Academics

The mission of The Norman Howard School is to foster the academic growth of students with learning disabilities while promoting their development as respectful, responsible and resilient citizens. The school is grounded in the fundamental belief that all students can succeed if given the opportunity and support necessary for individual growth. The program is designed to allow students to experience success, to help them understand the nature of their learning disabilities, to provide them with the skills and strategies for overcoming their academic difficulties, and to enable them to return to mainstream settings when appropriate.

Remediation in basic reading, writing and math skills and the systematic, school-wide use of strategies combine to form the basis of the program. Thinking Maps® and the EmPower writing strategy are important tools that help students organize their ideas in a consistent manner. Speech & Language therapists push into classrooms to teach students testing-taking and memory strategies that can assist them across all content areas.  NHS maintains high standards in curriculum content, with delivery of instruction adapted to meet the individual needs of students with learning disabilities. Classes are small (the average class size has 9 students) and students are grouped according to individual educational needs in each subject.

Students come to see the school as a safe environment in which to learn and grow as individuals and are encouraged to acknowledge and take personal responsibility for their growth. An important goal of the school is to have students understand themselves as learners, recognizing their strengths as well as their needs and acquiring the confidence and skills to self-advocate. A variety of after-school activities provide students with opportunities for enrichment and broadening the educational experience and help to promote self-assurance and positive interaction.