We are now accepting applications for September 2012!
Limited Spaces Available!
Call us today @ 905-877-4221.
In the fall of 2008, we began an exciting new adventure at Halton Hills Christian School. Following the solid methods developed by Barbara Arrowsmith Young of Toronto, we have started a cognitive abilities class. The Arrowsmith program is a vastly different approach to dealing with students with learning disabilities. Previously, students were taught strategies to compensate for their learning disabilities and the classroom environment was modified to accommodate these students and their needs.
The Arrowsmith program is based on the theory of neuroplasticity. It is now a recognized fact that the brain is pliable and elastic, not fixed as we used to believe. Therefore, it is now possible to physically change the brain in response to stimuli and develop new neural pathways. The exercises created by Barbara Arrowsmith Young over the past 25 years now make it possible for the brains of children with certain learning dysfunctions to be strengthened to the point of average or above-average functionality.
We have students coming and going out of the Arrowsmith room for 50%, 62%, or 74% of the school day, depending on their individual program. To assist them, we have 2 experienced teachers, trained in the Arrowsmith methodology, and 1 teaching assistant to aid in the classroom activities.
Students work on a variety of 11 different cognitive exercises. All students complete pen and paper work, some students work on computers, and some students use MP 3 players to complete auditory work. Students are required to do 70 to 100 minutes of homework, 6 times a week. The activities are unique and they definitely challenge the brain! The exercises work the brain as if it is a muscle. The new promise is that, as the exercises change the brain?s abilities, children begin to learn at the natural rate of their peers; they no longer require remedial support, program modification, or other forms of compensation. It is our hope and prayer, as the year unfolds, that we will witness these changes firsthand!
For more information visit www.arrowsmithschool.org
Testimonials:
"It was a leap of faith that resulted in substantial gains in our son's achievement in language. He gained confidence in his learning abilities and developed a better work ethic and greater focus. After only 2 years in the Arrowsmith program, our son is now in high school. He is able to maintain averages between 70 and 80% with minimal support. We don't believe that would have been possible without the Arrowsmith program." Brian and Joan Collier
"Our son Quincy joined the Arrowsmith Program (AP) at Halton Hills Christian School (HHCS) in the 2009/2010 school year. He was enrolled in his first year of the AP through the Toronto Catholic District School Board (TCDSB) in Toronto. Prior to enrolling him in the program he had been tutored privately by numerous tutors, he attended a private summer school and also attended training in specialized reading programs. All of this cost a great deal of money and effort on our son’s part and nothing seemed to be working.
He was a bright boy whose self esteem and future options were rapidly disappearing.
Once enrolled in the AP at the TCDSB we quickly saw progress in Quincy’s first year. He had made notable gains in reading and you could start to understand some of what he was trying to write. He couldn’t seem to make these gains with traditional tutoring and special education support. He felt the changes too and he slowly stopped telling us how stupid and dumb he was. What was remarkable was that the program didn’t focus on reading and writing. He spent very little time doing these tasks at school or at home. All these changes were happening because Quincy was strengthening the weak areas of his brain while working on cognitive exercises. As he did this, his reading and writing skills started to develop. It was truly exciting and amazing!
What we didn’t know or couldn’t know before attending HHCS was how amazing Quincy’s experience would be at the school. The Principal and staff are like no other we have come across. They are caring and supportive of their students and parents. There is parent - teacher collaboration and ongoing student planning. As parents of a child that is learning disabled this is very important. For the first time since Quincy had been identified as an LD Learner, we as parents were supported and felt like we were heard. We didn’t have to fight and advocate for everything. Our son simply went to school and worked on his program. The weight of the world was lifted from our shoulders. Now in his second year at HHCS (third year in the AP) Quincy’s reading is a little over a year behind grade level, his reading comprehension is at grade level and his writing is steadily improving. When we started in the program Quincy was reading at a Kindergarten level. He is now able to reads books and it isn’t a constant struggle to get him to do so. In addition, his self confidence continues to grow by leaps and bounds.
All in all, Quincy continues to feel supported by the staff. He has made friends at the school and is involved in school activities. He really is happy and comfortable in his own skin. We have never experienced a program and a school such as this. Our family is truly blessed to have been able to attend HHCS. If your child has a learning disability and is making little progress, the Arrowsmith Program really works on all levels and should be considered." Tina and Anthony Blandford-Grosse
Television Documentaries
CBC - "The nature of things" (an excellent overview of neuroplasticity)
CBC - "The Lens" (a one hour exclusive special on the Arrowsmith Program)
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