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New Perspectives - Oct,
2000 Issue #74
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LANDMARK EAST SCHOOL
Graydon Mitchell, Admissions Directory
Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada
800-565-5887
landmark@auracom.com
Established in 1979, Landmark East is the only international boarding school
in Canada specifically designed for students with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorder. Dr. Charles Drake, an American
educator and a dyslexic, founded the school, assisted by a board of directors composed of Canadian parents and professionals.
The students at Landmark East range from 10-18 years of age. They are intelligent,
motivated, have a history of stable emotional development, and must have a sound knowledge of the English language. Applicants must
submit results of a recent psycho- educational assessment showing they have average to above average cognitive ability and are diagnosed
with a learning disability and/or attention deficit disorder. The results of current and past achievement testing, school transcripts
and records, and any clinical reports containing relevant information are also required. Landmark East then reviews the application
information to decide if they create an education plan that will meet the needs of the students.
Landmark East is a one-hour drive from Halifax, the province’s capital and
the largest city east of Montreal. It is situated on five acres in the small university town of Wolfville, which is on Nova Scotia’s
Bay of Fundy coast. The Landmark East Academic Center contains 16 classrooms, a biology lab, a chemistry lab, a physics lab, a computer
lab, a library, administrative offices, a speech-language pathologist office, the educational consultant’s office, the conference
room, dining room, and kitchen. Other facilities include male and female residences, a weight room, a games room, the art room, woodworking
shop and an outdoor sports pad.
The Middle School Tutorial Program (grades 5-9) addresses the individual
needs of the students. The program incorporates a 2:1 pupil/teacher ratio and utilizes a one-to-one language tutorial to set the tone
for fundamental skills handles across the curriculum. Skills are reinforced and developed daily in small classes that contain a maximum
of six students. Classes include language arts, auditory processing, mathematics, science, social studies, oral expression, when needed,
computers, physical education/ self- esteem development, and study hall.
The Middle School Completion Program (grades 7-9) addresses the needs of
students who have minimum achievement levels at approximately a fourth grade equivalency. This program develops higher order skills
in reading, spelling, written expression, comprehension, study skills, and computer. All students attend six academic classes and
a study hall program each day. Boarding students participate in daily physical education program.
The High School University and College Preparatory Program (grades 10-12)
offers both required and elective courses. The courses follow the philosophy, outcome, content, scope, and sequence of the Nova Scotia
Public School Program’s high school courses through small class sizes and adaptive strategies specifically designed to meet the individual
needs of students. Landmark East’s High School Program is recognized by the Nova Scotia Department of Education as meeting the requirements
for a High School Graduation Diploma, which students receive upon earning a minimum of 18 credits. Landmark East offers a daily physical
education/self-esteem development program to compliment its academic programs. Students are given the opportunity to move toward independence
and self-control by being involved in a variety of sports and activities. They develop the confidence and skills needed to understand
and practice appropriate social behaviors when working and playing with their peers. Landmark East students benefit from using Acadia
University’s recreational facilities, which include an Olympic size swimming pool, skating rink, three gymnasiums, weight room, squash
and racquetball courts, and indoor and outdoor tracks. In the compulsory athletic program, students may be involved in individual
and team sports.
Landmark East’s school year extends from early September to mid- June. The
school can accommodate a maximum of 65 students in its boarding program as well as 10 day students. Its small class sizes and specialized
teaching programs allow students to receive intensive remedial intervention within an academic curriculum.
Copyright © 2000, Woodbury Reports, Inc. (This article may be reproduced
without prior approval if the copyright notice and proper publication and author attribution accompanies the copy.)
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