Alynn and Scott Purdy are highly educated, successful teachers who grew up with learning differences. The Purdys value individualized education that empowers students to set goals and achieve them–after all, that’s what contributed to their own success.  

Outside work–Alynn teaches ninth grade learning support in the Springford Area School District, and Scott is the Athletic Director and President of the 1,000+-member Alumni Society at Woodlynde School (which is their alma mater and where they first met) — they are parents to eleven-year-old Kyle and seven-year old Colin. Both boys have followed in their parents’ footsteps by attending Woodlynde School.

Located in Strafford, Woodlynde School is a 40+-year-old kindergarten through twelfth grade prep school that serves college-bound children and adolescents who have language- or math-based learning differences, executive function disorder, ADD/ADHD, auditory processing disorder, or who learn best in a small class environment. Woodlynde also offers a highly-regarded summer program for students at other area private or public schools who would benefit from its 4-week focus on building individual learning strategies as well as age-appropriate foundations in reading, writing, and math.

This fall, Colin, the Purdy’s younger son, will enter second grade in what will be his first year at the Woodlynde School. Prior to this, Colin was in public school where Alynn and Scott agreed “he wasn’t consistent in his learning and the output of that learning. He needed re-teaching, but wasn’t getting it.”

“Colin was enrolled in the summer program at Woodlynde and we are already seeing a big difference. We are looking forward to additional success with the start of the school year,” said Alynn.

As alumni and now parents, the Purdys value Woodlynde’s home-like atmosphere, fluid classroom approach, and the learning support provided to each student. Woodlynde students are being given the tools they need to achieve success in a rigorous academic environment.

“The classrooms here are responsive–meaning the kids learn to respond to their own learning needs and the needs of those around them,” says Scott. “A responsive setting leads students to realize when they are getting off task and what they have to do to get back on the path to completing the day’s goals.”

Alynn and Scott aren’t the only ones who are excited for the upcoming school year. Colin said, “I’m looking forward to coming to school each day with my dad!”

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Photographs by Sarah L. Bender