Founded in 1968, Pine Ridge School is an internationally recognized, co-educational, un-graded, secondary, boarding and day school for students with language-based learning disabilities. Students with primary, specific learning disabilities and average to above average intelligence, absent of any major behavioral or emotional disturbances, come to Pine Ridge from all over the world to enroll in our winter and summer school.

Located at the foot of Vermont's Green Mountains, the Pine Ridge School campus encompasses 130 acres of rolling hills, forest, and athletic fields. While the setting is rural, the School is only eight miles from Burlington, the state's largest city and home to multiple colleges, including the University of Vermont. Recent studies have ranked Vermont as one of the two safest states, and Burlington, culturally rich beyond its size, is regularly listed as one of America's best places to live.

During the admission process, we seek the most current, complete assessment data available so that we can provide appropriate placement and the optimal academic and residential environment. From its founding, the school has been committed to the development of the "whole person." We individualize work with each student to remediate weaknesses and to develop areas of strength, interest and talent. Our approach is based on the Orton-Gillingham philosophy-principles of diagnostic-prescriptive, direct, explicit, multi-sensory, structured instruction, which is planned carefully to ensure successful student outcomes. The Academy of Orton Gillingham Practitioners and Educators approve the instruction provided to Pine Ridge students in both winter and summer programs. Pine Ridge is accredited by the Academy for its Orton-Gillingham training program at the Associate and Certified levels. Pine Ridge is also a member of the Vermont Principals' Association, the International Dyslexia Association, the Independent School Association of Northern New England, and the Vermont Independent School Association.

The Winter School enrolls up to 100 boys and girls between the ages of 13 to 19. Each day, in addition to five core classes, students engage in a one-to-one remedial, tutorial session, supplemented by an independent learning session called Skills Lab, where they work toward goals they have set with their tutor. After the academic day, students participate in the residential program where they build confidence and friendships as they learn to live and work with each other in a group setting. In this environment they practice independent living skills, such as cooking, team building and self-advocacy to prepare for a successful transition into a post-secondary placement. Students may earn a standard Vermont high school diploma at Pine Ridge School.

The Summer School enrolls up to 45 students ages 9 to 18, with dyslexia and other language based learning disabilities, for a six-week day or residential program. As with the fall/winter academic program, the summer program is based on the Orton-Gillingham approach. In addition to attending two, one to one tutorials twice a day, students attend classes in mathematics, communication strategies, art, physical education, computer technology, and study skills. Students also have time to enjoy a full range of outdoor sports and nonacademic camp activities-including camping, swimming, dramatics, hiking, and Pine Ridge School Adventure Center-based offerings, including the School's ropes course. Through such activities, students are given the opportunity to build confidence, develop friendships, and learn to negotiate with others in a group setting.

If you are interested in any of our programs and would like to request information, please contact us!

Visit the web site of Pine Ridge School.