Your Impact
Your gift is the gift of reading for students with dyslexia.
You see the value in investing in the Bodine School program that transforms students’ lives, and your donation helps secure it. Simply put, you can feel proud knowing your generosity enables us to better respond to our students’ needs.
Student Success Spotlights
Tears to Cheers:
As a new 2nd grader, this student came to school with tears pouring down her face almost every day. Sometimes she cried so much that she had to change her shirt because it was soaked by her tears. Her mom let us know that she was throwing up in the mornings before school because she was so frightened by the anticipation of the reading tasks the school day would bring. Over her three years at Bodine, we have watched her become a smiling, confident student who faces every challenge without tears and openly volunteers to share her story of the struggles that led her to Bodine. She is now a 5th grader who confidently reads at grade level. She is rated highly by her teachers for study skills and self-advocacy, and we are so proud of her transformation.
Avoidant to Confident
Upon entering Bodine School in 3rd grade, this student’s reading was below the 1st grade level. He was severely below average in sight word efficiency and phonemic decoding and due to his insecurities, he frequently displayed negative behaviors, refused to work, and hid from difficult situations. Over the years, we have watched this student gain academic skills along with his confidence. Currently in 5th grade, he is reading at the 6th grade level with speed, comprehension, and decoding all measuring in the average range. He is confident and relaxed, gets his work done, and can be counted on to help peers and adults when needed. We are so happy for him and his family as we know that he can move forward tackling each new challenge as he goes.
Your Donations at Work
Here are just a few examples of how your gifts have recently improved Bodine School for students, faculty, staff, and the Mid-South community:
- Tuition Assistance for the 40% of families who rely on financial aid to access our transformative programming
- Monthly free literacy screenings through The Erika Center
- Innovative assistive technology advancements including C-Pen readers, laptop replacements, noise-cancelling headphones, etc.
- 5-year replenishment of necessary resources for literacy, socio-emotional learning, and dyslexia outreach
- New wireless access points throughout the building
- Full roof and gutter replacement
- New HVAC throughout the building
Most Immediate Needs
Your unrestricted Annual Fund gifts allow us the meet the changing needs of Bodine School and our students. From our library to our soccer field, the hallmarks of your gifts are the smiling and triumphant faces of our students when they unlock the code of language.
Tuition Assistance
Contributions allow us to offer financial assistance to students whose families demonstrate a need and would otherwise be unable to attend Bodine School, including emergency financial aid for families experiencing significant life changes. At least 40% of Bodine families receive tuition assistance each year.
Professional Development
Gifts to the Professional Growth Fund support ongoing training in Orton-Gillingham instruction, guest seminars, continuing education, leadership development, and specialized curriculum exploration. Extensive teacher training is essential to the success of our students. Faculty pursue varying levels of certification through the Orton-Gillingham Academy yearly.
Technology
Support for technology and our Innovation Lab funds STEAM education unparalleled by surrounding independent schools. Students learn skills from digital citizenship and typing to robotics and publication design.
