HOUSTON (October 17, 2023) – As the nation enters Dyslexia Awareness Month, The Briarwood School is excited to share that it is a founding school of a new education organization focused on collaborating and advocating for students with language-based learning differences. 

The Association of LD Schools (ALDS) is a new non-profit, private school organization including over 50 founding schools across the country 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 positively impact all students with learning differences. 

“As a founding school, The Briarwood School is excited to partner with ALDS. We look forward to collaborating with professionals nationwide to strengthen academic and social-emotional programs for our students, creating a strong foundation for dyslexic and learning-disabled students,” said David Mendlewski, Head of School at The Briarwood School. 

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 schools 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 now the association’s 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 the first week of October.

All founding schools will have the opportunity to help shape the association’s future. 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).

Media Contact:

Beth Anchondo | Director of Admissions and External Relations

banchondo@briarwoodschool.org