Overview | History | Programs | Locations |Enrollment
Mission & Vision
Mission: To improve the quality of children’s lives through high-impact educational programming.
Vision: A network of intentionally small learning communities where every student is known, supported, and empowered to succeed.
Giving Children the Advantage They Need to Succeed
OVERVIEW
BLI Learning Labs is a network of intentionally small learning communities offering personalized, high-impact educational programming. Founded on the belief that children thrive when given agency, authentic learning opportunities, and strong relationships with caring educators, BLI has quickly emerged as a model that bridges the gap between traditional schooling and nontraditional education. Unlike conventional schools, BLI learning communities are intentionally small, rooted in the community, and employ experienced educators and area specialists. Our programs include full-day intentionally small private schools, homeschool hybrid programs, and private tutoring in reading instruction. Our educational approach prohibits the use of screens for children ages 4-8; limited screen use for children 9 +. Families choose BLI because our programs offer a joyful, effective, and personalized alternative to the conventional American education system that continuously delivers poor student outcomes across all academic subjects.
OUR STORY
BLI Learning Labs was founded by educator and equity champion Leah Veal after more than twenty years of teaching across diverse settings; namely homeschooling, clinical environments, and Title I public schools. Following her experience teaching at one of the lowest-performing elementary schools in Florida, Ms. Veal took a leap of faith to address persistent literacy gaps and launched BLI as a mobile tutoring service. Operating out of a bus converted into a classroom, she brought high-impact instruction directly to children in underserved neighborhoods, making regular stops at recreation centers, libraries, and schools throughout Tampa Bay. What began as a grassroots effort to boost reading scores has since grown into a network of schools and educational programs now enrolling more than 100 children and reaching thousands more through community book distribution. At its core, BLI remains rooted in a singular mission: empowering children to believe in themselves, develop new skills daily, and work together for the common good.
Founding Executive
Leah Veal
Leah Veal is an educator, counselor, and learner with over two decades of practical experience in the classroom, as well as in education management. Her experience in healthcare and education make her uniquely attuned to the social-emotional and academic needs of young learners. Leah received her Education Specialist from Georgia State University and her Master of Arts from the University of Tennessee. After years of working as a tutor, assistant director, private school kindergarten teacher, and as an elementary teacher at the second lowest performing elementary school in Florida, she opened BLI Learning so that children, regardless of socio-economic status, would have a supportive, creative space to learn and grow.
testimonials
Hear why families and teachers choose BLI
Martha G.
"Private tutoring” covers a wide range of services, which are frequently quite expensive and which offer vastly different levels of targeted instruction. It can be difficult to ascertain what you’re paying for and whether it has a reasonable likelihood of benefitting your child. BLI Learning Labs is a moderately priced option for both group and individual tutoring, but I would describe my child’s experience with BLI tutoring as “priceless.” Some businesses promise very specific results in terms of test scores and reading levels — you won’t find that at BLI. Instead you will find educators with a different approach, who genuinely want to help kids find a love of learning and a path to success!
Cynthia M.
I enrolled my kids in BLI Institute in the beginning of the school year. The pandemic left a lot of gaps in the foundation of their education and I knew putting them back into a public classroom would only frustrate them and widen those gaps. BLI assesses where they are and that is where the gaps begin to get filled in. My kids are able to feel successful and are no longer intimidated by school. They are choosing to read in their free time because they feel successful while doing so. BLI Institute offers so much more than the average private school. I am so happy we made this choice!
Silvia H.
I purchased one puzzle and book bundle for my science class and after one week, I purchased 5 more. I use the puzzles and books as learning stations in my room, and my kids love them! BLI’s educational products are great for children at various levels of development, being both therapeutic and educational. This is multisensory learning at its best. And the innovative packaging is very cool!
Mark L.
My wife and I are so thankful for BLI Learning and all they have offered our family and our two sons. Our boys love school, love their teachers, and are always excited to learn now. Big thanks to Leah and the entire team at BLI Learning!
OUR TEAM
Board of Directors
Lorena Grizzle - President
(Pinellas County Schools)
Lorena Grizzle is a 18-year teacher with Pinellas County Schools. She graduated from Colorado State University with a degree in Fine Arts, and had a career in art, banking and sales before returning to teaching. She earned a Masters degree in Exceptional Student Education in 2011 and a Master’s in Reading Education in 2012 from USF St. Petersburg. Lorena has one son and lives with her husband in Seminole, Florida enjoying art, cartooning, and swimming. She is a cherished member of the board!
Patrick H. Mazza - Vice President
Patrick brings over 34 years of experience in commercial insurance and risk management to the Board. He helps business owners understand their insurance programs and reduce their total cost of insurance. Patrick is invested in making sure that Florida youth have access to quality educational programs. He happily volunteers his time to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed. He currently lives in Largo, FL with his beautiful bride, Julia, of 31 years and his three wonderful children - Nicholas, Annamarie and Brendan. He is a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and loves to spend time with his family.
Howard Braun - Treasurer
(Score Mentor)
Howard is a proven problem solver with extensive experience in both the public and private sectors. He has worked as an engineer, a management consultant in planning, an investment banker, and a compliance officer. Although retired, he continues to volunteer as a Score Mentor in Pinellas County and his background in both fundraising and finance make him a valued addition to the team. He brings an MIT education and over 55 years of practical experience to the board.
Tina Fischer - Board Member
(Trenam Law)
Tina represents developers and small and medium-sized businesses as outside corporate and real estate counsel. She also represents landlords and tenants in commercial lease transactions and provides assistance to clients with land acquisition and disposition, due diligence, environmental permitting, and negotiation of land use approvals, master development agreements, interlocal agreements and public/private partnership agreements. Tina is dedicated to her community as active board member and supporter.
Victor Huff - Board Member
Victor is a small business advisor who helps businesses develop growth strategies by offering high impact professional business counseling. He is a resourceful and disciplined senior manager and civil servant. Before joining BLI, he served on various church ministry boards, as well as the Library Advisory Board and Public Art Committee at the City of Safety Harbor. Victor holds a Master of Accounting from Florida International University and is happy to offer his skills and expertise to further BLI's mission to improve the lives of children through education.
Keith Felton - Advisory Board Member
(Cogent Bank)
Keith Felton is a Senior VP/Private Banking Relationship Manager at Cogent Bank in Clearwater, Florida. He brings to the board over 35 years of experience in the banking and finance industry, as well as an unwavering commitment to serving the local community.
Tony Beams - Advisory Board Member (CFO UbiQD)
Tony is a strategically minded Finance Operations executive with a background in tech and tech-enabled enterprises. He has a proven ability to define strategies, build teams, implement systems and processes, and drive data capability insights. With experience working with current and potential investors, management teams, boards of directors, auditors, and other financial service providers, Tony brings a firm understanding of financial planning to the executive advisory board. He is a graduate of the University of California, Berkley and NYU Stern School of Business. Join us as we leverage Tony’s expertise to shape the future of education and provide every child with the advantage they need to succeed.
Barry Rubin - Advisory Board Member
(President & CEO of Pinellas Beaches Chamber of Commerce)
As a St. Petersburg small business owner for nearly 30 years and Chamber of Commerce president, Barry is a champion for small business, and business friendly policies.
Barry’s lifetime of service to the citizens of St. Petersburg includes Board Appointments to The Shore Acres Civic Association, SPCA of Tampa Bay, Evergreen Life Services, and Friends of Strays. Barry is an active member of the Rotary Club of St. Petersburg, The Florida Economic Club, The Elks, The Florida Association of Chamber Professionals, and Mahaffey Foundation for the Arts. He joins BLI Learning as an advisory member because he believes in the mission and knows that great schools create strong communities and positive life outcomes for children.
our Programs
BLI Community School
Hybrid Homeschool Programs
our locations
Private School
Tarpon Springs | Clearwater | Pinellas Park (Florida)
Hybrid Homeschool
Saint Petersburg, Florida
Tutoring
Clearwater, Florida | Lexington, Kentucky
TUITION AND ENROLLMENT
Private School
An innovative school model that teaches all children to believe in themselves, to learn every day, and to inspire the community to work together for the common good.
Monday – Friday 8:00 – 2:30 p.m.
4 hour morning academic block: ELA, math, science
1.5 hour afternoon elective block.
Students choose quarterly from STEM, Arts, and Health offerings.
https://www.stepupforstudents.org/
TUITION AND ENROLLMENT
Homeschool Classes
$2,000 quarterly for a maximum of two days a week. Open Monday – Thursday from 9:00 -2:00 p.m. Scholarships are accepted through https://www.stepupforstudents.org/.
Reading | Civics | Arithmetic | Algebra | Life Science | Earth Science | Writing | Performing Arts | Ping Pong | Chess | Engineering
Session 1: February – April
Session 2: May – July
Session 3: September – November
TUITION AND ENROLLMENT
Private Tutoring
Private Tutoring: $50 hourly https://www.stepupforstudents.org/
Student Outcomes
● 100% of general education students attending a BLI Community School score at the 75th percentile or above after one full year of instruction: Measure of Academic Progress by NWEA.
● 80% of special education students attending a BLI Community School score at the 50th percentile or above after one full year of instruction: Measure of Academic Progress by NWEA.
● 100% of families who enroll in private tutoring for reading instruction report increased confidence and academic achievement.
Who Attends Our Private School and Educational Programs?
Families who:
● Seek Intentional, creative, stress-free learning environments
● Value a model that combines electives and core instruction
● Support community-focused learning
● Want learning that leads to college and/or workforce readiness
Community Partners and Investors
OUR TEAM
Inspiring Educators
Bill Price
Rhonda McConnell
Christine Case
Asia Dacosta
Kanitha Wooten
Kyli Khoehler
