Sanford Shapiro looks at Stanbridge Academy
Wednesday, November 15th, 2006
Sanford Shapiro looks at Stanbridge Academy
© 2006 Sanford Shapiro
Located in San Mateo, California and founded in 1982, Stanbridge Academy is a school for students with learning disabilities in grades K-12. The profile of a Stanbridge student often contains overlapping and/or more complex learning differences than a more singular dyslexia diagnosis for example. Students typically have either language processing weaknesses or non-verbal learning disabilities. Students may also demonstrate a learning profile somewhere on the higher end of the Autistic Spectrum, including Aspergers Syndrome.
Stanbridge has a strong history of an instructional design that is inspired by pragmatic social language enrichment, sensory motor integration and project learning. However its signature is its strong and powerful Adventure/Experiential education component. Based in part on the work of Curt Hahn’s experiential education model, Stanbridge has created an almost one of a kind application of adventure education. For kids who sometimes struggle with resiliency, social problem solving and sensory motor integration, this getting them into the great outdoors is often the catalyst for important change. Whether through river rafting, bouldering and rock climbing, hiking or working as a volunteer in a soup kitchen, the sheer joy and looks of satisfaction for “jobs well-done” that eventually shows up on the faces of kids is one of the more memorable indicators of growth for Stanbridge students. Stanbridge has experimented with and grown towards a fuller and broad-based application of “adventure education.” It not only includes outdoor wilderness style trips, but also developing community volunteer service opportunities, an on-site organic garden, and an actively scheduled field trip component that truly looks to apply classroom learning skills in out of classroom settings. Going on a scavenger hunt for historical landmarks in San Francisco while having to negotiate train schedules, map-reading and asking for directions from strangers (with appropriate support and faculty guidance) is a typical Stanbridge demonstration of integrated learning.
As Stanbridge continues its long history of working with a relatively disenfranchised group of learners who have often not found success elsewhere, it is continuously working towards increased academic sophistication while retaining its rather large heart. Having been this school’s director from 2001-2004 I know first hand how it attracts a compellingly passionate and dedicated faculty. Over the past few years, the school has added full time speech and language personnel, and a mental health counselor and intern program to support the ancillary but central needs of their students. In addition, and particularly over the past two years, Stanbridge has demonstrated a commitment to fine arts by dedicating specifically trained faculty to work with all the students and teachers. At its finest, Stanbridge is a strength-based school that seeks to enhance the self-belief of its students.
Related at this site: Stanbridge Academy
I have another post of this website regarding Stanbridge, and I have to say it’s a wonderful school. My son is in the Junior High, one of only 11 students, which is one of the reasons for his success. Also the complete dedication of staff and parents.
You can’t go wrong with Stanbridge.
Dawn
Stanbridge has been a lifesaver for my 16 year old son that has been at this school for 10 years now. He began in lower elementary and is now a 9th grader. He has many friends, his teachers really care, and the administration is professional as well as compassionate. Our son wakes up five days a week happy to go to school even though all academics are very challenging for him. He is now taking spanish, algebra, multi-cultural english, studio art, and biology which is amazing because when he was 5 years old we didn’t think he would ever learn to read or talk. In addition, the parent association at Stanbridge is friendly and vibrant. We are very fortunate to have this school for our son.
Cheryl
Thank you, Sanford, for your valuable contribution to the Internet. As the parent of a son who is both gifted and learning disabled, I am grateful to Stanbridge Academy for providing individualized learning opportunities, especially project based and experiential, to challenge him without overwhelming and frustrating him. All this happens in a caring and theraputic environment!
Best wishes to all parents and students in finding the right fit for learning.
Ellen
Anything like this on the East Coast?
Ruby, when you say “like this” are you referring to the student profile, the adventure education component, it’s K-12 span, or all of the above?
Sanford-Thanks for your reply. I am referring to the student profile of nonverbal learning disability/Asperger Syndrome and the adventure education/experiential learning component. I’m looking for my 14 year old son-entering 9th grade in 2007. Ruby
Ruby…Got it. From what I’ve seen, the level and quality of the adventure ed program at Stanbridge, for this population of student, is unmatched. There are some other schools of course that can work well with kids who have an NVLD profile. The challenge is that the umbrella term of NVLD can cover a pretty wide range of school performance. I believe you said you were going to give me a call, so I look forward to hearing from you. Have you looked at the Franklin Academy in CT?
Sanford-thanks again for your quick response.I did look at Franklin Academy but it is very expensive and I am concerned that there are so few students. I emailed you through your gmail address with more in depth information about my son. It would be great to speak with you on the phone. How can I reach you? Ruby
Ruby,
My contact info, including phone is here on this site, at http://www.ldresources.org/?p=1307 Talk with you soon.
Yes. Thanks. Ruby
Dear Ruby,I’m looking for same kind of program for my son. Our boys played together many years ago; it seems we both are looking for a school in NJ area for our boys with similar needs/same age/grade. Would you mind sharing info on what you have found so far? Thanks! Midge
Midge-I remember our boys playing together. I have not had any luck so far and feel like I have looked around quite a bit. I’m still searching and will be happy to let you know if I find anything that seems to ‘fit’. Good to hear from you. Ruby
greetings
our 12 yrld daughter has language based learning diability & we are considering
Frostig Center in Pasadena… unfavoralbe comment posted here concerns me. Any comments?
Hi Arthur. I didn’t get the chance to visit the Frostig Center in Pasadena. Have you looked into the Prentice School?
thanks so much for the rapid response… as near as i can tell, our daughter’s IQ assesment (87) might preclude her from Prentice — further investigation of Frostig does not bare out the previous posted comments- though we continue to look
Arthur,
How’s the search going? I wonder if the Park Century School in LA would be at all a fit. I haven’t visited there but may be worth looking into.
Good luck,
Sanford
Hi,
Regarding New Jersey, have you visited Cambridge School in Pennington? Only a few years old, but seems to be attracting a great group of teachers.
Also, we are in Pleasanton. What schools in this area might we look toward for a 10-year old?
Ellen, hi. I have not visited Cambridge School in Pennington. Is is a school only for kids with learning disabilities or does it have a heterogeneous/mixed group?
Do you mean Pleasanton, CA? (I assume so since you’re commenting in the Stanbridge post section, but since you also asked about a NJ school, I’m not certain). Regardless of state however, you’ll have to tell me more than the age of the child.
Ruby,
Check out New England Academy in Beverly, MA.
John
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