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Trusted by families since 1998.
Arrowsmith School logo
OUR KIDS REPORT:

Arrowsmith School

Grades 1 — 12 — Toronto, ON (Map)
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THE OUR KIDS REPORT:
Arrowsmith School
REPORT CONTENTS
Reviews
Analysis

School overview

  • Grades
    1 — 12
  • Gender
    Coed
  • Class Size
    10 — 15 students
  • Tuition
    $6,000 to 33,000/year
  • Language of instruction
    English
  • Special Needs Support
    Special needs school
  • Enrolment
    75 day students, 100 eschool students
  • Curriculum
    Progressive
  • Associations
    OFIS
  • LOCATION
    Toronto, ON (View address)

The big picture on Arrowsmith School

We summarized the school ourselves

The Arrowsmith School was founded in 1980 by Barbara Arrowsmith-Young to provide support for struggling learners. The school has been an object of interest ever since, due to the concept that Arrowsmith-Young built her program around. "If we look at a lot of special education programs, the majority assume the learner is fixed," she said. "What my program is saying is that we can change the learner so they can learn." While there are many things that set the school apart, that sense of what is possible is prime among them. The Arrowsmith School works closely with students to develop their strengths, address weaknesses, and build academic, social, and vocational competence. That the method works may be evidence of neuroplasticity, and science may yet underscore that. In the meantime, daring to dream —as well as creating a supportive, caring, understanding environment —can itself provide what many students need in order to succeed, and that's what the Arrowsmith school principally addresses. 

We questioned the school administration

1. Who are you, as a school?

"Arrowsmith School is a safe place for students of all ages to overcome learning challenges. Students’ lives are transformed as they are empowered to succeed through an innovative and brain-based approach to learning. Arrowsmith is a school where students learn to read, write and calculate at higher rather than reduced expectations. Our approach is to build independence and confidence by equipping our students with the cognitive capacity to succeed in school, work and life. With emerging strengths, students create a new reality for themselves, opening doors to their future. Enrolment options include in-person full-time, part-time, summer, and online programs."

  • Builds and strengthens cognitive processes necessary for more efficient learning
  • Trains visual and auditory memory, attention and concentration
  • Improves the fine motor skills necessary for writing
  • Strengthens executive functions
  • Builds capacity for both verbal and non-verbal thinking, reasoning and problem solving
  • Addresses academic learning challenges through a brain-based approach
  • Enhances critical thinking and processing speed
  • Builds self-esteem and a growth mindset
  • A safe and accepting place to learn and grow
  • Students attend for a short time and are changed for a lifetime.

2. What do you do differently and uniquely well?

We take a growth mindset and brain-science approach so students can learn. Arrowsmith school addresses learning challenges - head on - literally through a brain-based approach utilizing the principles of neuroplasticity. At Arrowsmith, students engage in an individualized program to strengthen underperforming cognitive functions that are interfering with their learning. By strengthening their cognitive functions and engaging in our small-group English and math programs, students can learn to read, write and calculate. We strive to position our students to achieve their dreams. We open doors to our students' futures.

3. What tradeoffs has your school made to serve families in this way?

Students attend Arrowsmith School for a short time to be changed for a lifetime. Prioritizing the strengthening of the brain’s capacity for learning means subjects such as French, science and social studies are paused. Often, prior to coming to Arrowsmith, students have struggled to get the full benefits of these subjects. Families are encouraged to provide experiences outside of school that address these areas. For in-person students, daily physical activity, the arts and excursions into the community are important components of the Arrowsmith School experience, allowing staff to observe cognitive gains in action.

4. What key junctures in your school's history have most shaped its present?

Arrowsmith began when Barbara Arrowsmith-Young, a bright woman with profound learning disabilities began to search for solutions for her learning challenges. Through her research she learned that her difficulties resided in specific areas of her brain and that she had some profound strengths as well as the weaknesses that impacted on her ability to learn like everyone else. Most importantly, Barbara learned that the brain can change, it can improve, and learning and living can take place without struggle.
First Barbara addressed her own learning challenges by developing innovative cognitive exercises that target specific brain functions utilizing the principles of neuroplasticity. Then Barbara began addressing learning difficulties raised by others. In 1980 Barbara opened Arrowsmith School. The Arrowsmith program is offered in schools and sites throughout the world.
Barbara documents her journey in her international best seller, “The Woman Who Changed Her Brain.”

5. What type of student is a good fit for your school?

Many Arrowsmith students are diagnosed as having a Learning Disability - such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, or ADHD… and the list goes on. Some of our students do not have a diagnosis, but have struggled to read, write, do math, remember what was asked of them, experience challenges interacting with others, or have difficulty completing tasks on time at school or work.
Many of our part-time students attend Arrowsmith to enhance their cognitive functions in areas where they feel they would like to be stronger. For example, our Symbol Relations Program is popular amongst part-time students who are looking to improve their processing speed, to refine their ability to make connections and deepen insight or enrich their capacity to comprehend or to enhance their performance at school or work.

6. Under what conditions would you advise a family against choosing your school?

To benefit from the Arrowsmith Program, students need to have the capacity to engage in the cognitive exercises for sustained periods of time. Arrowsmith staff have solid toolkits for promoting and supporting student engagement. The novelty and challenges of the cognitive exercises, including goal setting and engagement tracking promote focus and on-task behaviours as well.
Engaging in a trial of the program is an essential component of our entry process to determine students’ capacity to engage in the exercises and to ensure they can be a contributing member of a safe and caring school environment. Some students engage in are part-time program initially and expand their periods of attendance as their abilities to engage develop.

7. To your knowledge, why do families choose your school over others?

Parents choose Arrowsmith because they are looking for solutions to their children’s learning difficulties rather than workarounds. They want their child to read, write and calculate. They want options available to their child in school, work and life. They want their child to feel confident and believe in their capacity to achieve their dreams.
Arrowsmith School values relationships and collaboration between family and school in contributing to student success and parents experience this at the onset. Students, families, and educators work together to provide an educational experience that supports the cognitive, social, emotional, and academic development of students. We establish relationships that continue beyond the time that students attend our school. Together, we change brains and transform lives.

8. How would you characterize your school's image amongst the public?

Arrowsmith School is a safe and caring community that offers an innovative program for students with learning difficulties. It is a place where both children and their parents are grateful they discovered Arrowsmith—a place that has made a meaningful difference in their lives. At Arrowsmith, students who once believed they would never learn to read do, in fact, learn to read. The impact of this transformation is profound and lasting.
We are a school that inspires messages like this:
“I wanted to send you a note about one particular area that still blows my mind every day—Allie’s reading ability. She’s only 12, so I don’t know if she fully understands the gift this school has given her. I know without a doubt that her ability to read has changed the trajectory of her life. I just wanted to let you know, in case you needed a reminder, that you are changing lives through the work you do. As a parent, I witness miracles each time I see her eyes scan, recognize, and truly read a word. It’s

9. What aspect of your school is underappreciated?

At the time of enrollment, parents—and more often students—may not fully realize the impact that attending Arrowsmith can have on their lives. Students may not initially feel that attending Arrowsmith for a short period is worth the sacrifice of leaving their current school for the time they require in the program (1 to 5 years depending on initial assessment results), even though it can provide benefits that last a lifetime.
We frequently hear from our Alumni about the impact Arrowsmith had on their lives and what may not have been possible without it.
Here for a short time. Changed for a lifetime.

10. What might families find surprising about your school?

What is most fascinating is when parents try out the exercises themselves at our "Experience Arrowsmith" events. They soon develop an appreciation for the challenging work their children are engaged in each day.

11. What improvements or changes has your school made recently?

In March of 2019, Arrowsmith School launched its online campus. This advancement opened the doors to students from around the word and across numerous time zones. Our Online Campus with provides opportunities to join from as early as 7:45am until as late as 8:40pm, has also created opportunities for students to engage in a part-time program.

Arrowsmith Teachers utilize an innovative data management system which allows them to observe live-time student data whether the student is attending in-person or joining from home.

Our student dashboard was added to our Brainex system, allowing students and families to view student progress. Daily goals, work completed, masteries and more are visible to the student and parents, promoting increased engagement and enhancing school to home communication.

12. How will your school change in the next 5 years?

Our Arrowsmith School community with the support of our Arrowsmith Program Team are responsive to presenting and changing needs, taking a continuous improvement approach to evolving and developing our program. Student, parent and educator feedback from Arrowsmith School and sites around the world is valued and informs enhancement to program features.

As an organization that values learning we are actively engaged in research internally and with educational institutions around the world. Our goal is to expand the role we play as thought leaders in brain-science and neuro-educational approaches to supporting learning and enhancing well-being.


We got insight from alumni, parents, and students

Arrowsmith School: Alumni Review from Dan Goodman

Watch our alum interview with Dan Goodman to learn about the unique experience of attending Arrowsmith School.
Arrowsmith School, Alumnus Video Review from Dan Goodman

Arrowsmith School: Alumni Review from Marika Kotani

Watch our alum interview with Marika Kotani to learn about the unique experience of attending Arrowsmith School.
Arrowsmith School, Alumnus Video Review from Marika Kotani

We reported on the school in articles

Daring to dream

What if you had a chance to change your child's life, but didn't take it?

 

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