Marburn Academy

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Is it a Learning Disability or a Learning Difference?

Although many students come to Marburn Academy with a "learning disability" label, we reject the concept they are "disabled" from learning. These are children of average to superior intelligence who struggle to learn reading, writing, spelling, math, and/or self-management skills if they are taught with traditional teaching methods. At Marburn Academy, twenty-five years of experience demonstrates that our students learn at high levels when their learning differences are matched by corresponding teaching differences.

Marburn Academy's Headmaster Interviews with NBC4 - View
Children who have struggled to achieve in school because of a learning difference require a highly
effective skill remediation program, but they also deserve challenging academics and stimulating opportunities to develop their interests and talents. Marburn Academy is the only K-12 school in Central Ohio with an academic and extra-curricular program that is designed to address the full range of these unique learning and personal development needs of bright children with learning differences such as dyslexia and ADHD.

Elements such as daily Orton-Gillingham reading instruction, college preparatory academic curricula focused on thinking skills and problem solving, and a wide array of extra-curricular activities combine to produce a comprehensive school experience which is, indeed, "the finest education for bright children who learn differently."

My advice to parents who are looking for answers to the problems their bright children are having in school is, "Do not hesitate!" The biggest mistake we made was not enrolling our daughter in Marburn Academy as soon as we learned that their teaching methods matched the way she learned. She would have been successful that much sooner. ~Jennifer, Marburn Parent

POSITIVE LEARNING ENVIRONMENT
Teachers who truly understand and who are passionate about teaching children with learning differences like dyslexia and ADHD create a uniquely supportive, success-oriented learning environment in which goals are individualized, positive reinforcement is plentiful and progress is measured by improvement as well as mastery.

SCIENTIFICALLY-VALIDATED TEACHING METHODS
All Marburn Academy Lower and Middle Division teachers are extensively trained in Orton-Gillingham (widely recognized as the preferred approach for teaching reading and writing to children with dyslexia) and in Visual Mathematics, a proven system for teaching math concepts and problem solving skills experientially. In addition, teachers receive formal training in methods for teaching self-management skills to ADHD children. Leading-edge computer software supports classroom instruction.

DUAL FOCUS ACADEMIC PROGRAM
When selecting the right school for a child with a learning difference, parents typically face a choice between programs that focus on remediating skill deficits or programs designed to provide challenging academic content. Marburn Academy's dual focus curriculum is unique in that it successfully builds high level skills in reading, writing, spelling, math, organization, and self-management while it simultaneously develops critical thinking and problem solving skills within an intellectually challenging college preparatory environment.

RICH EXTRA-CURRICULAR PROGRAM
Offering a wide range of options, the Marburn Academy program encourages all children to discover their gifts while challenging gifted children to develop their talents.

"Voyageurs" outdoor education adventure trips stimulate personal growth and build confidence through mastery of exciting personal challenges.

It is the combination of all these unique features which has resulted in Marburn Academy's recognition as one of the top schools in the country for bright children with learning differences. Dr. Sally Shaywitz, in her ground-breaking 2003 book, "Overcoming Dyslexia", includes Marburn Academy on her list of recommended schools.