Elevating Our Impact - Case Statement

CASE FOR SUPPORT

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HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

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Researchers estimate that 15-20% of the general population has dyslexia or a related language-based learning difference.

Until the establishment of HRS in 1983, no school existed in Washington state dedicated to serving the educational needs of students in this group.

The founders of HRS had a radical vision: to establish a school where students could be taught in ways that helped them learn and excel. They wanted to reach students who were unfairly labeled as “slow” or “lazy” and help them achieve their full potential.

Nearly 40 years after its founding, Hamlin Robinson School is STILL the only school in Washington state dedicated to educating students with dyslexia and other languagebased learning differences. Utilizing a campus designed specifically for this population, Hamlin Robinson School: erves over 300 enrolled students in S grades 1-8 each year.

ffers specialized tutoring services O through the HRS Learning Center to students who attend many local schools or who are home schooled.

ffers educational workshops, summer O programs, and events that benefit the local, regional, and national community.

ffers specialized training to teachers O who will positively impact students at schools throughout the region and nation.

Supports students who might not otherwise be able to attend HRS through a robust and growing financial aid program.

The radical vision of Hamlin Robinson School remains as compelling as ever.

HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

Demand for HRS’ programs and services continues to grow. Unfortunately, a growing wait list means that many students are delayed access to the education they need and deserve.

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Students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences are as bright and capable as anyone else — they just learn differently. For many, coming to HRS is the first time they experience success, confidence, pride, and a sense of belonging in school.

Hamlin Robinson School provides a full academic curriculum focused on building confident, self-advocating learners:

multi-sensory, structured literacy A approach — employing visual, auditory, and kinesthetic-tactile pathways — is the foundation of the HRS reading and writing program. core curriculum of language, science, A and math is enhanced by art, music, tech, PE, library, and drama classes.

An integral approach serves the emotional needs of students.

Hamlin Robinson School students learn the skills and confidence needed to advance successfully to high school and beyond. HRS alumni have gone on to attend colleges such as: Seattle University UW and WSU Syracuse University Montana State University Gonzaga University University of Southern California Bellevue College George Washington University Scripps College Pacific Lutheran University Boise State University And many other universities, colleges, and trade schools

HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

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The HRS Learning Center extends the impact of Hamlin Robinson School’s programs beyond the walls of the school.

Through student services and community outreach events, the HRS Learning Center shares the proven strengths and resources of HRS with thousands of students, families and educational professionals.

In 2018-2019:

More than 400 students (majority from

Almost 500 teachers (majority from outside of HRS) attended specialized professional development events delivered by the HRS Learning Center — enabling them to better meet the needs of their students.

arents, families, and educators from P across the region and nation attended numerous community outreach events where they gained knowledge and understanding of dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.

Growing demand for the HRS Learning Center services must be met with increased tutoring space, an expanded event venue, and stateof-the-art technology capable of reaching and teaching a national audience.

“ Seattle is known for the Space Needle, coffee, and some of the largest tech companies in the world. Soon it will be known for the HRS Learning Center.”

— H R S PA R E N T

HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

outside of HRS) attended over 4,100 tutoring sessions with the specially trained staff of the HRS Learning Center.

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Hamlin Robinson School opened a specially designed campus in 2015, with the goal to reach projected capacity within 10 years.

However, HRS’ reputation of outstanding and successful educational programs resulted in classrooms filled to capacity within five years.

HRS Anticipates Skyrocketing Need in Response to New WA Legislation

There is no question the demand for HRS’s expertise will increase exponentially in the near future. In May of 2018, the Washington State Legislature passed Senate Bill SB 6162, which requires the state to screen all children in Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd Grades for indications of dyslexia, starting in 2020. As more children are identified, the need for services for these students and their families will grow significantly.

n enrollment waitlist of students who A desperately need the HRS educational program grows steadily at almost every grade level. Regrettably, students who are unable to access HRS programs and teachers continue to experience academic and social challenges.

HRS program development and expansion to address unmet needs has become more limited, delayed, or halted.

HRS views access to quality instruction as a social justice and equity issue. Recent statistics show that 80% of incarcerated persons in the U.S. are functionally illiterate, and as many as 48% may be classified as dyslexic. A clear correlation exists between the ability to read and the options one might perceive in life. The importance of early identification of reading difficulties and proactive remediation cannot be overstated.

HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

The need for HRS’ services has outpaced what can be provided by the current facility and campus. As a result:

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In May of 2018, the HRS Board of Trustees seized the opportunity to purchase a highly coveted property — directly across the street from the school’s current campus.

The owners of that property — Seattle’s renowned Oberto family — recognized the growing community need for Hamlin Robinson School’s educational programs and offered to sell their Oberto retail store location to HRS. The property was viewed as highly advantageous for several reasons: I ts location adjacent to the current HRS facility allows for the creation of an integrated campus.

It encompasses an entire block with access to openness and light on all four sides.

It offers proximity for families to a major new light rail station connecting the Rainier Valley to communities north and south of HRS, as well as to the Eastside.

It strengthens the geographic corridor as a thriving and expanding education center.

Recognizing that the opportunity to acquire this ideal expansion property would likely never happen again, the HRS Board moved forward with the purchase. Plans began to construct a new middle school, with a proposed opening in fall of 2022. The Board voted to launch the Elevating Our Impact capital campaign in the fall of 2019.

“ In the last several years, there’s been a wait list at almost every grade.

The new middle school will have a trickle-down effect, relieving pressure on all other grades to accept more kids.”

—J E SS I CA R U G E R , LOW E R S C H O O L H E A D

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PA AL CAM T I P A C S THE HR

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Hamlin Robinson School is embarking on a capital campaign to fund the construction of a dedicated middle school facility.

This campus expansion will build on the strengths of a K-8 setting and allow for innovative growth across the three core programs of the school.

1. Impacting Middle School Students The new HRS Middle School will increase access by adding enrollment spots, totaling 225 middle school students. The building will incorporate the same structural considerations that ensure the current campus is tailored to meet the educational and program needs of HRS students and teachers.

HRS Middle School students will benefit from: A learning facility uniquely designed for students in middle school

Flexible space for team building and collaborative activities

Dedicated science labs and library space with age-appropriate resources

Middle school physical education and fitness space

Designated areas for art, a maker space, and video production

Social-emotional specialists who focus on the age group’s needs A facility that continues to enable interactions and collaboration among students in Levels 1-8

2. Impacting Lower School Students

HRS Lower School students will benefit from:

lexible spaces that enable students to learn through hands-on projects F and group interaction

A dedicated lower school science lab for hands-on experiences An art studio and Innovation Lab for lower school experiences and skillsets Space for additional lower school enrichment activities Expanded services for lower school students — such as speech and social-emotional support

HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

Expanding the campus will also benefit students of the HRS Lower School by increasing enrollment opportunities for students in Levels 1-5, totaling 275 students.

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3. Impacting the Community The HRS Learning Center will retain its current student services location in the Lower School building and also expand to the entire 4th floor of the new Middle School building.

The new HRS Learning Center facility will: Enable HRS to continue its growth as an educational resource hub for the region and nation Allow hundreds (and eventually thousands) of teachers to be trained annually in a space specifically created for outreach events Provide an informational event site for parents newly affected by SB 6162 testing Expand the resources offered to the greater community — such as speech and language services, advocacy support, testing and screening, and parent consultations Enable HRS to expand its in-person and online tutoring services

HRS: ELEVATING OUR IMPACT CASE FO R SU PPORT

Permit day or night events without disrupting or impacting student programs and activities

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Project Budget

8+92

Total $35M Land $4.2M Construction $30.8M

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“ Coming from across the country and having heard many great things about Hamlin Robinson School, the visit still exceeded my expectations…It is a joy to see students thrive when excellent programs are consistently delivered to them.”

—ALEX BROSOWSKY, HEAD OF THE QUAKER SCHO O L AT HORSHAM

1701 20th Ave S, Seattle WA 98144 206-763-1167 | info@hamlinrobinson.org | hamlinrobinson.org