At Stillman Academy, our tutoring program is grounded in the Slingerland Approach, a professional, research-based method of instruction. Rooted in Orton-Gillingham principles, this multisensory approach engages students visually, auditorily, and kinesthetically, ensuring that learning is both accessible and lasting. While originally developed to provide effective instruction for students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, it has proven effective with nearly all students reading or writing below grade level.
The Slingerland Approach emphasizes:
Systematic instruction that introduces concepts in a clear, sequential order.
Multisensory learning that combines seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing.
Integrated language skills, weaving together reading, spelling, handwriting, and composition.
Ongoing assessment and adjustment, so instruction is tailored to individual progress.
Professional rigor, with tutors trained through a supervised practicum and coursework to ensure fidelity to the method.
This method has earned the trust of respected schools such as Hamlin Robinson and North Bridge Academy, where it serves as the cornerstone of their literacy instruction. At Stillman Academy, our Director and CEO, William Patterson, is a Certified Instructor of Teachers with the Slingerland Institute, ensuring the highest standards of training and oversight. Our tutors, Brittany and Jacquelyn, are actively on the path to certification, combining their practicum work with formal coursework. Families can be confident that each tutoring session reflects both professional preparation and personal care, preparing students not just to succeed in school, but to thrive as lifelong learners.
To get started or learn more send an email to wp@stillmanacademy.org
Tutoring Services
Group Tutoring
At Stillman Academy, we recognize that students with similar learning needs can benefit from learning together. Group tutoring is recommended for students who have completed at least six months of individualized Slingerland instruction, ensuring a strong foundation before joining peers. We carefully place students in groups with aligned learning profiles so that instruction stays targeted and effective. Group sessions also provide a socially positive experience, offering encouragement and camaraderie, while making tutoring more affordable for families.
Group tutoring at Stillman Academy emphasizes:
Small groups (2–4 students) for balanced attention and interaction.
Thoughtful placement based on academic and social needs.
Active engagement with frequent turns to keep lessons lively.
Ongoing progress checks with updates for parents.
Confidence building through shared challenges and successes.
The Slingerland Approach is the only Orton-Gillingham–based method adapted for whole-class instruction, making it especially effective in groups. Its structured, multisensory design keeps students engaged with frequent participation and steady pacing. For families seeking a next step after one-on-one tutoring, group sessions provide an excellent bridge—reinforcing skills in a collaborative, supportive setting.
Saturday Field Trips
New program launching fall 2025
Saturday field trips include:
A morning lesson
A field trip in the Bay Area
Contact wp@stillmanacademy.org for details.
Student Assessments
When a child struggles with reading, spelling, or handwriting, the most helpful next step is a focused educational assessment. At Stillman Academy, our assessments identify strengths and pinpoint specific skills that need support, so instruction begins at the right level and makes measurable progress. Sessions last 45–90 minutes, followed by a written report and a review meeting with families. Parents leave with a clear, actionable picture of what their child is doing well and where support is most needed.
Our assessments examine key literacy areas, including:
Reading – letter-sound knowledge, decoding, fluency, comprehension, and reasoning with text.
Writing & Spelling – spelling patterns, sentence writing, and written expression.
Handwriting – letter formation, spacing, legibility, and writing fluency.
All results are explained in plain language and linked directly to Structured Literacy instruction with the Slingerland Method—the same approach developed by Beth Slingerland, Anna Gillingham and Bessie Stillman and proven effective for students with dyslexia. While not a medical diagnosis, our assessments provide documentation for school conversations and accommodations, and most importantly, a roadmap for growth. Families leave with clarity, confidence, and a concrete plan for their child’s literacy development.
Parent Advocacy Classes
What We Teach parents:
How to support a child through direct instruction and social-emotional strategies
Legal rights in relation to dyslexia and education
Tax benefits available with a dyslexia diagnosis
If you’d like to learn more about Parent Advocacy Classes please send an email to wp@stillmanacademy.org
Professional Referrals
We refer families to:
Neuropsychologists
Speech and language pathologists
Executive function coaches
Occupational Therapists
Lawyers and advocates with expertise in educational rights
If you’d like a referral please send an email to wp@stillmanacademy.org
Our then third grader was really struggling with reading and a late dyslexia/dysgraphia diagnosis. Our son has made massive progress and is now reading at grade level and has had a massive increase in confidence when presented with the written word. - JC