That determination turned a moment of struggle into a mission. Kacie wanted other students who felt discouraged to know they were not alone.
She illustrated her own characters. She wrote the words. Over the course of a year, with encouragement and guidance at home, The Dancing Words came to life.
When we asked how it felt to first hold her published book, she paused. “Special,” she said. “Not bad, special. Just… great!” You can see it in her eyes. She means it.
Today, Kacie is thriving as a sixth grader at Freedom Prep Brownlee Middle. When she reflects on her early writing, she laughs a little at herself. She says her pages used to feel “sloppy.” Now she sees growth.
That is the beauty of education. Students grow in skill, in confidence, and in voice. One of the most powerful moments in our conversation came when we learned that Kacie’s family once drove 45 minutes each day so she could attend Freedom Prep. They later moved closer because they loved the experience so much.
Her mom shared thoughtful advice for families navigating school choice. “Think about the environment,” she said. “Think about the support your child will receive. Counseling. Social work. Teachers who are cheering for the students. Look at all the factors.”
When learning the stories about our students, teachers and families, we come across many journeys. But there is something especially meaningful about a family who chooses a school not because it is convenient, but because it is right for their children.
Kacie’s younger brother is still at Millbranch and will one day join her in middle school. Education is a family story in the Smith household.
As Kacie signed each copy of The Dancing Words, carefully writing personal messages, we could not help but think about the younger students who may one day read her words.
Somewhere, there is a third grader who feels frustrated when letters seem to move on the page. Somewhere, there is a child who needs to hear, “If I did it, you can do it too.”
Representation matters. Student voice matters. And when a seven year old decides that her challenge will become someone else’s encouragement, that is liberation in action.
Kacie is already talking about YouTube, future projects, and big dreams. When I asked what she would tell her younger self, she did not hesitate. She says, “Keep going. Follow your dreams. Don’t give up.”
That sounds like advice for all of us. At Freedom Prep, we believe our students are capable of extraordinary things. Sometimes those extraordinary things look like test growth. Sometimes they look like leadership. And sometimes, they look like a beautifully illustrated book written by a seven-year-old who refused to let the words win.
We are so proud of you, Kacie. And we cannot wait to see what you write next!
Learn more about Kacie and The Dancing Words here:
