Last Christmas was a watershed moment for 10-year-old Dean. After four years of trying, he learned to tell time. "I had been trying to teach him since he was six. It was an incredible moment when it finally clicked for him," says Dean's mother Tracey Van Herpe.
Many things that had frustrated Dean for years started to fall into place after he began attending Arrowsmith School, in Toronto, Ontario. Dean has dyslexia, and reading and writing had been a torturous process since he started school. "Homework took him hours. It was a really emotional time for us. He just wasn't learning in a traditional setting," Tracey says.
So the mother of three, from London, Ontario, took the dramatic step of moving to Toronto with Dean so he could attend Arrowsmith, which focuses on students with learning disabilities. "Arrowsmith's program isolated Dean's areas of weakness and focused on them intensively. They did testing constantly and they provided monthly reports," Tracey says. By the end of his first year, Dean had progressed so much he earned the school's Principal Award. "I almost cried. He has just excelled. He is a completely different child."
Read our advice guide on choosing a school for a child with special needs (such as ADHD and autism) and for kids with other traits. To get school-choice advice customized to your child's unique traits, create a child profile through your user account. |
Read our advice guide on choosing a school for a child with special needs (such as ADHD and autism) and for kids with other traits. To get school-choice advice customized to your child's unique traits, create a child profile through your user account. |
Read our advice guide on choosing a school for a child with special needs (such as ADHD and autism) and for kids with other traits. To get school-choice advice customized to your child's unique traits, create a child profile through your user account. |
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"Whytecliff is a safe, empathetic & supportive place for teens with a diverse range of learning needs / personal challenges. Our positive community & high-growth environment pulls each child up to be their very best!
—From the school
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"Chisholm Academy are specialists in developing programs for students with exceptionalities. Classes of 8-10 students, an experienced multi-disciplinary staff really make a difference!
—From the school |
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Belleville, Ontario "We are a therapeutic boarding school for Gr. 3-12 students requiring individualized academic, clinical, and behaviour-management solutions in small class sizes and professional home stay or boarding environments" —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta "Our Academy (in-person) and Studio (online) personalized programs are designed for students with a diagnosed learning disability to achieve their potential through outstanding support within and outside the classroom." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Lawrence/Don Mills "Brighton is the leading private school in Toronto for students with academic and/or social challenges. We offer curriculum-based and remedial Elementary programs; and credit, pre-credit and non-credit Secondary streams." —From the school
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Wellandport, Ontario "Robert Land Academy, established in 1978, is a private military-inspired boarding school (Gr 5-12) helping boys to experience validation, realize their potential and gain admission to post-secondary programs." —From the school
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Richmond Hill, Ontario Leslie/16th Ave "Morningside/ABA based curriculum and individualized approach targets not only academic success but also emotional, social, vocational and life skills that are the core skills of life-long success of each student." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St/Davisville Ave "2E Learners, differentiated profiles AP, Reach Ahead classes, and enrichment Academic focus on inquiry and critical analysis Collaborative and feedback-rich environment Unique and robust clubs/extra curriculars" —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Conroy Rd/Walkey Rd "Astolot Educational Centre is a day school with grades 1 to 12 in Ottawa, Ontario. Classroom teacher-student ratios are 1 to 10. Students have the ability to reach their full potential with Astolot programming." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Donald St/Frances St "Providence Academy is the only Private French Catholic School offering a trilingual program of study in Ontario with classes from nursery to grade eight. Tuition: $8,800-10,300. Extracurricular activities: $600-$650." —From the school
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Burlington, Ontario Guelph Line/New Street "Elevate Learning Centre is a micro-school focusing on identifying and meeting the needs of students with learning differences. We use evidence-based approaches like UFLI, Wilson, and O.G. to support our students." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Yonge St./Lawrence Ave. "The Dunblaine School empowers students with learning disabilities to reach their full potential. It offers programs for students from grade one to eight, with an average class size of 5-7 students." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario "Heritage Academy provides a multisensory learning environment and supports students with Dyslexia, ADD, ADHD, and Anxiety in Grades 1 -12." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta "Academy is strengths-based and remediation-focused. Collegiate is for those learning at or above grade-level. Blended+ is personalized for Grades 9-12 that empowers them to learn in-person, hybrid, and off-campus." —From the school
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Cambridge, Ontario Franklin Blvd/Myers Road "OAK BRIDGE ACADEMY is an alternative, not-for-profit school. Our highest priority is to provide financially accessible, highly specialized education to every child with learning exceptionalities." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario St. Clair Ave West/Avenue Road "Founded on the science of neuroplasticity, Arrowsmith Program provides students with the skills necessary to overcome their learning disabilities and transform their academic, cognitive, emotional and social lives." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario Breadalbane St/St Luke Ln "The YMCA Academy is an alternative school for students in grades 6 to 12 with learning disabilities and learning style differences, offering individualized Special Education support." —From the school
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South Wales, New York(USA) "The Gow School is a college-prep boarding and day school for students, grades 6-12, with dyslexia and similar language-based learning disabilities." —From the school
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Ottawa, Ontario Carling Avenue/Broadview Avenue "Edelweiss Private Academy offers elementary education to students with ASD and other exceptionalities, maintaining small teacher to student ratios. We promote strong academic, physical and social-emotional development." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Dundas St. W/Erin Mills Pkwy "We offer a specialized program and teaching; focusing on the core subjects of language and math, incorporating cognitive activities and therapies for students with learning difficulties to help them learn and succeed." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Bathurst/Wilson "Magnificent Minds Inc. caters to students whose needs are not being met in traditional school environments, pursuing personal best through a balanced approach to education." —From the school
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Montreal, Quebec Sherbrooke/Atwater "Students thrive in an inclusive, structured learning environment that provides academic accommodations for all learners. We help students become autonomous, resilient lifelong learners!" —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Hurontario/Queensway "TEAM School offers programs from Grades 1 to 12 in Mississauga. Its average class size is 8 to 12 students." —From the school
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Toronto, Ontario "Some of the greatest inventors, authors, and entrepreneurs of our time had minds that differed from the average. Our unique methodology addresses the needs of learners with ADHD and Dyslexia." —From the school
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Mississauga, Ontario Erin Mills Parkway/Turner Valley Road "A special needs education private school in Mississauga offering programs using the Developmental, Individual Differences, Relationship-Based (DIR®) Model. Theme-based DIR® March/Summer Camps are also available." —From the school
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Calgary, Alberta 37 Street NW/Bowness Rd NW "Foothills Academy is an independent school for students with diagnosed Learning Disabilities in grades 3 - 12. Small class sizes allow the experienced staff to create a positive learning environment." —From the school
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North York, Ontario Avenue Road/Lawrence Avenue "Through our dynamic individual education plans, mentorship, and therapeutic counselling we ensure all students feel comfortable, respected and cared for, so they stay actively engaged in their educational journey." —From the school
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