FAQs about Woodlynde School

List of 7 items.

• Are there additional fees to participate in Speech & Language, before and after-school care, Homework Assistance Program (HAP), Middle School and varsity sports, and most after-school clubs?

  No, all of these programs are included in tuition. Some clubs, depending on the particular activity that they are participating in, may come with a small fee.

• How does Woodlynde School prepare students for college?

  Woodlynde School follows a college prep curriculum that both challenges and supports our students. Seniors can qualify to take dual-enrollment classes at Cabrini University and Landmark College for college credit. Through Metacognition classes, students are learning to become self-advocates, ready to own their learning. Woodlynde School graduates are talented, hard-working, and metacognitive thinkers who are ready to tackle the next step of their educational journey.

• Does Woodlynde School have varsity sports?

  Yes, Woodlynde School offers three seasons of varsity and Middle School sports. In the fall, students can run cross country or play golf, volleyball, soccer, or tennis. In the winter, students can play on our basketball or bowling teams, and in the spring, students can play tennis, ultimate frisbee, lacrosse, and golf.

• How do students get to Woodlynde School?

  • There are 19 school districts that provide transportation to Woodlynde School. 
  • For students who live in Downingtown/Chester Springs, Harleysville or Philadelphia area, Woodlynde School provides private, reasonably-priced transportation. 
  • Woodlynde School is conveniently located .7 miles from SEPTA's Strafford stop on the Regional Rail Paoli/Thorndale line. 

• What is the role of learning specialists and how do they support students?

  • Woodlynde School has six learning specialists who are experts in helping students acquire the academic and self-advocacy skills needed to become successful, independent learners. 
  • Our Lower School learning specialist partners closely with our K-5 teachers to develop learning profiles for each student and apply supports and accommodations in the classroom 
  • Our two middle school learning specialists support students in grades 6-8 as they take more ownership of their learning, manage an increased course load, and develop strategies for self-advocacy and independence. Each student has dedicated time in their schedule to meet with their learning specialist in small groups during the “Academic Support” period. 
  • As students enter 9th grade, they transition to an upper school learning specialist who will follow them throughout their high school experience. Upper school learning specialists teach our Metacognition course, where students continue to learn about themselves as learners and develop strategies they can take with them for lifelong learning.

• How will Woodlynde School support my child’s social and emotional growth and development?

  • At Woodlynde, we don’t believe you can isolate a learning difference. We understand that a student’s learning difference is a filter through which every part of their experience passes, including their social emotional growth, habits and behaviors, relationships with peers, and the way they navigate the world around them. As such, we have a team of faculty dedicated to the holistic wellbeing of students: two guidance counselors, a social emotional learning specialist, a director of student development, and a school psychologist

  • Woodlynde School is proud to implement the Responsive Classroom approach to teaching. Our students in Lower School participate in morning meeting and closing circle each day, while Middle and Upper School students have a responsive advisory meeting built into their schedule.

  • Middle and Upper School students also participate in our Connections course. Based on the CASEL framework, Connections is focused on self-awareness and self-management, building social awareness and relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Constructed with attention toward an age-appropriate blend of Socratic questioning, dialogue, and role-play activities, Connections is led by one of our social-emotional/counseling colleagues and be highly responsive to the needs of the specific students in each class.

  • Our SEL team also runs need-based small group meetings throughout the year, such as a School Anxiety support group that meets weekly during lunch. 

  • Woodlynde is not able to offer more intensive one-on-one social emotional support, behavioral interventions, or therapeutic support. If you have questions about your child’s specific social emotional learning and needs, we encourage you to contact our admissions office for a conversation!

• Are there opportunities for parents to learn from Woodlynde School experts as well as professionals in the field of education?

  Yes! Each year, Woodlynde School proudly hosts nationally-renowned experts in the field of LD education. In addition, our teachers present talks in their own areas of expertise.