Shine On
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
Swift School prepares students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences to be successful in life.
Learning for Life 2
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
Transformative A life-changing, transformative journey begins when students learn to trust, feel a sense of belonging, and discover who they are as learners. Students whose self-esteem suffered, find confidence. Students who struggled to read, discover the keys to unlock literacy. They learn to embrace their strengths and weaknesses and are empowered to confidently pursue their education.
Immersive Swift is an immersive learning environment designed to teach students with dyslexia. In every class and throughout the day, expert educators use evidence-based techniques tailored to individual learning profiles. Swift maximizes the potential and creativity of every student, which are often unrealized elsewhere.
Positive
The Swift Effect® is evident the minute you walk through our doors; the positive vibe is palpable. Students are smiling, engaged, and actively focused on learning. Students develop friendships and experience a sense of community. They emerge with an unwavering belief in themselves and their abilities.
The Swift Effect® is not magic and yet it is magical. Swift School
3
A Difference, Not a Disability When your child is struggling in school, it is natural to perceive dyslexia as a deficit.
Dyslexia is a lifelong, language-based, learning difference which affects up to 20% of the population. This learning difference is neurobiological in nature and occurs in people of all genders, races, and economic backgrounds. While dyslexia is primarily known for its effect on literacy, it can also profoundly impact a person's social-emotional well-being. The struggles that people with dyslexia face are not from a lack of intelligence. In fact, the unique way in which a person with dyslexia processes information often leads to out-ofthe-box thinking and superior problem-solving abilities. Tackling the language difference comes down to delivering instruction using a structured literacy approach. With proper instruction, dyslexics can go on to lead highly successful lives.
Dyslexic students are brig ht and creative with immense potential. 4
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
“Someone once told me that the learning curve for the dyslexic brain is much like stringing lights on a Christmas tree. You have those strings of light that turn on the instant you plug them in, and then there are also strands that require you to turn on a few light bulbs before the string of lights clicks on. When you finish and step back, you might notice that some strands are much brighter than others. The bright bunches make up the talents that dyslexic individuals naturally use to overcompensate for those dimmer bunches that require more attention and patience to turn on. In my experience, in addition to natural talents, the hard work and perseverance that remediation took became an advantage in the workplace.”
—Kirsten, former Swift student
Swift School
5
At Swift School, students acquire the gift of literacy through training and practice. Surrounded by caring teachers and supportive peers, students are taught to embrace who they are and nurture their innate gifts. They gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in life. Success with dyslexia starts here.
6
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
Swift School
6
An Immersive Experience Dyslexic students learn differently—not just when they study language, but when they study anything. This includes math, science, social studies, art, drama, music, and even physical education. In every class and throughout the day, Swift’s OrtonGillingham trained faculty deliver instruction that is direct, explicit, structured, and multisensory. Teachers of all subjects meet each student where they are, employing evidence-based techniques tailored to their individual learning profiles.
At Swift School, language skill development is intensive and continuous throughout all subject areas. All students receive daily Orton-Gillingham instruction.
Swift School’s immersive approach is optimized for the needs of dyslexic learners. Competing programs that only accommodate the learning profile of dyslexic students during reading and language arts classes do not provide the same level of support.
Swift School
7
Characteristics of
“
Swift School has created an atmosphere that has made me fall in love with teaching all over again. I say this because everyone I come in contact with, from the staff to the parents, are 100% dedicated to the social and emotional growth of each student. The Swift staff also understands the importance of rebuilding
“
“
the confidence of each student as an individual. Additionally, the affirmation and gratitude we receive from former students as they continue to excel is the greatest reward.
8
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
—Swift School Middle Division Teacher
Professional Excellence Swift's dedicated faculty members obtain an exceptional level of training in educational approaches tailored to the learning profiles of dyslexic students including Orton-Gillingham, WoodinMath, and a knowledge-based curriculum.
Educational Experts Maintaining high standards of research-based training in a variety of specific instructional approaches
Student-Centered Dedicating themselves to understanding students’ unique learning profiles in order to meet their academic, social, and emotional needs
Uncommonly Compassionate Providing a positive, caring, and patient learning environment that enables students to thrive
Intentionally Collaborative Working together across grade levels to provide continuity and consistency as a student progresses within the Swift program
Partners with Parents Building trust with families through honest and ongoing communication focused on optimal learning outcomes for their children
Swift School
9
10
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
Total School Experience Swift students receive remediation for the language learning
The Swift education,
challenges they face while enjoying a rich and stimulating
developed with
educational program that identifies and nurtures their strengths. Opportunities to explore art, foreign language, music, sports, STEAM, and community engagement projects
intention and purpose to grow
allow students to discover where they excel in life. Our
the whole student,
welcoming environment of small, relaxed classrooms with
incorporates
caring teachers enables idea-sharing, camaraderie, and
academics,
peer-to-peer interactions that foster social-emotional growth.
extracurricular programming, and social-emotional learning.
Swift School
11
When students love school, believe in their tools, and learn throug h self-advocacy, a br
“
At Swift, my daugther's full confidence returned, and she felt comfortable standing up and being a leader in school. Swift's teachers were able to really cater to her specific needs. Dyslexia affects each child a little differently, and they were able to really identify how to best help/teach her. She learned skills and accommodations that she still uses today, and she’s been a great advocate for herself since attending Swift. You will never regret sending your child to Swift.
12
”
—Parent of a student who attended
Swift from 4th through 6th grade
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
abilities, utilize support rig hter future emerges.
Measured Results At Swift, our students are given assessments
The goal of a Swift
several times during the academic year to
education is expansion
determine where they are, where they need to go, and how they are evolving. Students are continually monitored to assess where progress
and growth. Tracking progress is essential.
is being made and where more support may be needed. Frequent communications and conferences are an integral part of Swift’s partnership to keep parents informed of their child’s progress. Clearly, scores and testing only tell part of the story. A student’s enthusiasm for school and learning is also an important measure of success. A student who loses motivation to try in school is unlikely to ever succeed. Swift is intentionally focused on engaging students by encouraging independence and competency. When students love school, believe in their abilities, utilize support tools, and learn selfadvocacy, a brighter future emerges.
Swift School
13
Portrait of a Graduate
Leverage Strengths Swift students learn to utilize tools and strategies that enable them to reach their full potential.
Unlock Confidence Swift students build a deep understanding and acceptance of their strengths and challenges, resulting in a steadfast belief in themselves.
my son in a way that he could learn and
Advocate Relentlessly
understand. This success
Swift students develop the resilience and
gave him hope, a belief
determination to speak up for themselves
in himself and his ability
and their learning needs.
to succeed, and self-
Embrace Responsibility
confidence.”
Swift students exhibit empathy and model
—Parent of a student
citizenship through their actions and words,
who attended Swift from
becoming positive contributors to their
4th through 8th grade
communities.
Celebrate Success Swift students move forward empowered, prepared, and ready to thrive.
14
“ Swift was able to teach
Success with Dyslexia Starts Here
A Heartwarming Success Story Swift School alumnus Ronin Molina-Salas has arguably the coolest career of any Swift alumni. Ronin spent six years at Swift School, which helped prepare him for his career. Ronin spends his days underwater as a commercial diver. He was interviewed by Good Day Atlanta’s Lindsey Tuman to discuss his time
Scan the QR code to watch Ronin’s interview
immersed in the underwater world and how Swift School gave him the tools to succeed and view dyslexia in a positive light.
“
I still have all my old templates from Swift. They help me do my reports.
”
—Ronin Molina-Salas
Shine at Swift
We invite you to visit our campus and learn how Swift School can transform your child’s success and love of learning.
Contact our Admissions Office for more information. 678-205-4988 admissionassociate@theswiftschool.org www.theswiftschool.org
300 Grimes Bridge Road Roswell, Georgia 30075