The Kildonan School

Our son struggled academically in a public school system before coming to Kildonan. In the three years he has attended the school his self-actualization and problem-solving skills have soared. He is accomplished and confident in his abilities. The Kildonan learning programs, teachers, and especially the individual attention of his tutors have been a perfect match for his learning style.
—Submitted by a parent

My daughter is in her fourth year at Kildonan, and it has changed her life. She entered the school as a fifth grader, reading on a 2nd grade level, and doing math at an even lower level. She is now at the end of her middle school years, reading close to grade level, and feeling great about herself! This school educates the whole child, not just remediates the weak areas. My daughter is empowered with her dyslexia, and LOVES being in a school with peers and teachers that "get" her. The teachers and administration are accessible and use the team approach when problems arise, involving the parents in the process. The middle school curriculum is phenomenal; my daughter is reading books in literature that most HS students tackle. I can't say enough great things about this program!!
—Submitted by a parent

Buyer beware. Kildonan has many new, immature faculty that have only had a crash course in OG training. If your're lucky enough to get one of the few good ones, it is great. The faculty is so sparse kids get the same teacher many times over. Parents input is definately not welcome if there is a problem, hiding under e-mails and sparse conference times that provide little support. There are many socially dyfunfunctional kids that are not dyslexic making up the student body. Individualizing kids interests seems to be of little interest to them.
—Submitted by a parent

Our child started fifth grade at The Kildonan School in September 2011. Here is how our child has changed over the past year: He now wants to go to school every morning. He has finally memorized his multiplication tables and feels confident about his math abilities. He is composing reports about subjects in which he is interested. He is reading books. He loves his teachers. He has friends that look at the world like he does. He asked his mom to play Scrabble! He is now a happy boy that takes pride in his achievements. We can approach the headmaster, the director of elementary, and the teachers at any time to discuss our child's progress or our concerns. They are very accessible. Every child has their own iPad for school work. We are immensely pleased with the school, the staff, and the campus and would highly recommend this school to any family with a child struggling in the public school system because of dyslexia. The price you pay pales in comparison to the return you get. Your child will achieve so much more than would ever be possible in a public school. They will truly blossom. We cannot recommend this school enough for children that are dyslexic!
—Submitted by a parent

Kildonan not only changed my child's self esteem, but changed his attitude toward learning. He used to ask every morning " when is 12 th grade?" as he hated going to school so much. But Kildonan turned him into an engaged learner, building upon his strengths while supporting his weak areas of reading and math. Teachers have been available for conferences whenever we have requested them. The new headmaster has an open door policy to parents' input. Diana Hanbury King, the founder, who was a leading pioneer in OG education for dyslexics is retiring after 62 years of teaching but the school remains committed to its mission. It's a wonderful school for dyslexic learners, go see it for yourself.
—Submitted by a parent

My son has been attending Kildonan since September 011. This school is amazing!!! He has excelled beyond my wildest dreams he is happpy. He loves school. He loves sports. He loves it being led and I believe being a boy from a family of four he needs to be in a coed school. The rate hers and staff d head master are exceptional. These. Children are so fortunate. I hope you will consider this school if your child has dyslexia. My son Is thrilled. We were at nothi boarding school for four years nd this school as done mre in alf a year if you want my optioning.
—Submitted by a parent

I attended the Kildonan School for a fewyears and it helped me only with my reading but when I went back to real school I had a lot of trouble with math and writing and textbook assinments and organization, I think they want you to stay at this school forever but nobody should do that. You should go for a few years and get your reading up but go back to real school as soon as you can because you miss out on too much at this school.

My child wil be entering his fourth year at Kildonan as a boader. This school has changed his life. We sacrificed alot to send him there but it was the best thing we could have done for him. He is excelling in his classes and has made huge strides in his reading and writting. His confidence has also increased dramatically. The school offers athletics which was important to our son as well. Their Ski program is unique and our son enjoys it as well during the winter months. The school knows what they are doing and they do it very well. The staff members treat our child with respect and kindness. I would highly reccommend Kildonan.
—Submitted by a parent

this school has made a dramatic change in our child.The public school just didn't know to deal with his dyslexia even though they made lots of promises. Within a very short time we saw a dramatic improvement in self esteem, reading, and happiness. It was the best thing that we have done for him and are glad that we made the move when we did.
—Submitted by a parent

I had the opportunity to attend camp Dunnabeck in Western PA. I am struggleing to find information with regards to the old Dunnabeck address. I was literally reading backwards and over the eight week coarse my reading excelled 7 years. It completely changes my life. I now am on a quest to help 2 out of my 3 sons with their study issues. I want to walk them through my experience of the "old" camp Dunnabeck. Can someone help me with the old address and info about the "old" camp?
—Submitted by a parent

My son failed in school after school -- public, private and therapeutic. He was attending, at best, three days a week. He simply refused education. The only real progress he made each year was from his summers at Dunnabeck, where he first learned to read. Finally, he begged us to send him to Kildonan. I can't begin to describe the changes in his academic and social development. He is engaged, he is committed, he is happy. For the first time in his life, he has tasted success and is building on it. The faculty and administration combine technical skills, enthusiasm and common sense. They run a great school -- and as the father of six kids, I have had plenty of exposure to outstanding schools. I'd like to comment as well that the several negative reviews strike me as suspicious, perhaps the work of a single disgruntled individual.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a practicing licensed Therapist with a graduate degree in Counseling. I attended Kildonan for a four year duration graduating from the high school program. I learned many coping strategies to learn and overcome my learning challenges. The teachers and staff were outstanding in helping me to achieve academic and interpersonal success. I am very grateful to learn and grow from the Kildonan School.

Disppointed in this school. Faculty seems contemptuous of parents. Good news and they pat themselves on the back and expect gratitude. Bad news and they just tell you it's the severity of the learning disability. Just unprofessional.
—Submitted by a parent

I have seen kids come here that couldn't read or write - and leave being a straight A student and being accepted to 4 different colleges. It is a life line for students struggling. It is pricey, but does price really matter when a kid's life is changed for the better and they can go out into the world and make it a better place. Kildonan place this happen. The faculty and staff make the difference.

I am a parent of a boarding student currently in the HS program and I am thrilled with every aspect of this program. The faculty and administration are the most creative, professionsal, and caring group of educators I have ever encountered (and my child has been in 3 schools prior to Kildonan). I am completely surprised to see any negative reviews here.
—Submitted by a parent

I am a parent of a fifth grader currently attending Kildonan, and am also a special ed. teacher myself. This school has changed my daughter's outlook on her dyslexia, and has already improved her skills immeasurably. The entire curriculum is individualized to my daughter's needs, and the dirctors of the elementary program are completely adept at their jobs, and totally accessible to the parents. I highly recommend this school--we are having a wonderful experience at Kildonan. We moved 3 hours away from our home to attend this school, and are loving it.
—Submitted by a parent

As a teacher, it's impossible to do a good job at this school. The kids have problems much bigger than dyslexia and you have no support in addressing them.
—Submitted by a teacher

Too many problems here to describe: unmotivated teachers, clueless administrators, troubled students. Just say no.
—Submitted by a teacher

Attending Kildonan was the most important and wonderful experience of my life - I made close friendships that will last me my lifetime and had some of the most dedicated teachers in the world, some of whom I still talk to. I am very blessed to have gone to this school, and then on to college and graduate school!
—Submitted by a student

Our son was in the Elementary School and has a wonderful experience - horseback riding, one-on-one tutoring every day, after school sports, no homework (their 'homework' is done during a study hall every day with a qualified teacher who can help them...makes sense to me!!!) and an atmosphere that's stresses the importance of every child being safe. I mean, what could be better than this? The staff were like family, excellent at teaching to our son's needs and giving him an individual program of study that was perfect for his needs. I wholeheartedly recommend this school!
—Submitted by a parent