BEYOND THE CLASSROOM: MIZZENTOP DAY SCHOOL OPENS ORTON-GILLINGHAM PROGRAM ENROLLMENT TO LOCAL COMMUNITY

Bridging community and the classroom, Mizzentop Day School (Mizzentop), an independent Pre-K through grade eight private school in Pawling, New York, announced expanded access to its Orton-Gillingham program beyond the school’s campus. Beginning in 2026, Mizzentop will offer students from the wider Hudson Valley region access to its array of literacy services, amplifying the school’s mission of providing exceptional educational programs and cultivating a supportive academic environment for early learners.

The Orton-Gillingham method, designed for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, offers students a multisensory approach to literacy instruction; each individual student receives a literacy education tailored to their pace and needs. This method guides students through sequential lessons that cumulatively build on one another as they master and retain each step.

“Our goal at Mizzentop is to offer diverse educational approaches and strategies that support each student's personal learning style,” said Karin Shultz, head of school at Mizzentop. “Every student’s path to success is different and unique. By providing inclusive learning opportunities, we are able to empower each student to achieve a positive outcome and become the best student they can be.”

Part of Mizzentop’s recently announced campus improvement and expansion project, the campus’s Herbert H. Redl Learning Center will house the Orton-Gillingham Program. Designed as a hub for specialized learning support and literacy instruction, the Learning Center’s renovations were completed in September 2025 and are fully operational for the 2025-2026 academic year.

Currently, three Mizzentop teachers are certified to teach within this program, with additional staff expected to earn certification as the program grows. Students from any school throughout the Hudson Valley can receive one-on-one Orton-Gillingham instruction at Mizzentop after regular school hours with a trained instructor. A testament to Mizzentop’s power of structured literacy intervention, all students who currently receive consistent Orton-Gillingham instruction have improved their reading skills across all areas.

Officially opening its doors in January 2026, students beyond the Mizzentop community, ranging from kindergarten to eighth grade, are welcome to apply today for one-on-one Orton-Gillingham tutoring. Mizzentop expects to serve up to 10 additional students during the upcoming academic year. Early applications are encouraged.

To learn more about Mizzentop Day School’s Orton-Gillingham Program in the Herbert H. Redl Learning Center, visit www.mizzentopdayschool.org/orton-gillingham, or contact Susan Parisi, Director of Teaching and Learning at sparisi@mizzentop.org or (845) 855-7338.

About Mizzentop Day School (Mizzentop)

Founded in 1998 in Pawling, New York, Mizzentop Day School is an independent Pre-K through grade eight school committed to academic excellence and character development. Guided by a mission to empower students to become compassionate, resilient and confident, its unique curriculum integrates the 12 Living Values Educational approach. With small class sizes and passionate educators, Mizzentop provides a nurturing, yet academically rigorous environment where each child receives individualized attention and support. Graduates are consistently accepted to their first-choice secondary schools and go on to attend top collegiate institutions, continuing Mizzentop’s tradition of excellence and regional recognition. For more information, please visit www.mizzentopdayschool.org or call 845-855-7338.