By Alyssa Racosky
As Kennedy Krieger High School’s seniors crossed the stage to receive their diplomas this past June, they marked a milestone for their school. The 31-member Class of 2025 was the school’s 25th class of graduates, and their graduation ceremony topped a quarter-century of graduating individuals with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, emotional and intellectual disabilities, and traumatic brain injuries.
“They’re an upstanding group, and they know how far they’ve come,” Principal Lindsay Turwy says.
Since the 1980s, Kennedy Krieger Institute has offered transformative education to meet the needs of students with complex conditions. Now comprising five schools, Kennedy Krieger School Programs initially served students through the eighth grade. Kennedy Krieger High School opened in 1999. “Our population has shifted,” Turwy adds. “We now serve more students on the autism spectrum, and our team-based approach has grown stronger. Education, mental health and behavioral support now work hand in hand on nearly every decision.”
The Class of 2025 stood out for its kindness, resilience and self-awareness. “This class showed incredible growth, and they knew it,” Turwy says. “That self-recognition is something we don’t always see. It has made their journey even more meaningful.”
We want every student to feel valued—not just successful, but essential to the community around them.” – Lindsay Turwy
The weeks leading up to graduation were filled with cherished traditions dating back to the school’s opening. Seniors enjoyed a trip to Hersheypark®, hosted an ice cream social with younger students at the school and invited staff members to a picnic. They capped off the celebrations with the school’s signature “industry party,” at which seniors showcase the skills, knowledge and projects they’ve developed in their chosen industry majors.
This year’s graduation speaker was school alum Darius Matthews, Class of 2022, who greatly benefited from the school’s programs and support, Turwy says. Now a personal trainer for the YMCA, Matthews is working toward living independently and is preparing to move into his own apartment—an example of the school’s lasting impact.
As Kennedy Krieger High School looks to the future, Turwy emphasizes expanding real-world learning experiences. “We want every student to feel valued—not just successful, but essential to the community around them.”
