A Different Approach
Specializing in individualized teaching curriculum, Walbridge School meets the needs and interests of each student. We are able to provide individual attention by maintaining a very low student to teacher ratio of about eight students per teacher.
This program is ideal for learning disabled, dyslexic, and ADHD kids, as well as any child who has had difficulty in a traditional learning environment. We also provide supplementary services in tutoring, educational testing, and summer school for children who are currently non-affiliated students of Walbridge School.
Letter from the new Principal
July 3, 2008
Dear Current Families, Alumni, and Friends of Walbridge,
Warm regards to all of you as members of the Walbridge School community. As the new principal, I look forward to being a part of this strong and supportive family who has realized the importance of Walbridge School as a respected institution of learning for children.
As the school year begins, I look forward to meeting you and hearing your stories of how this school has made a positive impact for you and your children. If you have not been to Walbridge School for awhile, I strongly urge you to drop by and tour the school and observe the program we offer our students. The unique educational environment we provide will inspire you for certain! The research on small schools is overwhelmingly positive: Students at all grade levels learn more in small schools; at-risk students are much more likely to succeed; the bonds created in small schools positively influence post-high school behavior; and small schools are more likely to be violence-free than large schools.
Walbridge School has a goal of 40 students enrolled this coming year in grades one through eight. After having preliminary discussions with teaching staff, I am very confident the educational program will just continue to get stronger. We do wish Gary Lewis good luck in his retirement as he leaves us after 22 years at Walbridge. Gary will be deeply missed and truly fits the definition of a professional educator.
Perhaps you would like to know something of my background. I come from a family of educators in the state of Washington. My mother taught first grade for 35 years and was the inspiration for my teaching in the primary grades. My father was an elementary school principal and my aunt taught high school PE. I taught grades 1 through 6 in two different school districts for ten years. I became an elementary principal in 1985 and retired as a principal in 2005. That year my wife, who works for Fiskars, was transferred to Madison and I became Executive Director of Child Development, Inc., a non-profit childcare organization with centers for low income families in South and East Madison. I resigned my position at CDI this past March and here I am!
My wife Rhonda and I have two children. Zachary is 29 and works as a Project Manager for Alaska Airlines. Our daughter Stephanie, 27, is a kindergarten teacher who spent her first three years in education in Houston, Texas with the Teach for America program. Both children now live in Seattle, Washington. The exciting news about our family right now is that Stephanie will be getting married on August 2, 2008. In the meantime, my wife and I are taking dancing lessons so we won't embarrass ourselves during those tricky wedding dances!!
Please do not hesitate to drop by Walbridge and visit. I can also be reached by phone at 833-1338 if you would like to chat about the school or anything having to do with dancing at weddings!
Sincerely,
Steve G. Lien
Mission
Maximize the benefit to students who learn differently using a comprehensive academic approach, providing research and education opportunities for our teachers, and continuing to build strong relationships between parents, teachers, students, and the community.
Vision
To be a well respected institution, educating children with learning differences in a unique environment; inspiring them to realize their full potential.
• Dyslexia
• Learning Disabilities
• Reading and Speech
On site Speech and Language Therapist and Occupational Therapist available for professional, ethical, and comprehensive evaluation, treatment, and therapy for children in all areas of communication.
• Maintain and Advance Skill Levels
• Math, Reading, and Language Arts
• Tutoring and Other Services
July 7 - August 1, 2008
8:30 - 11:30 am Mon - Fri
Register early for a discount!
• Specialists in Reading
• Speech and Language
• Other Subject Areas
• Speech and Language
• Other Subject Areas
We have an impressive 8:1 student to teacher ratio in core classes of math and reading, while maintaining a very low ratio in other classes. We believe in teaching to the student and not to the test, as well as to their strengths and not their weaknesses. Every child has an individualized curriculum created to help him or her learn best.