‘They’re bright and capable’
Laying the groundwork for student success
The rhythm and riffs of a lively jam session can be heard every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon at Landmark East School in Wolfville as students and teachers collaborate on popular songs or compose their own.
The After School of Rock program is just one of many creative and artistic outlets where students here can showcase their talents.
“We really focus on the whole child,” says Head of School Karen Fougere. “Along with the academics, creative expression helps our students reach their full potential.”
Founded in 1979, Landmark East School is Canada’s only day and boarding school for students with learning differences. Serving students from Grades 2 through 12, the school currently has an enrolment of 61, with a capacity of 75. Students have been diagnosed with a range of learning differences including dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and autism.
“We use the term ‘learning difference’ because the word ‘disability’ can be misleading,” Fougere points out. “They’re bright and capable but because of their neurodiversity these students learn differently. They need the information delivered in a different way.”
Classes range in size from a single student to a maximum of 10. The small class size ensures each student receives the maximum individualized attention and programming. Landmark East also offers intensive support classes focused on students’ needs and challenges for short and long-term goals.
“The focus is literacy and for most of our students the focus is reading,” Fougere points out. “We also have students whose need is in numeracy – math literacy.”
There is also time set aside for the students to work on all subject areas, including executive function and organization.
The school follows the Nova Scotia curriculum so students graduate with a high school diploma. Tuition support is available to Nova Scotia students who meet specific criteria, while bursary and scholarship programs are funded by local Rotary and Lions clubs and other community organizations. The Landmark East Foundation also provides bursaries.
“Through a program called Support Our Troops there is funding available for military families as well,” says Daniel Hayes, marketing and admissions co-ordinator at Landmark East. “Some families have received support from their employers as well.”
Students at Landmark East School have the opportunity to make new friends from around the world. The school has hosted a number of international students in its 43-year history, from a range of countries including the United States, Nigeria, Bermuda, Australia, Japan and Thailand.
“At one point we had as many as 20 international students here at a time,” Fougere adds. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase Nova Scotia and bring diversity to our school.”
The legacy of student achievement at Landmark East includes having 85 per cent of graduates go on to post-secondary education.
“We have students who go into highly academic university programs and others who go into trades or arts programs,” Hayes says. “It’s a very diverse mix.”
Laying the groundwork for future success is the primary mission at Landmark East School, Fougere says.
“Building self-confidence in our students so they can unleash their potential is at the heart of what we do,” she says. “We give our students the opportunity to experience learning in a way that makes sense to them.”