If you’re looking for a warm and effective school for your child with dyslexia, ADHD, or other learning differences, we encourage you to investigate Benchmark School. Located in Media, Benchmark School has been the region’s premier school supporting students in grades 1-8 with learning differences since 1970.

 

Benchmark has long been a pioneer in literacy education, well-known for its evidence-based approach. While recognizing the importance of reading as a foundation, Benchmark is deeply intentional about teaching students executive function skills. 

 

Building Executive Function Skills

Academic achievement depends on mastery of executive function skills, such as initiating tasks, using working memory, sustaining attention, planning, and being flexible. Successful students need an array of strong executive function skills to learn well. That’s why Benchmark infuses classroom experiences with both foundational and advanced executive function skills. These skills include: 

• Response Inhibition
• Working Memory
• Emotional Control
• Flexibility
• Sustained Attention
• Task Initiation
• Planning/Prioritizing
• Organization
• Time Management
• Goal-Directed Persistence
• Metacognition

 

Many other schools, unfortunately, do not systematically teach the essential executive function skills required for school success. Often, there is an assumption that students have, at some time earlier in their school experience, already learned the executive function skills they need to complete assigned tasks, such as how to take notes, study, take tests, and complete long-term projects.

The Benchmark Difference: Teaching How to Learn

One of the many factors that sets Benchmark School apart is its emphasis on teaching students how to learn and to take charge of their own education. Benchmark has developed research-based strategies to help students master executive function skills essential for success in school and life. Through explicit instruction and continual work on these executive function skills with increasing sophistication throughout their time at Benchmark, students learn the tools and strategies needed to achieve self-regulation. 

 

“At Benchmark School, our unique approach, set within a warm and supportive community, teaches children how to be critical thinkers with excellent emotional, social, and decision-making skills.”

 

– Chris Hancock, Head of School

You’re Invited to Visit Benchmark School

Parents interested in learning how Benchmark School can transform their child’s future are encouraged to attend an Open House, Saturday Small Group Tour, or private tour. 

 

Open Houses at Benchmark School offer a comprehensive introduction to their program. These events feature informative Q&A panel sessions with parents, students, alumni, faculty, and administrators. Attendees will hear presentations by the Head of School and Division Heads, who provide valuable insight into Benchmark’s unique educational approach. These leaders explain how the school’s methods transform students’ futures, setting them up for long-term success. To round out the experience, visitors are treated to a guided campus tour, allowing them to see firsthand the environment where students thrive.

 

Saturday Small Group Tours cater to those considering placement for the current school year (1st through 6th grade) or the upcoming academic year (rising 1st through 7th grade). To ensure a personalized experience, Benchmark limits each tour to five families, with two time slots available: 9:00 to 10:30 a.m. or 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The school requests that these initial tours be attended by adults only, as students will have the opportunity to tour the campus later in the admissions process. This approach allows parents and guardians to focus on gathering information and asking questions without distraction, while also respecting the current students’ learning environment.

 

Share what you love about Benchmark School with us, all comments on their Profile Page are counted as a nomination for the 2025 Main Line Parent LOVE Awards for Excellence in Education.