Wisconsin Institute for Learning (WIL)
WILDD is proud to announce the opening of a private, non-profit, non-traditional high school – Wisconsin Institute for Learning, or WIL. WIL is the first non-traditional high school in Wisconsin specifically designed for students with learning disabilities/dyslexia. WIL is now accepting students entering the 9th grade in fall, 2011 with learning disabilities/dyslexia, or who face other similar academic challenges that leave them with achievement gaps in reading, writing, spelling, or math.
“We offer our students a highly personalized, face-to-face educational program while still adhering to the state standards for college-bound students,” says Ervin Carpenter, WILDD co-founder and Executive Director, adding, “We are committed to equity in educational achievement by eliminating gaps between the unique academic needs of our students and their peers.”
Our Program
- WIL offers a full high school academic curriculum that adheres to Wisconsin state standards and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction curriculum guidelines
- WIL provides small class sizes (approximately 10 students per class), and includes one-on-one supplemental instruction to foster each student’s skill development in order to build on his or her unique strengths and to remediate academic deficits.
- WIL’s program is designed to serve students who will benefit from small class sizes, creative teaching strategies, and structure. WIL’s program ensures a well-rounded academic experience, offered in a structured environment responsive to our students’ unique learning styles.
- WIL is not a virtual school. We offer face-to-face instruction and provide an individualized and supportive high school education in a comfortable, low-stress, yet challenging academic environment.
- WIL enables youth to be more successful and confident in school, and life, so that they might enter into and succeed within post-secondary institutions, vocational education programs, and/or the workforce.
Our Students*
A “typical” WIL student is one in whom a language-based learning disability is prevalent. Parents typically feel that their child’s educational program has inadequately met their unique needs, and they are frustrated with the traditional academic environment. For these students and families, WIL offers hope. We believe that every child has the potential to excel in school and in life. We assume, and support, the success of every student and we have built the ideal educational environment to help young adults achieve success.
*Instructional services are offered to individuals without regard to culture and race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation or religious affiliation.
Our Curriculum
WIL offers a challenging high school curriculum that adheres to Wisconsin state standards and Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction curriculum guidelines. Additionally, WIL was designed specifically to meet the unique academic needs of high-potential young adults with learning disabilities/dyslexia, or those who have not performed to their ability within a traditional classroom setting.
In addition to small class sizes (approximately 10 students per class), each WIL student also receives regular one-on-one instruction to address their unique academic challenges. WIL’s structured, yet individualized academic program allows each student to understand, develop, and apply their unique intelligence and skills to our rigorous college-preparatory curriculum.
Our Instructors
A well-trained faculty is key to the success of WIL. All WIL faculty hold four-year college degrees, are certified Orton-Gillingham instructors, and have individual expertise within their specific content areas. WIL instructors, well-schooled in theories of learning styles and learning differences, understand the importance of knowing each student as an individual. Our instructors find ways to affirm students’ unique abilities in the classroom while also challenging each student in areas of learning that present more difficulty.
Statement from the Founders
“We believe that every student who attends WIL will graduate and go on to compete with their peers in attending higher educational institutions, technical schools, or a job of their choosing without the fear of not being able to succeed. We wish every one of our students the richest, fullest lives they deserve.”