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Elizabeth Goldsmith
Elizabeth Goldsmith is the Founder and Executive Director of Thrive Center for Success. In 2019, Elizabeth was struggling to find the right educational fit for her child that provided both the academics and therapies he needed to truly reach his full potential and thrive. When looking at different options offered across the nation, she found the perfect inspiration in an autism-focused charter school in Jupiter, FL. As a parent of a child with autism, this was a dream come true. The school offered Applied BehaviorAnalysis, the gold standard treatment for autism, in an academic setting, had low teacher to student ratios, and staff highly trained in working with students with autism. Being a public charter school, it was tuition-free for all students. It became her mission to bring this model to Texas, for children in our communities.
In 2021, Thrive Center for Success was approved to open by theTexas Education Agency, with overwhelming support from the Texas State Board of Education. Thrive became the first autism-focused charter school approved in the state of Texas. In 2022, Thrive opened its doors serving 85 students, kindergarten through 5th grade, with plans to add a grade level each year up to 12th grade. Now serving kindergarten through 7th grade with 156 students enrolled for the 2024-2025 school year and over 300 students on the waitlist, Thrive is meeting an immense need for better options in her community. Thrive is approved to open a second campus in Houston, and plans to branch out across other communities in Texas. Elizabeth wants this model to open doors for others and to use this as a proof point that a school tailored to meet the needs of students with autism can result in better outcomes, allowing them to reach their full potential.
Elizabeth earned her Bachelor of Science in Biology degree fromStephen F. Austin State University. After working in research for several years at Baylor College of Medicine, she returned to school to earn her Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas. Now, her focus is on finding ways to assist families and children with autism gain access to academics, therapies, recreational programs, and other supports necessary for these families to thrive.
Elizabeth resides in Magnolia, TX with her husband and two children.
