The Windward School is committed to its mission of remediating children's language-based learning disabilities in preparation for their successful return to the mainstream. Through a thoughtful and comprehensive screening process, the Admissions Committee is able to offer a limited number of seats to applicants that would benefit from the program. Windward’s admissions process is intentionally thorough, because we understand that it is a very serious decision to take children out of the mainstream and enroll them in a school for learning disabilities.
For the application process, The Windward School uses Ravenna, an Admissions and Enrollment Management software. In Ravenna, you can create a profile for your student(s), complete your application, and submit required forms and fees.
The criteria for admissions are the following:
Geographically, Windward students come from the tri-state metropolitan area, including New York City, Long Island, Westchester and Rockland counties, New Jersey, and Connecticut.
The Windward School is not a state-funded school, so need-based tuition assistance is available for families.
The Windward School does not discriminate in admissions, employment, or administration of programs on the basis of any category protected by applicable law.
My daughter earned straight A's all year and received four academic awards. All this from a kid when she walked in your doors could not read or write. Our hearts are so full from the education she received. Thank you will never say how we truly feel. We cannot be more proud of her outstanding work and know for sure her years at Windward paid off.
- Westchester Middle School Alumni Parent
My child is a sophomore and just enrolled in all HONORS classes for next year. He never stops telling his mom about the gift of Windward and what the teachers did for him. He admires each and every one of you. He also acknowledges that Windward got him to where he is today and told me many times that this is not where he would be if not for Westchester Middle School!
- Westchester Middle School Alumni Parent
Our son recently graduated with honors from high school. He is on cloud 9, and it was a very emotional day for all of us given his journey and how hard he has worked along the way. Seeing him walk across that stage was a bit surreal. To say that Windward changed his trajectory and life is probably the understatement of the century (but we know you hear that a lot!). Thank you for all your support and council along the way, and please know that what you do every day makes such a huge difference for kids like our son.
- Westchester Middle School Alumni Parent
I am the grandfather of two boys who graduated from Windward. Windward gave them the tools and education for very successful lives. One grandson is an attorney for New York State Judiciary Commission. My other grandson went on to graduate high school with honors and was captain of his NY State Champion swimming teams. Now he is a sophomore in college majoring in science and technology with a 3.97 grade point average! Despite our fondest wishes, none of this would have been conceivable without their eight-year Windward experience. Our entire family is grateful to Windward for what they have done for our boys and so many other children.
- Grandfather of Westchester Middle School Alumni
Our daughter attended Windward and today is a practicing attorney. We credit her confidence, her resilience, and great success to Windward.
- Alumni Parents
Being at Windward for the past year has been a really transformative experience for our son. Thank you all for everything you do.
- Manhattan Lower School Parent
We feel truly blessed to have our child at Windward. It has already made such a difference in our lives. Our son went from occasionally being able to decipher a CVC word, to now actually reading his second language arts reader on his own every day. It is truly a miracle. In math, he could barely count-on, and now he is able to perform 3 digit subtraction with ease. He has gained confidence and made many friends.
- Manhattan Lower School Parent
When we see our daughter's confidence walking into school each morning, that's The Windward Effect. When we hear her happily tell us that she signed up to be a writer on the school magazine, that's The Windward Effect. And when she comes home from school, panicked about her first math test and assuredly decides to reach out to her math teacher and disclose her difficulty with word problems, only to find out that her math teacher also has dyslexia, that too is The Windward Effect. We are sure that there will be many challenges ahead, as there always are, but we are equally sure that our daughter can handle whatever comes her way because she was lucky enough to have been a student at The Windward School.
- Alumni Parents
When we first arrived at Windward almost five years ago, our daughter was a struggling student who doubted her ability to succeed in school and we were concerned parents, worried for our daughter's future. From the start, Windward tended to her needs both academically and emotionally. Every day, every teacher, every staff member, every touch point at Windward encouraged, challenged and empowered our daughter to do her best and be her best. At Windward, she learned that she could not only succeed at school, but excel as a student. In our daughter's own words, "Windward knows how to teach me and everyone there has my back." And it is only now that we are a Windward alumni family, that we can look back and truly see the gift The Windward School gave to us.
- Alumni Parents
"My first few weeks at Windward have been so fun. I LOVE THIS SCHOOL! I can't believe I finally go to a school that knows how to teach me."
- Westchester Middle School Student
I never truly appreciated my experiences as a Windward student until I became a Windward parent.
- Alumni and Manhattan Lower School Parent
I am so thankful for everything Windward has taught me. It is such a special place–from the teachers to the life lessons I learned along the way. I wouldn't be the person I am today without Windward and the tools I learned there.
- Alumni
Windward changed my daughter's life. It not only changed her life, it saved her life!! There are not enough words of thank you. A proud Windward mom.
- Alumni Parent
Within the first week my son was at Windward I could see that this was a very special program. His reading skills have progressed more than I could have imagined possible. I literally cried when he came home and read because I had no idea that it was possible for him to progress so much so quickly. When I read to him at night (which I have been doing for years) suddenly he has started to ask if he can help read and he seems to enjoy doing so. This means more to me than you can imagine.
- Manhattan Lower School Parent
We are so grateful that our son is a part of the Windward community. And what's more... he feels blessed to be a part of it too. He has never felt so successful or so understood—and we already feel the difference in his confidence and his emotional well being. Our son told me yesterday that he wishes that he was in Windward since the 2nd grade, when he began to visibly struggle in school.
Yesterday, he picked up a chapter book and started to read at bedtime—on his own. This has not happened in years.
- Manhattan Middle School Parent
We could not be prouder of the progress that our son has made so far, and we are so sure that these strides are due to his supportive, skilled, kind, compassionate, intelligent and highly specialized teachers. What struck us most was how coordinated each subject is with the other and that each teacher is working on the core skills of reading and writing—including science and math, which are not typically literacy related classes. Thank you for creating and sustaining an environment that allows our son and students like him not only to learn, but to thrive.
- Manhattan Middle School Parent
Windward has changed my life for the best. I am forever grateful for Windward and will take the tools I learned wherever life takes me. In addition, I'm so fortunate for the long-lasting bonds that Windward allowed me to create.
- Alumni
Thank you for everything that you have done for my son. We are indebted to all of his Grade 8 teachers. You are all amazing.
- Westchester Middle School Parent
Thank you to Windward for rising to the challenge of COVID-19 and succeeding!! I am appreciative of all the teachers' skills and compassion.
- Manhattan Middle School Parent
I am appreciative of the continued professionalism, compassion, and dedication at Windward. Students at the school are extremely fortunate. I only wish more were receiving the specialized, hands on, multisensory experience that Windward provides.
- Former Windward Faculty and Staff Member
Thanks for all you do. You made a great difference in the life of our granddaughter.
- Manhattan Lower School Grandparent
Our son is excited to go to school every morning. He could not have done this without the enormous supportive team at Windward! We are so grateful.
- Westchester Middle School Parent
Once our daughter began at Windward, her demeanor at home improved dramatically. It was the Windward magic! I am in awe and admiration for how you continue to inspire, challenge and motivate our daughter to work independently and self advocate. Although school isn’t the same this spring being online, our daughter's confidence continues to bloom before our eyes. It’s a beautiful thing for us to see her carry this confidence into everything she does here at home.
- Westchester Middle School Parent
We are blown away with the educational program that Windward has put together. It is full, enriching, structured and organized. I have been so impressed across all subject areas from his LA, math and social studies but also PE, art and science. My son has been engaged, leaning and happy! We feel very lucky to be apart of such an amazing school!
- Westchester Lower School Parent
One of the takeaways from Windward was witnessing the incredible work ethic of everyone there. It was the indefatigable energy of the adults at Windward that helped our children to reach their highest abilities. My family will forever be grateful. Thank you!
- Manhattan Middle School Alumni Parent
I am grateful for a lot of things in my life (especially now) but top of my list are my son's Windward teachers. I am in awe of their grace, resourcefulness, calm and pure engagement. They have created a safe and calm world for my little third grader. He is getting through this odd time in large part to his wonderful teachers providing as “normal” of a learning experience as they can at this time. I simply cannot imagine any other third grade student getting the kind of experience my son is receiving.
- Westchester Lower School Parent
This is our son's first year at Windward. I respond to anyone inquiring about Windward with "It's a magic school!"
- Westchester Lower School Parent
My husband and I are so grateful for all you are doing for our daughter. The moment I realized she had picked up a book and started reading a bedtime story to her younger sister was very moving for me. What a difference Windward has made in our lives.
- Manhattan Lower School Parent
I feel very lucky to know my daughter is part of this incredible school. Beside the impressive academic side to it, Windward teaches human values that I know my daughter will carry with her as an adult. Please know I am deeply thankful for everything Windward has done for my family.
- Manhattan Middle School Parent
This is a HUGE milestone for us as a family, especially for our son...he is reading a book...on his own. My husband and I looked at each other in shock, excitement, and relief that we made the right decision (though a tough one) to move him to his current school. Thank you The Windward School for your passion and dedication to the wonderful world of dyslexia. We are grateful beyond words.
- Westchester Lower School Parent
We need Windward all over the country, because there is no school like it.
- Dr. Sally Shaywitz, Audrey G. Ratner Professor in Learning Development at Yale University and Co-Founder and Co-Director of the Yale Center for Dyslexia & Creativity
My Windward graduate is using the skills he gained during his time with you to much success right now. Though the student may leave Windward, Windward never leaves the student!
- Westchester Middle School Alumni Parent
Windward is dedicated to the transmission of knowledge and teaching. What I saw was so indicative of what I believe is necessary for children to learn.
- Maryanne Wolf, PhD
UCLA Distinguished Visiting Professor of Education and Director of the UCLA Center for Dyslexia, Diverse Learners, and Social Justice and the Chapman University Presidential Fellow
Submit Required Forms & Fee in Ravenna
Admissions Committee Will Review Submitted File
Invitation to Visit School
Admissions Committee Review
Findings and recommendations are discussed at a parent/guardian conference.