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 School
5 to 1
Neurotypical Schools
8.5 to 1
Median ratio at independent schools nationwide, according to the National Association of Independent Schools
The Westmark Difference
At Westmark, students enjoy more individualized attention and closer connections with teachers.
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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
Neurotypical Schools
Not typical
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 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
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
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 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
Not typical, creating stress for LD students with EF challenges
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 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
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
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 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
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
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 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
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
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