High School (Grades 9-12)

The broad mission of The Kildonan School is to empower students with dyslexia to reach their academic potential and to equip them for future success.  Our students often come to us from educational experiences where they struggled to find success because that environment did not recognize their potential and/or know how to meet their needs.  When they first come to us, many of our students are wary of challenging tasks.  Often, their motivation is diminished.  They must relearn that with effort and guidance they can successfully engage in academic activities.  Our practice as educators, and how that practice reaches our students, is one of the most significant factors in helping our students reset the direct connection between effort and positive results.

High School Academics:

The primary goal of the High School academic program is to prepare our students for 21st Century demands where lifelong learners need to communicate clearly and collaborate effectively while thinking critically about information and solving problems creatively. Our students recognize and take full advantage of the opportunity they have to learn within our specific educational community, which fosters student strengths, confidence, and independence.

Specifically, the High School academic program at Kildonan endeavors to aid students in developing their skills in thinking and problem solving, listening, speaking, reading, spelling, writing, and mathematics. Language skills are taught most explicitly and systematically in the daily, individualized Language Training session with the student’s Orton-Gillingham tutor. Other courses are selected from each of the academic departments: Arts, History, Literature, Mathematics, and Science. Average class size is eight students so that teachers can provide individual attention and students have many opportunities for self-expression. Courses are taught in a multi-sensory fashion, incorporate inquiry-based and constructivist models of learning, and accommodate the specific academic needs of our student body while exploring the topics and objectives expected in a college-preparatory program.

Transition planning begins during the 11th grade year when students and families begin a self-assessment experience to determine whether college or another post secondary program is most appropriate.  We offer the SAT to our students in the Spring of their 11th grade year and in the Fall of the 12th grade year.  Approximately 95% of our Seniors apply to colleges and all are accepted to at least 90% of the schools where they apply.

Our talented and unique faculty seek to nurture and support students in their development of critical thinking skills, creativity, ability to use good reason and judgment, care and concern for others and their environment, and personal independence. Kildonan has a strong commitment to fostering self-esteem, self-discipline, individual responsibility, and respect in all of our students.