Every brain learns uniquely, with distinct strengths and challenges. When learning differences create unexpected gaps between a student's potential and their performance, we provide the support and strategies needed to bridge those gaps.
Early elementary years are critical for identifying and supporting learning variabilities before they become barriers to success. Our Discovery Service unites teachers, families, and learning specialists to deeply understand your child's unique learning patterns through strategic observation and assessment. We may recommend focused short-term intervention with a learning specialist to unlock how your child responds to different teaching approaches. This comprehensive process may lead to a referral for a psychoeducational evaluation to provide a complete roadmap for your child's academic journey.
Every child deserves to unlock their full potential as a confident reader and learner. Our gold-standard program transforms the educational experience for students diagnosed with language-based learning differences, such as dyslexia, by licensed clinical psychologists. This specialized, fee-based program seamlessly integrates targeted support into the school day using science-based reading instruction with the proven Orton-Gillingham method. Support typically spans 2-3 years, customized to each student's unique needs and progress.
Designed for students who have successfully completed early literacy remediation and show readiness for flexible, less frequent support. Learning specialists serve as advisors, collaborating with homeroom teachers to implement targeted strategies and accommodations in the classroom.
A transformative class designed to empower students with skills and strategies needed for academic success. This foundational course introduces five powerful ways to engage with learning while building independence and confidence.
As academic demands increase in middle grades, new learning challenges may emerge. For students without previous psychoeducational testing, our support team conducts systematic observation and assessment to identify learning patterns and develop targeted strategies. This may include short-term intensive intervention with a learning specialist or recommendations for external evaluation to guide next steps.
Primarily for students in grades 6-7 who engage in a comprehensive learning strategies class. This structured course builds independence while providing personalized accommodations and targeted skill development. Available during 6th or 7th period blocks.
Designed for eighth-graders and those middle-grade students ready for increased independence. Students receive “as-needed” support emphasizing self-management and self-advocacy skills. The Learning Center serves as a "home base" three days per week during study hall, with flexible learning specialist check-ins.
Students advance through Direct Service → Consult Service → F.L.E.X. Service over 1-3 years with a focus on college preparation and individualized learning strategies support.
As academic demands intensify in Upper School, some students may experience new challenges that were not apparent in earlier years. For students without previous psychoeducational testing, this pre-service level provides initial support when academic concerns arise. The school's support team identifies learning patterns and needs, then develops a targeted plan to address learning challenges and empower individual growth. Following this short-term support period, the school may recommend that parents seek a psychoeducational evaluation from a licensed clinical psychologist to secure continued, formal service through the Teaching and Learning Center.
For students with documented learning differences, this class provides key supports: protected time for work completion, reviewing and strengthening previous learning while developing effective study skills, building executive functioning capabilities, learning to access and apply accommodations with specialist guidance, and exploring how personal interests and motivations impact learning and achievement. The focus is on helping students achieve self-management, self-advocacy, and greater confidence as independent learners.
Students work through the same learning engagements as the direct service level, with increased focus on taking individualized steps toward academic autonomy. This flexible approach emphasizes self-direction while maintaining learning specialist support as needed.
This service level celebrates students who have achieved optimal independence and are confident contributors at Darlington. Many have transformed their learning variability into a unique strength that provides resilience and perspective. Students demonstrate successful application of learning strategies with no required class enrollment, receiving as-needed check-ins with learning specialists and confidently self-advocating for individual accommodations.
Parents play a key role as partners with the Teaching and Learning Center. When parents observe learning differences, academic struggles, or want to better understand a child's unique learning needs, seeking a psychoeducational evaluation with a licensed private psychologist is a place to begin. A student's psychoeducational evaluation serves as a key starting point for Teaching and Learning Center services.
For more information about the Teaching and Learning Center, please contact Jess Laliberte, director of the Teaching and Learning Center.
