The O’Neal School is partnering with Longleaf Academy to enhance support for students with language-based learning differences. This collaboration will launch with a Summer Academy on The O’Neal School campus, followed by expanded services for O’Neal students beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.
“We are excited to partner with The O’Neal School to bring this specialized instruction to students who need it most,” said Longleaf Academy Founder and Executive Director Jill Dejak. “Our goal is to empower students with evidence-based strategies that build strong literacy foundations and foster confidence in their academic abilities.”
Longleaf Academy specializes in providing research-based instruction for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Through this partnership, O’Neal will integrate targeted academic support, ensuring students receive the tools and strategies needed to thrive in an independent school setting.
“This new partnership will provide our parents a proven option to support children with learning differences, reinforcing O’Neal’s commitment to embrace students as they are and provide a customized approach designed for their success in and out of the classroom,” states Head of School Dale McInnis in a news release.
This initiative complements O’Neal’s longstanding Academic Enrichment Center (AEC), which has been serving students with learning differences for more than 20 years. Now joined by school counseling and called Student Support Services, O’Neal has supported students diagnosed with learning differences to go on to achieve remarkable success in college and beyond. By partnering with a highly reputable learning academy like Longleaf, O’Neal further strengthens its commitment to fostering academic achievement for all students, said the O’Neal school.
“At O’Neal, we are committed to providing top-tier instruction that empowers students with learning differences while equipping our teachers and staff with the tools to support all learners,” states Co-Chair of Student Support Services and Head of Middle School Elizabeth Sager. “By using the most current instructional practices, we ensure that every student benefits from a more inclusive, responsive, and effective learning environment. When we strengthen our understanding of diverse learning needs, every child thrives.”
The Summer Academy will serve as the initial phase of the partnership, offering specialized instruction and resources to help students strengthen their literacy skills. As part of the program, the Academy will provide training for O’Neal faculty and collaborate on professional development initiatives. Beginning in Fall 2025, Longleaf Academy will provide additional services directly to O’Neal students, further enhancing the school’s ability to support diverse learning needs.
For more information about The O’Neal School and its partnership with Longleaf Academy, contact The O’Neal School Admissions Office – [email protected] or visit www.longleafacademy.org.
Feature photo: Members of O’Neal’s Student Support Team stand with Longleaf Academy Executive Director Jill Dejak. (L-R) Student Support Services Co-Chair Elizabeth Sager, Longleaf Academy Executive Director Jill Dejak, Learning Specialist Nicole Wallace, Student Support Services Co-Chair and School Counselor Christie Rains.
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