The Christ School Receives Prestigious Accreditation to Serve Dyslexic Learners

The Bridge at The Christ School (TCS) is the first instructional program in the state of Florida to become accredited through the Orton-Gillingham Academy (OGA).

In 2018, TCS responded to the need for specialized reading instruction for students with dyslexia by providing reading remediation through the Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach. In 2020, TCS expanded its services and opened The Bridge, an all-day program with smaller class sizes and specialized instruction designed for dyslexic learners. The Bridge at TCS currently serves over 70 students from across central Florida. For the 2023-2024 school year, The Bridge at TCS will expand to serve over 100 dyslexic students in 1st-6th grades.

The OG approach is a direct, explicit, multisensory, structured, sequential, diagnostic and prescriptive way to teach reading, writing and spelling. It is rooted in research and considered the gold standard of literacy instruction. The OGA Accreditation process involves evaluation and observation of the program’s mission, curriculum, instructional staff and resources to ensure it meets the high standards set forth by OGA. The Bridge at TCS is the first instructional program in Florida and one of only 20 in the nation to receive this distinction.

Alissa Plaisance, Director of The Bridge at TCS, says, “Accreditation from the Orton-Gillingham Academy is an incredible achievement for our school and a highlight of my career. We have sought to create a model where the OG approach is implemented with strong fidelity and a high bar for excellence. Our students deserve it. They are bright minds that flourish when taught in a way that makes sense to them.”

The Bridge at The Christ School has been more than we could ever have hoped for in a school for our dyslexic child. The education, guidance and support my son has received has transformed him into a self assured, caring young man who can advocate for himself with confidence. We feel blessed that our children are part of The Christ School tradition and can wholeheartedly recommend the Bridge to families navigating the complexities of dyslexia.

– Heather Webb, TCS Parent

For more information on The Bridge at The Christ School, visit https://thechristschool.org/academics/the-bridge/, or phone 407-849-1665.