Our Story
Advocacy & Engagement Inspire Us Daily.
Our Mission
One Classroom is dedicated to creating inclusive Catholic educational opportunities for students with disabilities and their peers. Through fundraising, promotional events, professional development, and community networking, we enable parishes to support, schools to provide, and families to advocate for inclusive Catholic education.
Our Story
Inspired by their son Christopher, Tony and LeeAnn Armitage founded One Classroom in 2015. Their mission was simple: make it possible for students with special needs to attend Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of St. Louis. Guided by the Holy Spirit, what started with two students at their parish, Mary Queen of Peace, has expanded to more than 28 schools serving 110+ students, and continues to grow.
One Classroom connects families, parishes and schools to opportunities in inclusive Catholic education through outreach, advocacy, and advancement. This includes ongoing professional development and on-site coaching, which provides teachers, administrators and pastors with the resources and training needed for successful service to students with IDD. This community approach, along with the collective energy of similar organizations, is bringing inclusive Catholic education into the national spotlight. The result is a dynamic classroom environment and greater appreciation for all of God’s children.
“We seek to serve all children, regardless of their disability. The greater the challenge, the higher the priority.”
— Tony Armitage, One Classroom Co-Founder