Dyslexia
Benton Hall Academy
Dyslexia-Friendly Private School in Nashville
When a student struggles with reading, writing, or spelling, the impact shows up everywhere - not just in language arts. Dyslexia can affect confidence, participation, and willingness to take academic risks.
Benton Hall Academy supports many students with dyslexia and related learning differences. Our focus is on reducing barriers in the classroom so students can access learning, demonstrate understanding, and rebuild confidence.
Signs Families Often Notice
Reading is slow, effortful, or exhausting
Avoidance of reading aloud or written work
Difficulty with spelling, note-taking, or copying from the board
Strong verbal understanding with weaker written output
Dyslexia can look different from student to student, but families often report the above. If you are seeing these signs, a tour and conversation can help you explore next steps.
What Dyslexia Support Can Look Like in School
Dyslexia-friendly support often includes accommodations that reduce the load of decoding and writing mechanics so students can focus on understanding and expressing ideas.
Support may include:
- Extended time on reading-heavy tests and assignments
- Reduced copying demands and clearer note support
- Alternative ways to demonstrate mastery (oral responses, projects, structured outlines)
- Access to audio versions of reading when appropriate
- Adjusted workload when appropriate, while keeping learning goals in focus
Support varies by student. During admissions, we review records and meet with families to confirm fit and plan supports.
Writing and Grading Fairness
Students with dyslexia often know the content but struggle to get it onto paper quickly and accurately. A supportive environment focuses on mastery and growth, not penalizing students for the mechanics that dyslexia makes harder.
Helpful practices may include:
- Clear rubrics that separate content from mechanics when appropriate
- Structured writing supports (outlines, sentence starters, graphic organizers)
- Opportunities to revise and improve work with feedback
Coordinating with Outside Recommendations
Some families use outside tutoring or therapy services. If your child has recommendations from a provider, we encourage you to share them. This helps align school expectations with the supports your child benefits from.
Next Steps: Tour Request + Records Review
A tour helps you see the environment and ask questions. After the tour, we can guide you on the next best steps and which records would be most helpful to review.