As the nation enters Learning Disability Awareness Month, Noble Academy is excited to share that it is a founding school of a new education organization focused on collaborating and advocating for students with learning differences.
The Association of LD Schools (ALDS) is a new non-profit, private school organization including over 50 founding schools across the country and in Canada that serve students with learning differences such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, and executive dysfunction. The organization is an opportunity for LD schools nationwide to have a formal opportunity to partner together, share resources and support one another to make a positive impact for all students with learning differences.
“Noble Academy has continuously sought out relationships with like-minded schools and professionals in the Triad area and beyond,” said Amanda Carter, Noble Academy Head of School and ALDS founding board member. “We are delighted to be a founding member of this new association and are excited about the additional partnerships that we will form, along with the many new ideas that will emerge, enhancing both the lives of students who learn differently and the educators who teach them.”
ALDS is an outgrowth of partnerships formed among LD school leaders at an annual LD Leadership Retreat and a luncheon at the International Dyslexia Association’s annual conference. LD schools are frequently the only specialized school of their kind in their region, so the association will make it easier for schools and educators to find opportunities to connect and grow relationships to support one another and impact more students.
“At ALDS, our goal is clear: to foster an inclusive and empowering environment where schools dedicated to supporting students with learning differences can come together, collaborate, and flourish,” said Cheryl Cook, who recently served as the academic dean at Lawrence School in Ohio and is serving as the Association’s founding Executive Director. “My goal for ALDS is to figure out how we can help LD school leaders and educators connect with each other about their work and efforts to support learners. We are stronger together.”
A LEAD on READ podcast from the Windward School interviewing Cheryl and highlighting the work of ALDS was released this week.
All founding schools will have the opportunity to help shape the future of the association. ALDS’ founding board members are from the following schools: Spring Valley School (Birmingham, AL), Noble Academy (Greensboro, NC), Landmark School (Beverly, MA), The New Community School (Richmond, VA), Gulliver Prep School (Miami, FL), Westmark School (Los Angeles, CA), Hamlin Robinson School (Seattle, WA), and Windward School (New York City and White Plains, New York).