Located in South Wales, NY, The Gow School, was founded in 1926 by Peter Gow. It is the nation’s oldest preparatory school for children with language based learning disabilities. Gow is a non-profit college preparatory school for dyslexic young men grades 7-12. Housing 146 young men, the school sits on a 120-acre campus that includes a trout stream, hilly woodlands, athletic fields, tennis courts, a ski/snowboard slope, and a ropes course. The Gow School also offers a co-ed summer program for ages 8-16. This program is designed for children with academic difficulties or language based learning differences, with average to above average intelligence.
Student teacher ratio is 4:1 ensuring that all students receive one-on-one attention. All faculty members are specially trained in the teaching methods that are most effective in helping dyslexic students succeed in the classroom. The curriculum is based on Reconstructive Language with a multi-sensory approach. Students generally take five academic courses in addition to one Reconstructive Language course. Middle school students have a 90-minute study period each evening, while upper school students participate in a 2-hour study period. Students at the Gow School reside in one of three dormitory houses, which include a masters’ apartment. Of the 43 teachers and administrators at Gow, 28 live on campus, allowing them to always be available to their students.
During the summer months, The Gow School offers a Teacher Training Institute, which is designed to help the public and independent school teachers work more effectively with students who have learning deficiencies. The training is targeted for elementary and middle school teachers and influences awareness in learning deficiencies.
The Gow School is permanently chartered and registered by the New York State Board of Regents. It is accredited by the New York State Association of Independent Schools and is a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, the International Dyslexia Association and the Learning Disabilities Association.