BLOOMINGTON - Everyone gathers at the desk of teacher Pam Law. The seven students of Heartland Christian Academy have their own cubicles, but they regularly congregate at Law's desk.

The school is on the third floor of 510 E. Washington St., a building owned by Mount Moriah Christian Church.

Most of the kids have attended other schools. Several have attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, dyslexia or other "unique learning styles."

Law knows first-hand what it's like to be a teen with ADHD.

"It was terrible," said Law, who dropped out of high school and got a general equivalency diploma. She and husband, Charles, also know the frustrations of parents: two of their three sons have ADHD.

The college graduate and former teacher at Life Crossings Academy is working on a master's degree. Two years ago, when youngest son Eric neared high school age, she made a "God-led decision" to start a school for students like him.

The academy is accredited by Association of Christian Schools International.

Student Angel Bieker, 17, of Bloomington, previously tried home school, public school, and a Christian school. She has borderline ADHD, and enjoys the shorter class periods.

"Because of the size of the classes, Mrs. Law is able to tailor the curriculum to meet my daughter's unique learning style," her mom, Judy Bieker, said.

Dr. Stephen Trainor, a Carle Clinic pediatrician who often works with young people with attention disorders, said such students often do best in small classes with one-on-one attention. A specialized program that teaches "how they learn best" is a plus, said Trainor, who isn't familiar with Heartland's curriculum.

Such a program helped Curt Mocilan, 17, who has Tourette's syndrome, bipolar disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

"I had hit a wall and I didn't know what else to do," said his mom, Cassandra Mocilan of Bloomington, of finding the right school for him. "He believes he can be successful now."

Christopher Buck, 18, of LeRoy, has dyslexia and other visual problems. His mom, Antoinette Buck, said her son is "motivated to reach his goals. We're doing what we can to encourage him."

Law interviews parents and prospective students. The private school costs $425 a month per student, and Law hopes scholarships eventually will be available.

Along with traditional subjects, Heartland students learn physical education; take monthly museum trips; ride horses; ice skate; and hold prom, a fall dance, and graduation.

The school has one official graduate. Two more students are expected to graduate this fall; one is part of Law's outreach for pregnant teens who want to earn a diploma, rather than a GED.

The other is Marsha McHugh, 17, who previously struggled with reading at Heyworth High School. "With the pressure, I just couldn't do it," she said.

Now she has a 4.0 grade average, is class valedictorian and is affectionately called an "overachiever" by classmates.

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Heartland Christian Academy

Where: 510 E. Washington St., third floor, Bloomington

When: Modified year-round school (45 days on, 15 days off); classes 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. weekdays.

Who: Specializes in students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, bipolar disorder, and giftedness.

Cost: $425 monthly tuition; possibility of future scholarships

Info: (309) 310-1174