Research. Expertise. Understanding.
Three words which describe the resources you will find at The Hamilton Institute

Within its 35-year history, The Hamilton School at Wheeler has affected the lives of more than 400 students — students who may not have found success in traditional classrooms. Through structured literacy instruction and under the care of specially-trained faculty, children at The Hamilton School improve as readers and writers. Beyond academic successes, though, Hamilton fosters in its students confidence, curiosity, advocacy, and a joy of learning.

It is believed that 20% of children experience reading-related problems in school. Hamilton’s approach to teaching students with language-based learning differences, specifically dyslexia, works. However, to maintain low student:teacher ratios, a Hamilton education is available to a limited number of children. In addition to the small class sizes, the high cost of tuition makes a Hamilton education out of reach to many in need. The Hamilton Institute, with its outreach and advocacy programs, training workshops and conferences, and parent education resources, developed from the proven expertise of the Hamilton School.

Our Mission

The Hamilton Institute was founded to widen the reach of The Hamilton School’s impact across the broader Rhode Island and New England communities. The Hamilton Institute has a three-fold mission:

• To serve children with undiagnosed learning differences by offering free reading screenings. Specially trained faculty conduct an hour-long screening. Data and observations from the screening will be compiled in a written report. Results are reviewed with the family. This report can then be shared with the child’s school in an effort to better reach the learner. Contact us at HamiltonInstitute@wheelerschool.org for details. Signups for the free service can be made here.  See the box below for information on screenings during this time.
• To further educate families and classroom teachers about dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Professional development is offered to both educators and parents of children who struggle to read and write. The focus of annual events like the Learning Differences Seminar Series and our annual winter conference varies but always centers around how to best teach and support students who learn differently. Additionally, training in Orton-Gillingham, a structured, explicit, and multisensory approach to teaching reading, writing, and spelling, as well as other professional development opportunities, are offered each year.
• To spread awareness and expertise about language-based learning differences and teach children who are diagnosed with them. Locally, administrators from The Hamilton Institute and faculty from The Hamilton School collaborate with schools interested in expanding services for students with language-based learning differences.

Read Profiles of Hamilton School Alumni

Support the Hamilton Institute

Programs and resources led by the Hamilton Institute at Wheeler are supported, in part, by external grants and the personal philanthropy of Hamilton School families.

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