Mount Pleasant Magazine July/August 2019

www.CharlestonsPrivateSchools.com | www.CharlestonSchoolDirectory.com | www.ed.sc.gov INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS ISD 208 W hen Trident Academy opened its doors in 1972, they had already established themselves as a valuable resource for students. Starting off as a Saturday-only tutorial program allowed them to showcase their unique skills in helping students with reading, spelling and math difficulties. Now, nearly 50 years later, Trident Academy is one of only 15 accredited Orton-Gillingham schools in the nation, drawing students from all over the country. Students with learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia or dyscalculia in grades kindergarten through 12th are welcomed at Trident Academy. Using the Orton-Gillingham approach, Trident Academy focuses on strengthening and creating new pathways in the brain and giving students the tools they need to transition back into conventional learning environments. The Orton-Gillingham approach is a multisensory, repetitive, tactile way of learning. It’s a phonics-based approach that works for students with learning differences. All students receive daily instruction using the Orton- Gillingham approach, which is carried across all curriculums at Trident Academy. After identifying each student’s individual learning needs, students are met where they are academically. Students are taught traditional academic subjects using multisensory techniques and experiences outside of the classroom. Smaller class sizes that average six to eight students allow for more one-on-one instruction. “Success for our students comes in different forms. If there is a student who needs us for the long term, we’re absolutely here for them,” explained Beth Switzer, director of admissions and development, “but we love for our teachers to help students ‘learn how to learn’ and then transition back into a conventional learning environment.” This transition can take a few years or longer; it varies with each student. “This is the school that can really change a student’s life,” said Switzer. Trident Academy is located at 1455 Wakendaw Road in Mount Pleasant. For more information, visit tridentacademy.com or call 843-884-7046. BY ALLI STEINKE A Unique Approach to Education TRIDENT ACADEMY