As the nation celebrates Learning Disability Awareness Month, Greenwich-based Eagle Hill School shares that it is a founding school of a new education organization focused on collaborating and advocating for students with learning differences.
The Association of LD Schools (ALDS) is a new non-profit, private school organization including over 50 founding schools across the country and in Canada that serve students with learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive dysfunction. The organization is an opportunity for LD schools nationwide to have a formal opportunity to partner together, share resources and support one another to make a positive impact for all students with learning differences.
Gretchen Larkin, Head of School, said, “Eagle Hill is honored to be a founding member of this Association. This Association is the first of its kind and can make a significant impact in advocating for the unique needs of our students and providing professional resources and support to help them thrive in their educational journey. We look forward to partnering with our fellow schools to collaborate and strengthen our schools for students who learn differently.”
ALDS is an outgrowth of partnerships formed among LD school leaders at an annual LD Leadership Retreat and a luncheon at the International Dyslexia Association’s annual conference. LD schools are frequently the only specialized school of their kind in their region, so the association will make it easier for schools and educators to find opportunities to connect and grow relationships to support one another and impact more students.
“At ALDS, our goal is clear: to foster an inclusive and empowering environment where schools dedicated to supporting students with learning differences can come together, collaborate, and flourish,” said Cheryl Cook, who recently served as the academic dean at Lawrence School in Ohio and is serving as the Association’s founding Executive Director. “My goal for ALDS is to figure out how we can help LD school leaders and educators connect with each other about their work and efforts to support learners. We are stronger together.”
All founding schools will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the association. ALDS’ founding board members are from the following schools: Spring Valley School (Birmingham, AL), Noble Academy (Greensboro, NC), Landmark School (Beverly, MA), The New Community School (Richmond, VA), Gulliver Prep School (Miami, FL), Westmark School (Los Angeles, CA), Hamlin Robinson School (Seattle, WA), and Windward School (New York City and White Plains, New York).
About Eagle Hill School:
Founded in 1975, Eagle Hill School is an independent, co-educational day and five-day boarding school for elementary and middle school age students with language-based learning differences.
