Overview

For more than sixty years, Town School for Boys has provided a rich and demanding education for boys in kindergarten through grade eight. At the core of the School’s philosophy is that its students be successful, independent, self-confident, curious life-long learners.

During the past two decades, scientific research has defined how the brain processes information. This research enables teachers to better understand and serve students with differing learning styles, permitting them to mainstream in a highly rigorous academic program. Town School for Boys is committed to identifying, addressing, and supporting students who have learning issues. While the School offers support, it does not, however, provide comprehensive remediation services. The School’s program may not be right for all boys, but every effort is made to ensure that the boys who can manage their personal learning style thrive while at Town.

Town School Learning Services Department
The learning services department is made up of three part-time, credentialed learning specialists. The department hopes to provide support and information to students, parents, faculty and administration concerning the issues raised by working with children with special needs. This support enhances the classroom experience of all Town students. Members of the learning services department are also available for parent questions. Contact with parents is encouraged and specialists are available by phone or email. Newsletters and workshop information is posted in the teachers’ room as well as in our weekly Newsletter.

Lower School Learning Specialist
The Lower School Specialists serve grades K-4 and are on campus three days a week. The learning specialist sees up to twenty children twice a week for classes that last from 30 to 40 minutes. Learning assistance varies from child to child and depends on individual needs. Instruction is planned to strengthen the weaker areas of a child’s learning profile and to teach strategies that incorporate his strengths. There are usually two children seen at one time although shorter periods of one-on-one sessions occur. In addition, students are frequently observed during their classroom activities. The duration of this service varies from a few months to several years.

The learning specialist reads reports from the in-house screening and any additional testing that has been done. Critical information is then discussed with the classroom teachers. She acts as a liaison between the parent, the teacher and any other professionals who are testing or providing services to the child. Conferences take place by phone, at school and occasionally at facilities where outside testing has been conducted. Although meetings with the learning specialist are regularly scheduled during parent conference days, parents are encouraged to call and come in whenever they have a concern about their child.

Return to top

Upper School Learning Specialist
The Upper School Specialist serves grades 5-8 and is on campus three days a week. The purpose of the upper school program is designed to help the boys better understand their learning needs while maximizing their strengths and compensating for their weaknesses. An additional goal is to support them in becoming better advocates for themselves.

The learning specialist begins working with fourth graders in the spring in order to facilitate a smooth transition into the upper school. The boys are seen in small groups or individually. Boys are seen on an as-needed basis during the regular school day.

The learning specialist confers with parents and teachers and talks with any other professional who is involved with each child and helps parents find appropriate support with regards to tutoring or to outside specialists. The learning specialist attends grade level meetings held each week and discusses the special needs students. She reads all in-house and outside evaluations and writes a cover letter that summarizes the information and presents classroom recommendations.

Return to top