Welcome to the Academy In Manayunk, a research-to-practice school developed in conjunction with The Lab School of Washington®. As Executive Director, I am privileged to work with an amazing community of students, parents, educators, and board leaders who have come together to create an extraordinary learning environment for children with learning disabilities in grades 1-12. The moment you step through our doors, I know you will experience what our students enjoy everyday... full-immersion into a world of exploration, art, imagination and innovation. We focus on their talents to foster engagement in the learning process. From our youngest students performing scientific experiments in over-sized lab coats, to our high school students exploring their interests by participating in the Career Academy, the building is alive with active learners who understand their learning strengths and needs.
Many of our founding members have spent years investigating research-based programs that focus on assisting children with learning differences. We are inspired by the proven curriculum and learning strategies developed at The Lab School of Washington®. We are honored to have received the enthusiastic support of founder Sally L. Smith to replicate this exemplary educational model in Philadelphia. With its focus on learning through the arts, enriched "academic club methodology," and over 40 successful years of meeting individual learning needs, The Lab School of Washington® model offers a proven track record of success. Sadly, Sally Smith passed away in December, 2007, but she truly inspired us all at the Academy In Manayunk.
As a lifelong educator and mother of a child with learning differences, I fully understand the challenge of finding the “best fit” program for your child. Best practices are only as effective as the best teachers who implement them. At the Academy, you will find dedicated educators who have received their special education teaching certifications and reading specialist certifications along with Level 1 Wilson Reading certification. Our full-time team of Psychologists, Speech and Language Pathologists, and Occupational Therapists provide programs from CogMed, Michelle Garcia Winner, Lindamood Bell, Metacognition, Interactive Metronome, Sensory Integration programming, and many other research-based curricula. Implementation of the latest technology, designed to support the learning environment for intelligent students who learn differently, is critical.
The Academy is committed to creating opportunities for all of our children to realize their personal academic strengths and talents, following the model of The Lab School of Washington® where over 90 % of the students go on to competitive universities. This indeed is the true measure of success. Our educational outreach programs for teachers, parents and administrators will bring this opportunity to other students in the region as well.
I welcome you to visit the Academy In Manayunk. We look forward to meeting you during your visit and hope you will agree that the Academy is truly a magical place where all children can succeed.
Warmest Regards,
Patricia M. Roberts
