Your Child is NOT Broken

At The Howard School, we start with a simple belief: children are not broken.

Parenting a child with a learning difference often means being surrounded by labels, test scores, and suggestions for how to "fix" your child. Try this tutor. Sign up for this 10-week intensive program. Take these supplements. Do occupational therapy. Work with a speech-language pathologist. Try physical therapy. Don't eat these foods. Sleep more. It feels like a never-ending scavenger hunt with no way to win. It is no wonder that parents of children who learn differently can end up exhausted and confused. 

At The Howard School, we take a different approach. We build on children's strengths and give them the tools they need to succeed in school and in life. Children are born creative, curious, and full of wonder. We create a learning environment that allows children to reclaim those key parts of themselves so that their brains are free to learn and grow.

In light of that philosophy, here are common parent questions: 

• If there is nothing to fix, then how do you know when my child is ready to leave Howard? 
• Do you remediate?  
• Will my child be okay? 

Let's start at the end: 

Will my child be okay?

Yes. Your child will be okay.

We have over 75 years of experience to back that claim up. Since 1950, The Howard School has been helping students with learning differences thrive—not just in school, but in life. 

You don't have to take just our word for it. Former Howard students have gone on to become, among other things, social advocates, entrepreneurs, artists, and educators. They take with them something we see every day in our hallways: joy. Joy in learning. Joy in belonging. Joy in discovering that their differences aren't deficits; they're a doorway to creativity and opportunity. The Howard School transforms the learning experience so that students develop lifelong strengths. 

How long will my child stay at The Howard School? 

The amount of time a child spends at Howard depends on many factors. Some children stay for a few years, while others stay K-12. That's actually an advantage to our approach; your child can stay at Howard as long as needed. You always have the option to attend another school, but you don't have the pressure to "outplace" or leave. 

If we are the right school fit, your student can stay until it's time to go to college. Your child's unique thinking patterns and brain profile will tell you a lot about the possibility that Howard could be the right school all the way through graduation.

Our ethical obligation is to do what is best for each child. Because every single learner is different, the path to success looks different for each child. Our integrity demands that we not retain a child who is ready to move back into a more traditional school setting. 

Because we build our programs around the real needs of our students, not just numbers on a spreadsheet, our financial and staffing decisions are driven by who is enrolled, not the other way around. You'll never be encouraged to stay at Howard just to fill a seat or make a budget work. For every student, when it is time to move on—whether to another school or college—we'll help guide that process with honesty, care, and a deep understanding of your child's readiness.
 

So, do you remediate or not?  

Absolutely.

The Howard School specializes in remediating learning differences. But unlike programs that apply the same strategies to every student, we customize everything. We look closely at each child's unique learning profile: how their brain processes information, where they shine, and where they need support. Just as everyone's fingerprints are unique, so too is the way that the billions of neurons within each person's brain connect and communicate. You can read more about our approach here.

We use proven, research-based strategies to address challenges in reading, writing, math, and more. But we also teach students how to understand themselves, advocate for what they need, and grow in confidence.

Remediation isn't about "fixing." It's about equipping. We might equip a child with tools from Orton-Gillingham, or EBLI, or Singapore Math, or assistive technology. Our toolbox is deep and packed with the best equipment.  

Come check us out; see why the different approach at The Howard School means our students are seen, celebrated, and encouraged. Watch our teachers and specialists transform the learning experience into one of joy, opportunity, and encouragement. See all the ways our alumni have used their strengths to take their next steps and soar in life beyond The Howard School.
 

The Howard School is a private K-12 school in Atlanta serving students with one or more of the following learning differences: dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, expressive language disorder, receptive language disorder, auditory processing disorder, executive functioning challenges and attention deficit disorder.

To learn more about whether The Howard School is a good fit for your child, complete our inquiry form. Our team will reach out to connect with you and schedule a guided tour of campus.