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HomeAsk the ExpertUnlocking Potential: Cambridge School’s Promise to Students Who Learn Differently

Unlocking Potential: Cambridge School’s Promise to Students Who Learn Differently

Learn how the Pennington-based specialty school offers students with language-based learning differences a place to be understood, supported, and inspired.

Since its inception 25 years ago, Cambridge School has remained committed to its mission of providing students with language-based learning differences a high-quality, individualized education that supports their unique learning styles and strengths. “Our school is a nurturing, close-knit community where students are not only supported academically but also encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and personally,” explains Meghan Peters, Assistant Head of School & Dean of Academics.

“In 2001 we were established on the belief that every child, regardless of how they learn, deserves the opportunity for an excellent education,” Peters adds.  For students who struggle in traditional school settings, particularly those who are struggling readers and those with language-based learning differences such as dyslexia, ADHD, or executive functioning challenges, Cambridge offers a fresh start. It’s a school where students are understood and supported so they can begin to thrive.

Learning That Fits The Student

One of the hallmarks of the Cambridge experience is its individualized and comprehensive approach to education. Each student’s academic day is carefully tailored to their needs. In small class settings, highly trained faculty provide a rigorous, evidence-based curriculum designed for students who learn differently. These educators are not only experts in their fields but also compassionate professionals who understand how to support diverse learners.

“Teachers get to know each student on a personal level,” explains Peters. “They create learning plans that align with their unique needs, strengths, and goals. This personalized approach helps students build confidence, develop critical thinking skills, and find joy in learning again.”

The school’s low student-to-teacher ratio allows for meaningful interaction between students and faculty. Teachers regularly monitor progress, adapt instruction, and provide feedback that supports growth across academic subjects. But Cambridge offers more than just academic support; it helps students rebuild a positive self-image and fosters a sense of belonging.

In addition to classroom learning, Cambridge offers a wide range of enriching experiences that bring the curriculum to life. Students participate in hands-on field trips, project-based learning, and real-world applications that deepen their understanding. Whether exploring a museum, visiting a local farm, or conducting a science experiment, these experiences help students make meaningful connections between what they learn in the classroom and the world around them.

Cambridge offers a full array of extracurricular opportunities, including athletic programs, musical productions, student clubs and community service projects. These activities not only provide students with a chance to pursue interests outside of the classroom but they also foster leadership, teamwork and form self-confident students who feel connected to their school community.

That sense of community is central to the Cambridge School experience. The school actively cultivates a warm, inclusive environment where students, teachers, and families feel supported and valued. Throughout the year, families are invited to participate in a variety of events, from ice cream socials and school-wide assemblies to holiday celebrations and parent education workshops. These events strengthen the bond between home and school and contribute to the tight-knit culture that makes Cambridge unique.

A Community That Transforms

“Our families often tell us how grateful they are, not just for the academic growth they see in their children, but for the emotional transformation as well,” Peters shares. “Parents often say that it feels like they got their child back.”

This emotional shift is significant. Many students who come to Cambridge have experienced frustration or failure in previous school environments. They may feel discouraged, anxious, or even disconnected from learning altogether. At Cambridge, these students are met with understanding, encouragement, and the tools they need to succeed. As they begin to experience academic success and feel supported by their teachers and peers, their confidence grows and so does their love of learning.

“As a school, we also emphasize the development of executive functioning and social-emotional skills, which are essential for lifelong success” adds Peters. Students learn strategies for organization, time management, goal-setting, and self-regulation; skills that are integrated into the daily routine and modeled by teachers. These foundational tools prepare students for success in high school and college.

Our College Counseling and Postsecondary program is unique to the Cambridge Upper School.  The process is fully integrated into the Upper School Curriculum.  In each of the student’s four years they participate in courses designed to help them identify their passions, strengths and interests.  “Our goal is to uncover what brings the student joy and to help them find opportunities to explore that emotion and identify a pathway to postsecondary success,” explains Peters.

We are proud of the extensive list of Colleges and Universities to which Cambridge graduates have been accepted.  That list can be accessed on our website.  Parents of Cambridge alumni often say that their child’s postsecondary option would not have been possible without their Cambridge education.

Over the past 25 years, Cambridge School has made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless students and families. As the school continues to grow and innovate, its mission remains the same: that  every child deserves the opportunity for an excellent education.

“We are incredibly proud of the progress our students make,” Peters says. “But more than that, we’re proud to be part of their journey. Watching them rediscover a love of learning and develop into confident, capable individuals is the most rewarding part of what we do.”

In a world where education often feels standardized and impersonal, Cambridge School stands as a source of hope and possibility for students who learn differently. Through a blend of compassion, expertise, and individualized support, the school continues to unlock the potential in every student, one success story at a time. Cambridge School is truly the door to a brighter future.


Meghan Peters is the Assistant Head of School & Dean of Academics at Cambridge School.
She earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College and her Master of Arts in Teaching & Special Education from North Carolina State University. Meghan is a Wilson® Dyslexia Practitioner with over 12 years of experience teaching students with language based learning differences.

 

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