Landmark School Mini Viewbook

The Landmark Difference

For students in GRADES 2-12 with dyslexia and other language-based learning disabilities

Imagine a school where students learn, grow, and thrive.

Where teachers understand each student’s learning style and meet them where they are.

Where every student has a customized one-to-one tutorial every single day.

Where class sizes of 4–8 empower students to find their voice and take academic risks.

Where hands-on learning prevails over traditional methods rooted in lecture and textbooks.

Where learning challenging curriculum is fun and rewarding.

Where 100% of our graduates are accepted to college and 94% choose to attend.

This is Landmark and it’s what education should be.

» Meeting the needs of Every Student

“The one-to-one tutorial model is the ‘gold standard’ among interventions for struggling readers.”

—Johns

Hopkins University School of Education’s Center for Research and Reform in Education

(individualized instruction is the norm, not the exception)

The cornerstone of our program is the one-to-one daily tutorial. This, combined with small classes of 4–8 students, specially trained faculty, and a three-to-one student to teacher ratio, is the backbone of the Landmark approach. The curriculum is challenging, flexible, and dynamic. Teachers can take the time to understand their students. And students can let down their guard, learn in a healthy and productive environment, gain confidence, and experience success—sometimes for the very first time.

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Our Students

(are bright, curious, and motivated to learn)

Landmark School is for students entering grades 2–12 who have been diagnosed with dyslexia or another language-based learning disability (LBLD), which falls under the broader category of specific learning disability (SLD).

Our students possess average to superior cognitive abilities, as measured by the Wechsler Scales (WISC or WAIS). They have well-developed reasoning and comprehension skills but often have weaknesses in processing speed or working memory. They are well-adjusted young people with a healthy social and emotional well being.

Landmark accepts students who are struggling in traditional classrooms because their reading, writing, computing, and organizational skills do not match their cognitive potential.

We accept students who have one or more of the following:

CHECK-CIRCLE dyslexia/reading disability

CHECK-CIRCLE disorder of written language

CHECK-CIRCLE expressive language disorder

CHECK-CIRCLE executive function weaknesses

We are NOT an appropriate school for students with:

TIMES-SQUARE nonverbal learning disabilities

TIMES-SQUARE autism spectrum disorders/Asperger’s syndrome

TIMES-SQUARE Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD)

TIMES-SQUARE primary social/emotional/behavioral disorders

» High School

Our High School, with 310 students in grades 9–12, from around the U.S. and the globe, is a vibrant place offering nearly 100 academic and elective courses, 30 athletic teams, residential and day programs, evening and weekend trips and activities, travel programs during school breaks, community service, performing arts, and more. Students grow and are challenged at every turn.

Three Distinct Programs

The Founders Program is where the majority of our students take structured courses focused on reading and writing; our Expressive Language Program is designed for students working on the formative aspects of oral and written language, and our Prep Program is an option for students who do not require a daily one-to-one literacy tutorial and are ready for increased pace and complexity. All programs prepare students for the challenges of college and other post-secondary school choices.

There is something for everyone at Landmark School!

Itai Segev

“My advice to anyone thinking about coming to Landmark is to take advantage of the opportunities here. This place gives you so much. It sets you up to be successful. I am going to American University, and I know this would not have been possible if I hadn’t come to Landmark.”

Piper Nichols

“In my time here, I’ve watched new students arrive with no trust. Eventually, they buy into Landmark’s approach and that’s because of the teachers. I have never met a more patient, passionate, and helpful group of people with the ability to see the potential in every student. They are my role models and the reason I want to become a teacher, too.”

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It’s Like a Family (with

no sibling rivalry)

If you ask our students how it feels to be a part of the Landmark community, they will tell you that it’s like a family. Students know they won’t be singled out for having a different learning style. They feel at home here.

For students who live on campus at our High School, the benefits of a residential program that emphasizes independence, thoughtful decision-making, and respect are immeasurable. They learn to self advocate with confidence, and by the time they are ready to leave Landmark they are prepared for college and beyond.

» Elementary• Middle School

Located in Manchester-by-the-Sea, three miles down the road from our High School campus, our Elementary•Middle School is made up of 165 students in grades 2–8. Our proven method offers each student a daily one-to-one tutorial, customized curriculum, class placement based on skill level, and specially trained faculty. We don’t follow a single teaching methodology for reading instruction, such as Orton-Gillingham, Wilson, or LiPS; instead we draw on these and many more to sculpt a program for each student.

Our students actively participate in the life of the school with an array of electives and after-school sports and activities. Students can dive into anything from baseball and bike maintenance to visual art and woodworking.

Luke Graham

“At my old school, I had a lot of tricks to cover up the fact that I couldn’t keep up. I would turn the page when everyone else in the class turned the page so it would look like I was following along. I struggled with word problems, reading, and homework. At Landmark, I don’t need my tricks anymore. I have my tutorial every day, the classes are really small so you can’t hide, and the teachers know what you need to learn. My favorite classes are social studies and oral expression. We do a lot of hands-on activities in all my classes, which are fun.”

Mia Kaminsky

I started Landmark in the summer before fifth grade and loved it, so when my parents told me that I would be coming here for the school year I was really excited. I drive here everyday from Lexington, but I look forward to coming to school and I use the drive home to get my homework done. I have a lot more time now to do activities after school too. I love sports, and I play soccer in the fall, basketball in the winter, and run track and field in the spring.

» Meeting Goals (we’re in your corner)

We assign an Academic Advisor to each student who quickly becomes an advocate, guide, coach, and friend. These veteran teachers are highly-trained and qualified to make sure that tutorials are individualized for each student, class placements are appropriate, students’ needs are met, and parents’ questions are answered. You will always know how your child is doing at Landmark School—no surprises.

Landmark School At a Glance

Mission: Landmark School’s mission is to enable and empower students with language-based learning disabilities (LBLD) to reach their educational and social potential through an exemplary school program complemented by outreach and training, assessment, and research.

Goal: Landmark School’s goal is to be the leading non-profit center for the education and study of children and adolescents with LBLD.

Grades served: 2–12, coeducational

Residential program: Grades 9–12

Teacher/Student ratio: 1:3

Advanced degrees: 95% of faculty have advanced degrees or are acquiring them.

Average academic class size: 4–8 students

Accreditation: • New England Association of Schools & Colleges

• Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Professional memberships: • Association of Independent Schools of New England

• International Dyslexia Association

• Independent Educational Consultants Association

• Learning Disabilities Association of America

• Massachusetts Association of Approved Private Schools

• National Association of Independent Schools

• National Association of Special Education Teachers School of Excellence

Total enrollment: 475

Elementary•Middle School: 165

High School: 310

Geographic profile: Students represent 10 countries and 20 states.

Total faculty/staff: 350

College acceptance: 100% of Landmark’s high school graduates are accepted to colleges.

Summer Program: Over 120 students attend Landmark’s Summer Program.

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Summer (come on in, the water’s fine)

For a Landmark student—or any student—who is looking to boost skills and minimize summer regression, our programs are an ideal opportunity to step outside of the usual demands of the school year, reflect, and focus on making improvements for the coming year. We call it the Landmark Advantage, and, like our program during the academic year, it works.

Summer Programs

 Elementary•Middle School Program

 High School Day and Residential Programs

 Skills+ Summer Study Skills Workshop

“

Seven days. That is what it took for Haley to have his ‘ah ha’ moment in regards to his dyslexia and learning style. He does not understand how you did it, but you did.” —Kari

Buchholz

» Cutting-Edge Connections

(great resources in our backyard)

Because we are only 30 miles north of Boston, we have strong links to some of the most preeminent academic institutions in the country. We enjoy a research relationship with Harvard Graduate School of Education, Children’s Hospital, and other institutions. We benefit from these collaborations and the results of these joint studies inform our practice.

When students’ educational needs are being met, when they feel respected, and they are engaged in meaningful and challenging activities, the rewards are long-lasting and priceless.

It’s what education should be.