Learning Disability and Admissions FAQ

What is a language-based learning difference/disability?

Some individuals, despite having an average or above average intelligence may have mild to serious difficulties in listening comprehension, oral expression, reading comprehension, spelling, decoding, written expression, math calculation and reasoning, abstract reasoning, generalization of information to new contexts, and/or problem solving. These difficulties might be the result of a learning disability, a term for specific kinds of learning problems. As students get older and have to complete more advanced academic assignments, their learning disabilities may make it difficult to be fully successful in school. Children with learning disabilities are not “dumb” or “lazy.” Their brains just process information differently. Learning disabilities are a lifelong challenge, but they do not have to prevent a person from becoming successful in school and in their community. With appropriate support, individuals with learning disabilities can learn how to manage their learning differences and achieve their goals throughout their lives.

What does it mean to have a language-based learning disability or difference?

  • A student may be failing in school, despite having strong potential to learn.
  • A student may be gifted in one or more areas, yet failing in school.
  • A student may have hidden handicaps that affect many areas of their life, not just school.
  • A language learning disability/difference is a life problem that does not go away, is not an illness and cannot be cured.
  • A student with a language learning disability/difference needs to be taught compensatory strategies in order to succeed.

What are some good parent resources to learn more about language-based learning difference and learning disabilities?


Understood.org is a great evidence-based resource to learn more about LDs and ADHD.

Please also visit our Director of Language and Literacy's resource page a well as
The Howard Institute for some great articles on brain research relating to LD and ADHD.

Can students with language-based learning disabilities go to college?

Most Howard School graduates continue on to college (90-95%) and have been accepted to more than 100 universities, colleges, technical schools and training programs. Typically more than two-thirds of our graduates are eligible for the HOPE scholarship and many are offered scholarships beyond the HOPE.

What's The Howard School Difference?

Each of our families was attracted to The Howard School because it was a unique fit for their unique child. We currently have approximately 270 students ages 5 through 12th grade from 60+ different zip codes.

Of course, students and parents are initially drawn to The Howard School for our specific expertise in teaching students with language-based learning disabilities and learning differences. But what families soon discover is that in addition to a robust curriculum, The Howard School offers a full school experience, with a wide range of opportunities and activities desired by K - 12 students and their parents. This includes varied and competitive athletic teams, exceptional art and music programs, performance opportunities, service learning, social events (including dances), clubs, enrichment, field and travel experiences and college counseling.

In other words, Howard students are not missing out on a typical school experience. Rather, they enjoy experiences, extracurricular activities, programs and opportunities they’d have at a traditional school, while benefiting from a learning approach that fosters success.

We encourage you to schedule a tour, visit our campus, meet our faculty and see all that our highly engaged students are accomplishing every day.

How do I apply? What is the process/time-line?

For information regarding our admissions process, click here.

Do you have financial aid?

Yes, we have financial aid for qualifying applicants. Please click here for more information about financial aid.

What school calendar do you follow? When are the school holidays? What are the hours of your school day?

Our school day begins at 8:30 am and ends at 3 pm. Our school calendar/school holidays can be found here.

When can I tour your school?

We would love to have you visit our campus. Information about tours is posted to our Campus Tours page.

What students do you accept/not accept?

Typically, our students possess average to above-average intelligence, have struggled in school in various ways. Their profiles may include diagnostic labels such as a receptive/expressive language disorder, dyslexia, executive dysfunction, auditory processing disorder and/or attention deficit disorder, or some combination of these. The Howard School isn’t the right fit for every student. We are not a therapeutic school, and we do not have specialized programs primarily for behavioral/psychiatric or social/emotional diagnoses, or children on the spectrum.

How long do students stay at The Howard School? Do they transition to mainstream schools?

Every student is different. Some stay at Howard for a few years and then transition to another school. Other families choose for their child to stay at The Howard School through graduation. Our expert staff is here to work with each family as they consider the progress of their child and make important decisions about the future.