In 2020, Melbourne, Kentucky, and Campbell County resident Lauren Glenn enrolled her son, Nick, in Springer School and Center’s middle school program after witnessing him struggle with virtual school during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Around COVID, when everything went virtual, we knew…he had some issues with dyslexia (difficulty with reading), dysgraphia (difficulty with writing), and dyscalculia (difficulty with numbers),” she said. “He was getting services through Campbell County, but then when school went virtual, it was not the right setup for him. He really, really struggled.”
Springer School and Center, first established in 1971, has become one of the foremost academic institutions in the tri-state region. Springer is Cincinnati’s only school designed for students with ADHD, dyslexia and executive function challenges. Springer’s Lower School and Middle School serves students in grades 1 through 8. Currently admitting grades nine and ten, the new Springer High School is the region’s first dedicated entirely to providing this focus at the high school level.
Lauren’s three daughters attend Campbell County schools but, in the fall of 2020, when Nick was in the fifth grade, the Glenns toured Springer and talked to a few parents who had children enrolled there.
“We decided it would be a good fit for Nick, and oh my goodness, it’s a perfect school for him,” she said. “It’s such a unique hidden gem that people don’t realize it has as much to offer as it does.”
One benefit a private school like Springer offers is smaller classroom sizes. Classrooms typically teach 12-15 students per class, which means kids like Nick get more individualized attention, especially from experienced educators.
“Everyone in the class has those challenges, and the teachers are really equipped to make it a smooth transition and help encourage the kids,” she said. “They focus a lot on helping kids learn to advocate for themselves. When you find those educators who are really passionate about it, and then they’re also given the opportunity and the time and supplies and all the things that they need to really reach the kids where they’re at, it’s just a perfect combination.”
Even though the family lives in the only county in northern Kentucky that offers dyslexia services, Glenn said the school segregated Nick from his classmates by pulling him out of a “normal classroom.”
“I don’t feel like Nick had much direct bullying, but he definitely felt different and felt like, ‘Oh, well, I’m just dumb,’” Glenn said. ‘That’s why I’m not good at it.’ Not, ‘Oh, I’m smart. I just learn differently,’ which is what it is for kids. He’s so smart, innovative, creative, and all of those wonderful things.”
This August, Nick started ninth grade at Springer High School, which launched in August of 2023 and will graduate its first high school class in 2027. When Nick graduates, he’ll be the second official graduating class of Springer High School.
“My favorite part of Springer is the community,” Nick Glenn said. “Everyone is so encouraging and inclusive. Everyone always feels included in every aspect of school.”
Direct, multi-sensory and experiential hands-on learning are the foundation of Springer High School’s thoughtfully designed, close-knit community. Students engage in rigorous academics and a growing selection of electives which focus on sciences, arts more. Additional courses build on language skills, actively prepare students for college, and allow them to discover their identities as learners. Student interests guide the development of a robust calendar of extracurriculars including athletics, arts, and clubs like pickleball and photography.
Some private schools can be expensive. In Springer’s case, the school offers small classroom sizes as well as staff specially trained and certified to help students overcome their specific learning challenges. Through scholarships and financial aid, Springer works with families to help their learners get the individualized support they need to thrive.
Lauren had financial concerns at first but learned that “Springer does not want finances to be the reason your child can’t attend their school,” she said. “If they think your child can be successful there and if they think your child is a good fit for the curriculum and the style of the school, they work with you to make it happen.”
Springer relies on generous donors who are passionate about education to help make their specialized program available to as many students as possible.
As they live in Northern Kentucky, Lauren Glenn said the commute to Hyde Park can take 25 minutes, but the traffic isn’t as bad as expected and is worth the travel time. Many families also choose to carpool with one another.
“Springer is going to make sure he’s ready for the real world by the end of high school,” Glenn said. “Teaching people to be kind and teaching someone to be able to stand up for themselves or stand up for the little guy is a huge, huge skill to have. And Springer really emphasizes self-advocacy and individual ownership and taking responsibility for one’s choices and one’s actions.”
Springer School and Center is located at 2121 Madison Road in Hyde Park with educational roots dating back to 1887. In addition to its Lower School, Middle School and new High School, Springer has a new Diagnostic Center offering evaluations and tutoring as well as a Learning Center that provides training to help educators and families better support young learners. For more information about the services Springer offers our community, visit www.springer-LD.org or call 513-871-6080.
