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The Foundations program is designed for students who have Language Based Learning Disabilities (LBLD) as the primary diagnosis, though students may present with anxiety, ADHD, executive function weakness, and other secondary diagnoses. Instruction is based in small groups. Additionally, students have reading tutorials using the Orton-Gillingham approach. These carefully crafted sessions are designed to remediate areas of relative weakness and to teach decoding and encoding skills. In Foundations at Applewild, students find great academic and personal success in our unique program that provides prescriptive individualized educational support while allowing full participation in the wider school community.
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A LBLD will affect the following:
- Reading
- Listening (auditory processing)
- Oral expression/word retrieval (expressive language)
- Oral comprehension (receptive language)
- Written expression (spelling, grammar, and mechanics)
- Mathematics
The Foundations program builds upon each student's strengths and interests using the following methods:
- Uses a prescriptive, sequential, and multisensory approach to instruction
- Supports the acquisition of language-based academic skills (decoding, contextual reading, fluency, reading comprehension, spelling, and written expression)
- Reinforces positive social pragmatics skills
- Presents information in a deliberately paced manner
- Provides instruction in organizational strategies and executive function skills
Who Should Apply
Students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, executive functioning, a language disorder (affects written and oral comprehension and expression) or other LBLDs as their primary diagnosis, who have average to advanced cognitive abilities, who would benefit from placement in a differentiated classroom environment. Students may present with anxiety, ADHD, executive function weakness, and other secondary diagnoses, but the LBLD should be the primary diagnosis.
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Foundations Program Curriculum Overview (Grades 2–9)
Grade Levels | Taught by OG or LBLD specialists | Whole Grade Level Classes | Applewild Specials (students do not choose between specials and learning – they get both) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 - 3 | O-G small group tutorials (1–3 students) Reading groups | Morning Meetings Social Studies Math Writing Science Language Arts/Fundations (Wilson based) | Music Art Drama/Play Design Time Nature Walks PE |
| 4 - 5 | O-G small group tutorials (1–3) Language Arts Foundations Math | Morning Meetings Social Studies Math* Writing Science Projects | Band Chorus Drama/Play PE or Sports Art Clubs Ski Club |
| 6 - 7 | Advisory O-G small group tutorials (1–3) English Geography/World History Science Foundations Math* | Trimester Rotation (Drama/Makerspace/Study Skills) ELL (if needed) | Concert Band Chorus Art Sports (athletic teams) Enrichment Clubs Community Clubs Options: Jazz Band Chamber Music Ensemble Play Ski Club Equestrian |
| 8 - 9 | O-G small group tutorials (1–3) English Humanities Science Foundations Math* | Advisory (can choose advisor) English Humanities Science Math ELL (if needed) Humanities & STEM Electives | 8/9 Symphonic Band Chorus Drama Art Sports (athletic teams) Enrichment Clubs Community Clubs Public Speaking Secondary School Counseling Options: Jazz Band Chamber Music Ensemble Play Ski Club Equestrian |
*Math is taught according to developmental level – some students are in accelerated and/or traditional math courses. Our Foundations math classes are taught using Woodin Math.
The Foundations program for grades 2 through 5 provides specialized support within a structured and inclusive learning environment. Students are part of their traditional grade-level homerooms while receiving targeted instruction tailored to their language-based learning needs. They participate in their grade-level homerooms, including Morning Meetings and Closing Circles, and are fully immersed in the broader K-5 community during much of their day. During core academic periods in the morning - such as reading, writing, and Spanish - Foundations students receive small-group instruction led by an Orton-Gillingham certified teacher. They rejoin their classmates for recess and continue their day, fully engaging in the rich traditions of an Applewild education. This includes Design Thinking, Nature Walks, Art, P.E., Science, Music, and Drama. Math instruction is provided within the whole-class setting, with differentiated support to ensure each student’s success.
The program builds upon each student's strengths and interests through:
- A prescriptive, sequential, and multisensory approach to instruction
- Targeted support for developing language-based academic skills, including decoding, contextual reading, reading comprehension, spelling, and written expression
- Reinforcement of positive social pragmatics skills to enhance communication and peer interactions
- Deliberate pacing of instruction to enhance comprehension and retention
- High-interest thematic units designed to strengthen receptive and expressive language skills
- Ongoing assessment, including curriculum-based, formative, and summative evaluations to measure student progress
- Instruction in executive function and organizational strategies
- Development of student independence through metacognition and self-advocacy
Combining specialized instruction with an inclusive school experience, the Foundations program equips students with the skills, confidence, and support they need to thrive academically and socially at Applewild.
FoundationsFoundations students in grades 6 through 9 learn in a dedicated language-based classroom that also serves as their advisory, providing academic, social, and emotional support while fostering independence for success in secondary school and beyond. Core academic instruction - including language arts, history, math, and science - is delivered in small groups by specialized educators who tailor lessons to students' individual learning profiles. Orton-Gillingham instruction is incorporated into literacy-based courses through small-group or one-on-one sessions to reinforce reading and writing skills. Students participate fully in the broader Applewild community, joining their grade-level peers for art, STEM, instrumental and choral music, electives, sports, and community clubs. This balanced approach allows students to benefit from specialized instruction in a close-knit learning community designed for their unique needs while engaging in Applewild’s rich educational and extracurricular opportunities. Often, students choose to take individual classes in the traditional program.
The program builds upon each student's strengths and interests through:
- A prescriptive, sequential, and multisensory approach to instruction
- Targeted support for developing language-based academic skills, including decoding, contextual reading, reading comprehension, spelling, and written expression
- Reinforcement of positive social pragmatics skills to enhance communication and peer interactions
- Deliberate pacing of instruction to enhance comprehension and retention
- High-interest thematic units designed to strengthen receptive and expressive language skills
- Ongoing assessment, including curriculum-based, formative, and summative evaluations to measure student progress
- Instruction in executive function and organizational strategies
- Development of student independence through metacognition and self-advocacy
- Foundations Day Grade 2-5 Pullout Program - $43,000
- Foundations Day Grade 6-9 - $52,000
- Foundations 5-Day Boarding Grade 4-7 - $74,200
- Foundations 7-Day Boarding Grade 4-7 - $83,000
Emily Hamberger is the 4th/5th grade Foundations homeroom teacher here at Applewild. She teaches Foundations English Language Arts as well as Social Studies. Emily received her B.S. in Elementary Education with a concentration in Social Studies from the University of Vermont. For the last 4 years she has worked with students of all ages both in Vermont and here in Massachusetts. Emily enjoys reading, playing volleyball, and spending time with her cat Mia.
Bethany has been at Applewild since the beginning of Foundations! She is passionate about helping students with LBLD engage with curriculum, build confidence and have fun while learning. Bethany holds a MA in Elementary Education and Massachusetts licenses for Elementary Education and K-8 Moderate Disabilities. She is also a certified tutor through the Orton Gillingham Academy and occasional Vedic Meditation teacher. In her free time, Bethany enjoys tennis, travel, going to her kids’ rugby games and hiking with Merlin, her therapy cat in training.
Kayla Bilodeau has been in education for over fifteen years. She is a teacher in the Foundations Program and an Orton-Gillingham Tutor. Kayla holds a Master's and a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study in Special Education. She is currently in the dissertation process, working toward her Doctor of Philosophy in Education. Kayla is also a yoga instructor and frequently teaches yoga to the students at Applewild.
Kelly Carr is the math coordinator on campus. She is in her 3rd year of teaching at Applewild, and in her 10th year of teaching overall. Kelly's role is to support all K-9 students, teachers and families with math, and she is passionate about cultivating classrooms where students are exploring concepts hands-on, thinking deeply and collaborating. Kelly graduated from Union College, majoring in Mathematics and Psychology, and also holds a Masters in Education from Lesley University. Kelly lives at Flat Rock dormitory with her husband (Mr. Carr), her two children (Teagan and Logan) and her dog (Finnegan).
Jennifer Buck is in her 22nd year of teaching at Applewild! Having taught at various elementary grade levels, including many years in the 4th grade, she is now the K-3 Coordinator, as well as a member of the Learning Support team. Jenn is passionate about making sure each student has the tools necessary to be self-assured and successful and is certified as an Orton-Gillingham practitioner. Outside of school, Jenn lives in Princeton, MA with her mother and her adult son, who is an Applewild alumnus. She enjoys travel, live music, and comedy shows.
Dr. Packard has dedicated her professional career over the last 27 years to education. She leads a diverse and dynamic faculty and supervises all teaching and learning. Dr. Packard received her undergraduate degree from Barnard College, Columbia University, and her MAT at Sacred Heart University where she presented on students who were double identified as LBLD and Gifted. She then went on to earn her doctorate degree in educational leadership at Northeastern. She loves living on campus with her husband Mr. Ben and her very large chocolate labrador, Toby.
Declan Drapeau is the Learning Support Coordinator for grades 5-9. He lives in and loves the city of Fitchburg. He earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Santa Fe University of Art and Design in New Mexico. He has been teaching since 2013 when he completed his teacher training with New Teachers Collaborative based out of Parker Charter on Devens. He earned his Master’s in Special Education from Fitchburg State University and also received his certification from The Orton-Gillingham Academy. He loves being able to work with students in tutoring, Writing Lab, the creative arts magazine, and advisory. His two adorable, brilliant, funny children attend Applewild’s Preschool. He decided to start boxing recently, much to his family’s chagrin.
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