A. Windham Woods School students are extraordinary young people who love learning and being part of a community. Students at Windham Woods School may struggle in a more traditional classroom setting due to learning challenges or learning disabilities such as:
Dyslexia
Specific LD in Reading, Math, and/or Written Expression
Non-Verbal Learning Disability (NLD)
Mixed Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders
Attention Deficit
School related anxiety
Executive function challenges
Windham Woods School students do not present with primary behavioral or emotional challenges.
Q. What grades does Windham Woods School offer?
Elementary Grades 1 - 5
Middle School Grades 6 - 8
Upper School Grades 9 - 12
Q. What is the underlying educational philosophy?
A. The well being of our students comes first. They thrive and gain confidence when instruction is meaningful, lessons are dynamic and engaging, and they feel part of a diverse and inclusive community.
Q. What is the classroom model?
Project based instruction in all academic classes works for diverse learning profiles, particularly those diagnosed with Dyslexia, NLD, and Mixed Receptive/Expressive Language Disorders.
Outdoor classroom experiences reduce anxiety and increase attention and focus.
Students learn in an expanded language based classroom model with 10 or fewer students, and are placed in multi-grade classes by ability level.
Q. How does Windham Woods School accommodate diverse learning profiles in the classroom?
A. For our students with dyslexia, project based instruction teaches through areas of cognitive strength while reading and written expression are remediated; for students with NLD, abstract and inferential language is reduced while math is strongly supported; for the receptive expressive language disorder student, the sole reliance on language for instruction is eliminated.
Differentiation of instruction in the classroom improves executive function skills and allows students to work at their own pace.
Q: What if your child needs reading remediation?
A. Reading intervention at WWS is provided for students who are typically 1-2 years or more below grade level. Our approach to intervention is based in the Science of Reading and a diagnostic and prescriptive methodology that customizes the student’s instruction.Once a student is assessed, our Director of Reading and our Reading Interventionists select appropriate reading programs (if necessary) based upon the student’s level of literacy acquisition and their learning profile. Windham Woods School utilizes a variety and unique blend of programs including Lindamood Phoneme Sequencing® Program for Reading, Spelling, and Speech (LiPS), Equipped for Reading Success, Read Naturally, Great Leaps, Rave-O, Orton Gillingham (OG), and Visualizing and Verbalizing (V&V).
Reading intervention occurs in groups of 3 or fewer students of similar ability level and learning profile. Reading interventionists may target phonemic awareness, decoding, spelling, fluency, morphology, vocabulary development, and/or comprehension.
Q. How does Windham Woods School specifically work with students with receptive and expressive language challenges?
A. Windham Woods School has 5 Speech Language Pathologists on staff who integrate into the classrooms, and see students on an individual basis if needed.
Q. What is the benefit of a school community, like Windham Woods, that includes students with diverse learning profiles? Students will:
Appreciate and respect individuals with different learning styles while developing an understanding of their own individual strengths and challenges
Become immersed in a nurturing, safe environment where they find their voices and make meaningful connections with peers
Have the opportunity to become positive and productive members of a larger community
Q. Does Windham Woods School follow a traditional curriculum?
A. The curriculum is skills based and aligned with the Common Core Standards.
Foundational and advanced skills are developed in highly-structured classes that focus on reading/literature, humanities, ECO (engagement, communication, and organization), math, science, social studies, written expression, and numerous elective offerings.
Advanced Upper School students are offered the opportunity to participate in dual enrollment college classes.
Q. Do Windham Woods School graduates receive a diploma upon graduation?
A. Upon graduation from 12th grade, and the successful completion of Upper School graduation requirements, students receive a high school diploma approved by the Department of Education in New Hampshire.
Q. Is Windham Woods School an Approved Chapter 766 Special Education School in Massachusetts?
A. Windham Woods School is not seeking Chapter 766 approval. Windham Woods is an approved non-public school by the Department of Education in New Hampshire.
Q. What are the qualifications of the administrators and faculty at Windham Woods School?
A. Directors at Windham Woods School have advanced degrees in education or mild to moderate special needs. Faculty members at Windham Woods School are compassionate, skilled educators who receive extensive training. Some have backgrounds in special needs while others have additional qualifications and/or expertise in a particular subject area.
Q. What is the best way to find out if Windham Woods School is right for your child?
A. Fill out an online inquiry form and one of our admission staff will be in touch.
