I am pleased to introduce you to the Academy In Manayunk, a research-to-practice school developed in conjunction with The Lab School of Washington®.  As Executive Director and CEO, I am privileged to work with an amazing team of educators, parents and community leaders who come together to create an extraordinary educational environment for intelligent children with learning disabilities in grades 1-12.  The moment you step through our doors, I know you will experience what our students enjoy everyday… full-immersion into a world of exploration, art, imagination and innovation. We focus on their existing abilities and talents to foster engagement in the learning process.

Many of our founding members have spent years investigating research-based programs that focus on assisting children with learning differences.  We are inspired by the proven curriculum and learning strategies developed at The Lab School of Washington®.  We are honored to have received the enthusiastic support of founder Sally L. Smith to replicate this exemplary educational model in Philadelphia.  With its focus on learning through the arts, enriched “academic club methodology,” and nearly 40 successful years of meeting individual learning needs, The Lab School of Washington® model offers a proven track record of success with children with learning disabilities.

Best practices are only as effective as the best teachers who implement them.  At the Academy, you will find specially trained and dedicated educators who have made the commitment to advanced professional development, including certifications in research-based curriculum and mastery of the latest technology designed to support the learning environment for intelligent students who learn differently. 

The Academy is committed to creating opportunities for all of our children to realize their personal academic strengths and talents, following the model of The Lab School of Washington® where over 90 % of the students go on to competitive universities. This indeed is the true measure of success.  Our educational outreach programs for teachers, parents and administrators will bring this opportunity to other students in the region as well.

I welcome you to visit the Academy In Manayunk.  We look forward to meeting you during your visit and hope you will agree that the Academy is truly a magical place where all children can succeed.

Warmest Regards,

Patricia M. Roberts