Dyslexia Program

At FPDS we are committed to the success of each child.

The mission of the Dyslexia Program at FPDS is to provide a Christ-centered environment where students with dyslexia are immersed in an encouraging, educational setting designed to meet their unique learning style while empowering and preparing them to use their God-given gifts to go out into the world and serve the Lord.

Established in 2017, the Dyslexia Program at FPDS was designed to support students with unique learning needs while keeping them actively engaged in the regular classroom environment. As one of the only programs of its kind in the state, it offers specialized services that are truly unmatched. Built on a strong foundation of excellence, the program continues to grow and adapt—providing exceptional, highly-trained teachers, proven resources, and effective therapy grounded in the latest dyslexia research. 

The Dyslexia Program provides the following services for students with a diagnosis of dyslexia.

  • Immersion classes beginning in 2nd grade and continuing to 3rd grade

  • Hybrid Class in 4th grade allowing students to return to the traditional classroom for part of their academic instruction

  • Academic Coaching for 5th and 6th graders

  • Dyslexia Therapy is for grades 1-6

Meet Our Team

Aimee Hudson

Director of Student Services

Caroline Bird

2nd Grade Immersion Class

Ellen Champagne

3rd Grade Immersion Class 

Audra Banks

4th Grade Hybrid Class

5th & 6th Grade Academic Coaching

Jennifer Higginbotham

Dyslexia Therapist

Meghan Kersgaard

4th Grade Hybrid Class

5th & 6th Grade Academic Coaching

  • Beginning in 2nd grade, this unique program offers our students the opportunity to receive the academic portion of their day in a setting that incorporates multi-sensory techniques led by a dyslexia therapist/certified teacher trained to meet the students’ unique learning styles. Students receive Dyslexia Therapy using the Orton-Gillingham approach and are provided increased one-on-one support across the curricula while enhancing their God-given gifts and preparing them to transition to the next phase of their educational journey.

  • Students who have been in the Immersion Program in 2nd and 3rd grade transition to a Hybrid Class for 4th grade. In the Hybrid Class, students attend a two-hour therapy block in the morning where they continue to expand upon the foundation laid in previous years. They spend the remainder of the day in a traditional classroom receiving the rest of their academic coursework.

  • Academic Coaching is available to 5th and 6th grade students with a dyslexia diagnosis. This service plays a vital role in supporting our student’s transition back into the traditional education classroom. These students often need continued guidance to reinforce reading and writing strategies, while also developing confidence and independence. The academic coach helps bridge the gap by providing individualized academic support, monitoring progress, and collaborating with teachers to ensure appropriate accommodations are in place. With consistent support, these students can continue building their skills and thrive in an inclusive academic environment.

  • Dyslexia Therapy provides diagnostic, explicit, systematic, multi-sensory structured language intervention which builds a high degree of accuracy, knowledge and independence for students with dyslexia. Our therapists use the Orton-Gillingham approach to develop a therapy plan that follows individualized and well-defined protocols to strengthen reading skills and other weaknesses related to dyslexia. Dyslexia therapy is available for students with a dyslexia diagnosis who are not in the Immersion or Hybrid Class.