We hope you and your families are safe and healthy.

Bilgrav School is open, full-time. Our small class sizes and overall school population enable us to take keep your family’s safety forefront and still provide the live, rigorous, hands-on education your dyslexic child needs. Please, see our detailed COVID policy for more information.
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Our socially-distanced, 1st-day-of-school photo! Go Leatherbacks!!!
307 Evernia St, 2nd Floor, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 ~ 864-320-2670
​kcashette@bilgravschool.org or hpatterson@bilgravschool.org

Pictures are from last school year and the beginning of the school year. Pictures with students and teachers without facemasks are from last year.

Bilgrav School on WPTV!

MISSION STATEMENT

Our mission is to provide the opportunity for dyslexic students in the 1st-8th grades to reach their potential. We offer a rigorous, interdisciplinary, project-based curriculum ​designed for bright, multi-sensory learners that engages and focuses on cognitive strengths,​ effectively remediates literacy skills, and builds lasting confidence.
​Our highly-trained staff creates an environment--
where children thrive, not simply survive.

DAILY CLASSES

•. 1:1 Orton-Gillingham Tutoring
​•. Literature & Writing for Dyslexic Learners
• Inter-disciplinary Math, Science, History, & Literature with Arts Integration
​~
•. Energy-Absorbing & Mind-Centering Exercise Breaks throughout the day
•. Optional After-School Sports & Enrichment
•. Fine & Performing Arts

Dyslexia is a learning style, not a disability.

Our students graduate as confident self-advocates, ready to succeed
​in whatever school they choose.

At The Bilgrav School, we recognize students
for their intelligence and strengths
​while remediating language deficits.

  • In subject matter courses, students are taught to their strong conceptual capacities.
  • Literacy skills are effectively remediated in daily, 1:1 OG tutoring sessions and woven into classes at each student’s appropriate challenge level.
  • In short, our classes separate content from language mechanics. The content is taught at grade-level through multi-sensory projects, video, field trips, games, experiments, etc.
  • ​ Homework and in-class reading and writing requirements are individualized to the student based on teachers’ regular communication with the 1:1 tutors.

The Problem for Dyslexic Children in Traditional Classrooms

Dyslexic minds have incredible strengths, such as three-dimensional problem-solving, big picture thinking, and innovative pattern recognition. These traits are tremendous cognitive assets. They are the kind of thinking skills that enabled Walt Disney to add a whole new dimension to the movie making industry, that led Ted Turner to create a 24-hour news channel and revolutionize the way we consume news, that allowed Steve Jobs to transform our digital lives, and that gave Einstein the power to behold that E = mc^2. All these men are dyslexic— and gifted. Their brilliance was masked in their school years by a difficulty learning to read.

​Their brains, that naturally see things in three dimensions, automatically picked up two dimensional letters and started spinning them around in their mind’s eye. Though an asset in most cases, this cognitive trait, when learning to read, is quite the opposite. Letters and words need to stay two dimensional and in the order they are given on the page. A dyslexic mind picks up letters and words and starts spinning them around. So, b becomes d becomes p becomes q, and the letters in the words get all out of order.
Unfortunately for dyslexics, non-dyslexic brains (about 85%of the population) tend to evolve the higher-order thinking skills, that dyslexics naturally have, later in their development. The mechanics of reading and spelling are a much simpler skill for them. So, it makes sense to teach the mechanics of language in the lower grade levels and then use it as a medium to convey more and more sophisticated levels of information as students mature.
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Richard Branson, owner of Virgin Airlines, Virgin Galactic, & South Florida’s own Brightline train, is dyslexic as well.
For the dyslexic student, this order is a disaster. It means that at the earliest grade levels, the dyslexic child’s strengths are ignored and their difficulties highlighted, all day long in front of their peers. Often, their cognitive assets are never recognized because by the time those incredible thinking skills are required by the curriculum, years later, dyslexic students have already experienced enough failure and missed out on so much information that they may not have gotten in to the advanced level classes, for which those strengths are necessary.
At The Bilgrav School, we teach how dyslexic minds actually develop. Our curriculum features their cognitive strengths every day, all day, and includes the daily, structured, phonetic, multi-sensory, Orton-Gillingham tutoring that enables a dyslexic student to acquire robust literacy skills. Subjects are taught in an interdisciplinary, project-based way that enables students to absorb grade-level concepts (and beyond) without being bogged down by the language mechanics that hold them back in traditional classrooms. Our students become confident learners, knowledgeable of their strengths and sure that they can overcome even the deepest of academic challenges, just like these successful dyslexics:

ADMISSIONS

Rigorous, Inter-Disciplinary, Individualized
​

​THE BILGRAV SCHOOL
Step 1. Fill out the Inquiry Form to get the process started.
Inquiry Form
Step 2. We’ll call you! Let’s discuss, and see if we are a potential fit.
Step 3. Interview and School Visit
Bilgrav School Application
Step 4. Fill out the formal Bilgrav School Application with application fee ($150).

​Step 5. Decision
TUITION & SCHOLARSHIPS

Tuition for The Bilgrav School's 2019-2020 School year is $30,000. Families can pay quarterly, in halves, or in full. We understand that an independent school choice can present a financial hardship and sacrifices to families and extended families. However, we are committed to helping families afford a Bilgrav School education. Options to help soften the cost of tuition are featured below.

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The Florida State McKay Scholarship
​We accept the McKay scholarship from the State of Florida.

If your child does not have the McKay Scholarship, please go to the Florida Department of Education website to read about eligibility and the application process. We will help you through it.
FL DOE McKay Scholarship

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Education Loans
The education loans for private elementary and secondary schools (K-12) include:

Sallie Mae K-12 Family Education Loan
Sallie Mae offers the K-12 Family Education Loan to help parents pay for all or part of the cost of sending their children to private primary, middle and secondary schools, including prep schools, parochial schools, Montessori schools and boarding schools. Families can borrow from $1,000 up to the total cost of education. The loan is available to parents or other credit-worthy family members. Borrowers can choose to repay the loan over 1 to 3 years and there are no prepayment penalties. There is no application fee. Interest rates range from 1-Month LIBOR + 7.00% to 1-Month LIBOR + 11.50%. Disbursement fees range from 0% to 3%. The online application can be completed in about 20 minutes, with quick credit decisions. Sallie Mae also offers the Tutorial Financing Loan to help pay for the cost of tutoring to improve grades and performance on standardized tests. You can contact them by visiting their Website at www.salliemae.com/student-loans/private-school-loan.
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Act Education Loan for K-12 Students
The Student Loan Network offers the Act Education Loan for K-12 Students for private K-12 education. The loan limits are $30,000 per year with a $130,000 aggregate loan limit. The interest rate is LIBOR + 4.95% with 6.0% fees. There is a 0.25% interest rate reduction for auto-debit and a 0.25% interest rate reduction for making the first 36 consecutive payments on-time. The repayment term is up to 20 years. For more information, go to www.yourtuitionsolution.com/family.
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prepGATE Tuition Management Systems (TMS)
This is a subsidiary of the First Marblehead Corporation, offers the prepGATE Loan Program for financing private K-12 education. Loan amounts range from a minimum of $2,000 to a maximum of $30,000 per year (capped at the total cost of attendance minus other aid) with a $150,000 aggregate limit. The interest rates are variable, ranging from LIBOR + 5.99% to LIBOR + 10.4%. Origination fees range from 0.0% to 2.5%, depending on the repayment term. 5-year and 10-year repayment terms are available. There is a $50 minimum monthly payment. There is a 0.25% interest rate reduction for borrowers who repay their loans through auto-debit. For more information, call 1-866-362-4283.
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Your Tuition Solution
Your Tuition Solution offers fixed-rate tuition financing plans to cover the cost of tuition and related expenses at more than 2,400 private K-12 schools in the United States. The loan amounts are $2,000 to $40,000. The interest rates are fixed, ranging from 3.99% to 17.99% APR, and depend on the loan term, tuition amount and the borrower's credit score. There are no origination or application fees and there is no prepayment penalty. Payments can be spread over 12 to 84 months. Your Tuition Solution is a program of Springstone Financial LLC. For more information, contact Your Tuition Solution via the following methods: Phone: 1-800-920-9777. Email: info@yourtuitionsolution.com. Website: www.yourtuitionsolution.com.
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Student Loans​
Student loans are a possibility at some banks and credit unions, so check with your bank or credit union to determine if they offer student loans.

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Tax Credits

IRS Publication 502

For families of a dyslexic child, there are several ways get tax relief on your Bilgrav School tuition. Take a look at the options featured below:

Medical Deductions:​
Good news! The Bilgrav School tuition may be tax-deductible for your family as a medical expense! The IRS has defined dyslexia as a medical condition that impairs a child’s ability to learn. You will need to obtain a doctor's letter which states that your child has dyslexia and also features a recommendation that The Bilgrav School is an effective solution to remediate your child's condition.

Please refer to the following excerpt featured below from the IRS publication 502. Then, select the button above to download the IRS Publication 502 document on Medical And Dental Expenses and confer with your tax professional about your eligibility for this deduction.

IRS publication 502, under the heading of Special Education, states:
You can include in medical expenses the cost (tuition, meals, and lodging) of attending a school that furnishes special education to help a child to overcome learning disabilities. A doctor must recommend that the child attend the school. Overcoming the learning disabilities must be a principal reason for attending the school, and any other ordinary education received must be incidental to the special education provided.
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Under the heading of Transportation, the publication states:
You can include in medical expenses amounts paid for the transportation for, and essential to, medical care. You can include out-of-pocket expenses, such as the cost of gas and oil, when you use a car for medical reasons. You can't include depreciation, insurance, general repair, or maintenance expenses. If you do not want to use your actual expenses, you can use the standard mileage rate. You can also include parking fees and tolls. You can add these fees and tolls to your medical expenses whether you use actual expenses or use the standard mileage rate.
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Additional Tax Relief
The following may be options that can help pay tuition. Please refer to your tax professional for more information.

​FSA - Flexible Spending Accounts
This type of account enables you to pay medical and/or other qualifying expenses (such as speech-language therapy) with pre-tax dollars. You elect to contribute a portion of your pay to the FSA. The money going into it avoids income tax, and thus actually lowers the cost of these services to you. This benefit may be available through your employer. This method is recommended for paying for private speech-language services, when insurance does not cover these services. If no FSA plan is available, perhaps your employer would consider setting one up. It seems likely that as insurance benefits are cut back, this particular benefit (FSAs) is going to be more valuable than ever before.
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HSA - Health Savings Account
​The Health Savings Account is similar to the Flexible Spending Account in that it is tax deferred (pre-tax) dollars you elect to save for the purpose of qualifying healthcare expenses.
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Coverdell Education Savings Accounts
Contributions to Coverdell education savings accounts (ESAs) grow and compound tax-free until withdrawn. Withdrawals are also tax-free if used to pay for qualified education expenses of the ESA beneficiary. Qualified expenses include tuition, fees, academic tutoring, special needs services in the case of a "special needs beneficiary," books, supplies, and other equipment which are incurred in connection with the enrollment or attendance of the beneficiary as an elementary or secondary school student at a public, private, or religious school [IRC Sec. 530(b)(3)(A)]. So clients with special needs children can use ESAs as a tax-sheltered vehicle to save for their children's special education expenses.
The Bilgrav School, Inc. admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at The Bilgrav School, Inc. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.
The Bilgrav School, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.


HARASSMENT, INCLUDING SEXUAL HARASSMENT

1. Prevention
The Bilgrav School Inc is committed to using its educational, counseling, and in-service training programs to reinforce the expectation of an environment free of harassment of any kind. Sexual harassment or harassment based on race, color, religion, or national origins are prohibited by law and contradictory to the school’s mission. The Bilgrav School, Inc. will not tolerate conduct that it considers to be harassment, coercion, or that is unreasonably disruptive to another person’s life. Examples of such types of behaviors include the following: physical or mental abuse; ethnic, racial, religious or sexual slurs or graffiti; requests for sexual favors; unwelcome sexual comments or advances; and/or taunting/teasing.

2. Reporting
Reporting Misconduct by Instructional Personnel and Administrators All employees and administrators have an obligation to report misconduct by instructional personnel and school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student. Examples of misconduct include obscene language, drug and alcohol use, disparaging comments, prejudice or bigotry, sexual innuendo, cheating or testing violations, physical aggression, and accepting or offering favors. Reports of misconduct of employees should be made to Hunter Patterson. Reports of misconduct committed by administrators should be made to Chair of the Board Veronica Bauer.

Legally sufficient allegations of misconduct by Florida certified educators will be reported to the Office of Professional Practices Services. Policies and procedures for reporting misconduct by instructional personnel or school administrators which affects the health, safety, or welfare of a student are posted in the school to the immediate right of the elevator doors on the second floor.

3. Intervention
Should an instance of harassment occur, The Bilgrav School, Inc. is committed to acting to prevent future recurrences. Any school employee found to have engaged in harassment is subject to interventions to be determined by the Director of Operations, Hunter Patterson, which may include but are not necessarily limited to, restrictions and compulsory counseling. Such employees are also subject to sanctions up to and including immediate termination of employment. Employees who continue to practice harassment despite interventions will be dismissed.

Any student who engages in sexual harassment is subject to disciplinary consequences up to and including immediate expulsion. Students who continue to practice harassment despite disciplinary measures and/or counseling will be suspended, expelled, or refused re-enrollment for the following year.

4. Investigation
Any allegation that a Bilgrav School faculty member or student has harassed another Bilgrav employee or student will be investigated by Director of Operations, Hunter Patterson, and such other staff members as he or she shall designate to assist. The Director of Operations, Hunter Patterson, shall be responsible for rendering a final decision and communicating with the Board Chairperson as to the findings of the investigation and for determining what action, if any, shall be taken. Upon completion of the investigation, a written report detailing the findings of the investigation and outlining actions to be taken shall be placed in a permanent confidential file for review by the Head of School and the Board Chairperson and suc
Standards of Ethical Conduct
The Bilgrav School ​


1. Our school values the worth and dignity of every person, the pursuit of truth, devotion to excellence, acquisition of knowledge, and the nurture of democratic citizenship. Essential to the achievement of these standards are the freedom to learn and to teach and the guarantee of equal opportunity for all.
2. Our primary concern is the student and the development of the student's potential. Employees will therefore strive for professional growth and will seek to exercise the best professional judgment and integrity.
3. Concern for the student requires that our instructional personnel:
a. Shall make reasonable effort to protect the student from conditions harmful to learning and/or to the student's mental and/or physical health and/or safety.
b. Shall not unreasonably restrain a student from independent action in pursuit of learning.
c. Shall not unreasonably deny a student access to diverse points of view.
d. Shall not intentionally suppress or distort subject matter relevant to a student's academic program.
e. Shall not intentionally expose a student to unnecessary embarrassment or disparagement.
f. Shall not intentionally violate or deny a student's legal rights.
g. Shall not harass or discriminate against any student on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition, sexual orientation, or social and family background and shall make reasonable effort to assure that each student is protected from harassment or discrimination.
h. Shall not exploit a relationship with a student for personal gain or advantage.
i. Shall keep in confidence personally identifiable information obtained in the course of professional service, unless disclosure serves professional purposes or is required by law.
4. Aware of the importance of maintaining the respect and confidence of colleagues, of students, of parents, and of the community, employees of our school must display the highest degree of ethical conduct. This commitment requires that our employees:
a. Shall maintain honesty in all professional dealings.
b. Shall not on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, political beliefs, marital status, handicapping condition if otherwise qualified, or social and family background deny to a colleague professional benefits or advantages or participation in any professional organization.
c. Shall not interfere with a colleague's exercise of political or civil rights and responsibilities. d. Shall not engage in harassment or discriminatory conduct which unreasonably interferes with an individual's performance of professional or work responsibilities or with the orderly processes of education or which creates a hostile, intimidating, abusive, offensive, or oppressive environment; and, further, shall make reasonable effort to assure that each individual is protected from such harassment or discrimination.
e. Shall not make malicious or intentionally false statements about a colleague.


This information is posted at the school to the immediate right of the elevator doors on the second floor.