Few things are as frustrating as watching your child struggle and be misunderstood. And, as a parent of a child with dyslexia, you probably know that feeling well.
It can be hard to explain, again and again, what your child needs in order to succeed.
But at Atlantis Academy, we already know.
For almost 50 years, we’ve offered students with dyslexia and other learning differences a comprehensive academic program that aligns with state standards and prepares them for life after high school.
We can help your child, too.
Ready to learn more?
Understanding the Special Needs of Dyslexia
Children with dyslexia often have difficulty recognizing and decoding words, which can impact their overall reading comprehension, spelling, and writing skills. It is a neurological condition, often genetic.
And it’s not a reflection of intelligence — just a difference in the way the brain processes language.
Here’s How We Help:
First, we use a Direct Instruction methodology that’s designed specifically for students with dyslexia to improve fluency, decoding, vocabulary development, and more. This curriculum introduces skills gradually, reinforces those skills, and then assesses understanding. Direct Instruction also provides highly scripted lessons, so teachers can make the most of their class time and focus on helping students catch up to grade level.
We also have small group instruction and consistently monitor your child’s progress, so we can quickly make instructional adjustments as needed.
How Our Personalized Approach Works
A diagnosis doesn’t tell us everything we need to know about a student. So, before your child enrolls at Atlantis Academy, we conduct academic assessments. We use that information to personalize our curriculum and instructional practices.
First, we determine which program is best for your child:
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- The Traditional Program mirrors the ages and grade levels found in public school. High school students, for example, change classes throughout the day. Our model, however, includes a low student-to-teacher ratio and personalized instruction.
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- The Foundations Program is suited for students who thrive with more academic, social, and behavioral support.
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- The Living Independently with Fundamental Experiences Program teaches young adults ages 18 and older the skills they need to live a more independent life in the home and in the workplace.
Then, we use what we call evidence-based instruction, which means we continue to assess your child to monitor improvement. This helps us see — daily — what is working well and what needs adjustin.
About Our Faculty
All of our teachers have at least a bachelor’s degree — and just as important — a passion for working with students who have learning differences.
Many have education-related degrees, while others have degrees in the subjects they teach. All work diligently to teach our state-standards-aligned curriculum.
The Benefits of Our Nurturing Environment
At Atlantis Academy, your child is among peers, faculty, and families who understand learning differences. They won’t feel like an outsider because they aren’t.
With our small class sizes and involved parents, everyone looks out for each other — and everyone works together. We frequently invite parents to campus to volunteer and collaborate with our teachers, and we host social events and workshops for families.
For students who need behavioral support, we use the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports framework.
The primary components of PBIS at Atlantis Academy include:
- Establishing a clear set of positive behavior expectations
- Teaching expected, alternative, and replacement behaviors
- Analyzing student behavior
- Providing positive reinforcement
- Promoting student engagement
Social skills instruction is incorporated throughout the school day, including small group discussion, role-playing activities, and social skills training that is built into academic instruction. We place additional focus on teaching students problem-solving skills and strategies to prevent and respond to bullying.
“What I like most about Atlantis is that my son truly enjoys attending class and I owe that to the teachers and staff that make Atlantis feel like a second home to him. They are aware of and attentive to his special needs and I truly appreciate that. “
– Anonymous Parent
Why wait to thrive?
We’re happy to answer any questions you have and walk you through the steps of our admissions process.
Frequently Asked Questions
You are welcome to enroll at any time throughout the year, but we do sometimes have waiting lists.
We have behavioral therapists available, and we work with each student as necessary to reduce behaviors that interfere with learning. If your child has aggressive or self-injurious behavior, let’s talk about that and assess their support needs.
You never have to worry about bringing in your child’s therapist or aide.
Your child will find that everything — from our entryways to our restrooms — is structured to be accessible and welcoming for people of all abilities. Our goal is to provide as much independence and dignity as possible, so we invest in our buildings and in technology that improves learning and promotes relationships.
Your student will have safe access to SMART boards, laptops, and iPads in the classroom. Plus, our teachers and staff are familiar with using assistive devices for communicating and will work with you on training.
Our tuition is as personalized as our education because it’s based on your campus location, program enrollment, and financial assistance. You’ll find all the details on our Tuition and Scholarship page.
