Affording Westmark

When you enroll your child at Westmark School, you are investing in an experience fully designed to empower students with language-based learning differences (LD). The benefits of this investment go well beyond our campus walls. The true value of a Westmark education —what we call the Westmark Difference—lies in the quality of life not only in our classrooms but also at home and into the future. 

Annual tuition for the 2024–2025 school year is $64,470. The required, non-refundable deposit is $4,020. Newly accepted students are also assessed a one-time fee of $2,125. This fee covers the cost of required assessments, technology, and system setup; it is not part of the tuition cost.

Tuition payment plans and tuition insurance are available. Tuition assistance is available to qualifying families with a documented financial need.


The True Value of a Westmark Education

Tuition covers the major educational expenses that families have come to expect from a college preparatory independent school, including:

  • Small class sizes

  • Books and 1:1 technology

  • Science lab and art supplies

  • Curriculum-aligned day trips

  • Annual retreats designed to foster teamwork and friendship

But as a highly specialized school that teaches the way LD brains work, Westmark offers what many independent schools cannot offer to students with distinct learning styles. 

Below are just ten ways Westmark helps LD students gain the most from their academic journeys—and saves families from many costs and challenges often faced in a non-specialized learning environment.

Student-Teacher Ratio Below the National Average

WESTMARK Student-teacher ratio below the national average

Westmark School

5 to 1

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Student-teacher ratio below the national average

Neurotypical Schools

8.5 to 1
Median ratio at independent schools nationwide, according to the National Association of Independent Schools

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Student-teacher ratio below the national average

The Westmark Difference

At Westmark, students enjoy more individualized attention and closer connections with teachers.

Systematic Intervention in Reading, Writing, and Math

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Systematic Intervention in Reading, Writing, and Math

Neurotypical Schools

Often irregularly scheduled and not at expert level required for student success

Usually a push-in or pull-out service, which separates LD students from classmates

Likely requires families to pay for out-of-school auxiliary support

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Systematic Intervention in Reading, Writing, and Math

The Westmark Difference

Classmates stay together and learn together at Westmark! Teachers provide intervention without isolating or separating peers.

Westmark families enjoy minimal or no need to organize out-of-school tutoring or educational therapy. This translates directly into cost savings and the gift of time.

Expertly Trained, Highly Specialized Faculty

WESTMARK Highly Specialized Expert Faculty

Westmark School

100% are trained in evidence-based methodologies for students with language-based LD.

Methodologies include and are not limited to Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood Bell, Slingerland, and Universal Design for Learning.

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Highly Specialized Expert Faculty

Neurotypical Schools

Usually 1–3 learning specialists to serve the entire student body

Usually only general expertise; not specialized in dyslexia and other language-based LD

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Highly Specialized Expert Faculty

The Westmark Difference

Westmark students boost their language-processing skills not only in reading, writing, or math intervention classes.

No matter the subject area, students learn all day from faculty who know how their brains work and what their learning profiles require.

Differentiated Instruction in Every Class

WESTMARK Differentiated Instruction in Every Class

Westmark School

Teachers who meet students where they are

Content is presented in a variety of modalities—auditory, visual, kinesthetic, or tactile—in order to reach and motivate every student.

In turn, Westmark students are afforded multiple ways to demonstrate their knowledge.

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Differentiated Instruction in Every Class

Neurotypical Schools

If available at all, usually a push-in or pull-out service, which separates LD students from classmates

If available at all, usually in designated intervention classes only (not in all subjects)

Likely requires families to pay for out-of-school auxiliary support

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Differentiated Instruction in Every Class

The Westmark Difference

Classmates stay together and learn together at Westmark! Teachers differentiate instruction without isolating or separating peers.

No matter the subject area, students receive instruction tailored to how their brains work and what their learning profiles require.

Westmark families enjoy minimal or no need to organize out-of-school tutoring or educational therapy. This translates directly into cost savings and the gift of time.

Classroom Practice Based on the Latest Neuroscience

WESTMARK Classroom Practice Based on the Latest Neuroscience

Westmark School

Methodologies based on translational brain research, thanks to vital partnerships

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Classroom Practice Based on the Latest Neuroscience

Neurotypical Schools

Not typical

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Classroom Practice Based on the Latest Neuroscience

The Westmark Difference

Westmark faculty are continually evolving their practice to reflect the latest neuroscientific findings. As a result, our students learn at the cutting edge of LD education.

College Counseling Optimized for LD Students

WESTMARK College Counseling Optimized for LD Students

Westmark School

Highly personalized guidance and strong college placement record

Browse through the list of colleges where Westmark students have been accepted and matriculated.

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS College Counseling Optimized for LD Students

Neurotypical Schools

Usually no step-by-step support that LD students need to complete the application process

Usually no familiarity with whether and how mainstream colleges ensure access and opportunity for LD students

Usually little or no awareness of LD-specific colleges

 

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE College Counseling Optimized for LD Students

The Westmark Difference

With on-staff expertise in placing LD students in a range of post-secondary learning environments, Westmark families have no need to pay the high cost of independent college admissions counseling


Find out about College and Career Planning at Westmark, and meet our Director of College Counseling, who completed doctoral work on the college transition of cognitively bright students with attention difficulties.

In-School Executive Function Training and Support

WESTMARK In-School Executive Function (EF) Training and Support

Westmark School

Westmark Organization System across all grades

A system of routines and procedures designed to develop and sustain the executive function (EF) of LD students, many of whom have ADHD

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS In-School Executive Function (EF) Training and Support

Neurotypical Schools

Not typical, creating stress for LD students with EF challenges

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE In-School Executive Function (EF) Training and Support

The Westmark Difference

The Westmark Organization System is practice-proven to teach students how to stay focused, organized, and on time. As a result, our students experience less stress and higher ability to manage life, both in and out of school.

Homework Aligned with Healthy School-Life Balance

WESTMARK Homework Aligned with Healthy School-Life Balance

Westmark School

Head start on homework during the school day

Lower School:
Homework focuses on practicing skills and knowledge learned in class.

Middle and Upper School: Time is built into study hall or Flex period for students to start homework while they have access to teachers.

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Homework Aligned with Healthy School-Life Balance

Neurotypical Schools

Often heavy homework loads that are not based on what was taught in class that day, causing at-home struggles with unfamiliar material and less time for family, extracurriculars, hobbies, and rest

Likely requires families to pay for out-of-school homework support; or provide it themselves

WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Homework Aligned with Healthy School-Life Balance

The Westmark Difference

Since assignments are based on what was learned in class or can be started in school where teachers can explain assignments further if needed, Westmark students develop an increased capacity to complete homework independently.

For Westmark families, this means fewer to no homework headaches at night.

Built-In Accommodations

WESTMARK Built-In Accommodations

Westmark School

Automatically arranged as required by student learning profiles

Accommodations include human readers or scribes, extended time, distraction-free rooms, and screen-reading technology.

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Built-In Accommodations

Neurotypical Schools

Often arranged on a case-by-case or available upon-request basis

Often modifications (changes to what a student is taught) are made in lieu of accommodations (adjustments to how a student is taught), which means students lose out on the full curriculum.

Learn more about the difference between accommodations and modifications.

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Built-In Accommodations

The Westmark Difference

Because Westmark provides accommodations—not modifications—students are ensured full, equitable access to the curriculum.

No need to battle for what your student is entitled to and needs in order to succeed.

Inclusive, High-Caliber Arts and Athletics Programs

WESTMARK Inclusive, High-Caliber Arts and Athletics Programs

Westmark School

Arts instructors who offer multiple ways to develop their artistic talents

Coaches who prioritize brain health and create opportunity for skillful, competitive play 

Three league championships in 2023–2024!

NEUROTYPICAL SCHOOLS Inclusive, High-Caliber Arts and Athletics Programs

Neurotypical Schools

LD students with gross and fine motor challenges, working memory difficulties, and/or other issues may not participate successfully in other schools’ arts and athletics programs.

GPA minimums and homework demands can make participation/qualification out of reach.

Students are often limited to one sport.

THE WESTMARK DIFFERENCE Inclusive, High-Caliber Arts and Athletics Programs

The Westmark Difference

As LD specialists, Westmark arts faculty know how to leverage each student’s strengths and interests so that every young artist can explore and express their creativity.

For example, students who may find it hard to deliver lines are tapped to sing or use physical comedy; or students with fine motor challenges are introduced to a more suitable visual art form or musical instrument.

Everyone who wishes to play a sport is welcome, so every young athlete can experience team and individual accomplishment.

Westmark is a very unique and special place, providing a breadth of services not typically found under one roof. We are lucky to have found a school for our son that is the right fit. 

Joe
Westmark Parent