A paradigm shift in how we understand, and empower, kids

Highly-individualized programs are at the center of how we challenge, support and empower kids. Where other programs accommodate difficulties like ADHD, dyslexia and more, we have made a paradigm shift in how we understand, and treat, those needs. For the student, these components—and our community—come together through standards-based project-based learning, giving our students the opportunity to master and apply these skills in the settings where they need them most.

Over the five years that we have developed these protocols, the results for our students have been nothing short of transformative, across a wide array of profiles. A middle schooler who jumped from a 1st to an 8th grade level in both reading and writing in a single year, because we identified and addressed the dyspraxia that was driving it. An early elementary student with dyslexia who jumped from below to above reading level in a single year because we built up the splinter skills that made it difficult for them to remember what words look like (orthographic processing) — a key component of reading. A high schooler who overcame the physical, emotional and cognitive impacts of a spinal cord defect and graduated from Cajal ready to study architecture at RISD: the top art school in the country. Apply today to find out how we can help empower your child to optimize their learning, social and emotional experiences!

We create highly-individualized programs for each student and then bring even our most unique kids together through stimulating, project-based learning

With the exception of the kids in our Core Program Level, each student receives a highly-individualized program that is tailored to the data in their neuropsychological and neurophysiological profiles. These programs are designed as we get to know your child throughout the admissions process, and contains a mix of elements from the list below that will best move your child forward, applying our ground-breaking approach. Scroll down to see sample programs for some of the common profiles within our cohort.

Tuition levels are set based on the specific needs to be addressed, and the level of interdisciplinary collaboration required to do so. You can learn about our tuition ranges here, however we are unable to provide tuition levels until we have made our full analysis to identify the specific skill deficits driving the child’s presentation, over the full course of the admissions process.

Across the country, very few schools integrate academic programming appropriate to kids with very high cognitive profiles with specialized instruction, diagnostic and therapeutic services and expertise. Our program was designed by a social entrepreneur who is a generalist problem solver and “mom” to two kids in this unique cohort, together with an expert, multi-disciplinary team of experienced educators, licensed therapists and a recognized neuropsychologist. Together, they have developed an innovative program that leverages new neuroscientific research and understandings to identify and address the challenges holding kids back—not just accommodate them.

As the number of families we serve grows, we are making connections that don’t appear in the literature—and that have led to specialized programs for kids having certain archetypal profiles. We will always include students in our cohort whose profiles are unique enough to require their own mix, but the links below will give you an idea of the mix of strategies we integrate into each child’s program to effectuate transformational growth.

Each of these programs contains a mix of traditional and Cajal-exclusive approaches to remediating learning disabilities, differentiating instruction in the classroom, social-emotional support and more, drawn from the elements that are described further below.

Here are some of the specialized programs we have developed thus far:

Cajal Academy is an avowedly inclusive community, and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, gender identity, physical disability or any other protected class.

No child should have to choose between academic challenge and the support they need to thrive.

All Cajal Academy programs integrate both stimulating academic programs and highly-personalized individual growth plans that leverage neuroplasticity to build up the skills they need to overcome any weaknesses in their otherwise strong neuropsychological and neurophysio profiles. Find out more about these core elements of our program below.

was founded on the premise that children can only fulfill their full human potential when they are given the opportunity to discover and experience their own gifts—and that this shouldn’t come at the cost of the expertise and support they need to overcome obstacles and have agency over their own life-lived experiences. Achieving this balance is especially important (and challenging!) for children having complex learning, social, sensory and/or neurological profiles. Our program is specifically-designed to meet these students’ needs, while leveraging modern neuroscientific research to address—not just accommodate—their differences, enabling them to thrive independently in the academic, social and professional settings of their own choosing.