Every year, new families come to the same valley, from across the country and around the world, and find their turning point here. These are their stories, and this is the life they find.
Lives Changed
"Gow has taught our son how to navigate his reading challenges so they don't hold him back."
Laura Neil, Parent ’29
Still Changing Lives
What stands out most from my time at Gow is the sense of family. My teachers believed in me and helped me overcome dyslexia, while the experiences I had as a class president, and team captain, helped build my confidence and leadership skills.
Izer Martinez ’13
Gow has helped both of my children discover strengths they didn't know they had. The people at Gow are what make it so special. They truly know and care about each student as an individual. Whether it's a teacher, coach, advisor, or dorm parent, our children have always had adults in their corner who genuinely want them to succeed. I wish more parents knew that Gow is so much more than a school—it's a community. If your child learns differently, they won't just fit in here—they'll thrive. Sending your child away isn't easy, but watching them gain confidence, independence, and lifelong friendships makes every mile between home and campus worth it. And yes…the laundry eventually does come home!
Sandra Vega Russo, Parent ’27 and ’29
One thing almost every Gow student has in common is that we've seen failure. What made the biggest difference was how the teachers handled it: always with kindness, grace, and support. There was an understanding of 'Let's get back up and try again.' And again. And again. Until we no longer saw failure as the end, rather just another part of the process.
Jake Tucker ’09
Because of Gow, now as a middle school Chorus and Musical Theater teacher, I am confident and help my students see someone with learning disabilities thrive. Because of Gow, I have learned to stand up for myself and my needs, and now I teach all of my students those same lessons and prepare them for a world not made for us.
Kristen Klementowski ’14
The faculty listens to students and parents, adapts to what kids need, and creates opportunities for them to build on their strengths. Gow has continued to expand its engineering program in response to what they have seen in students like [our son]. They see the whole child—not just where they struggle, but where they can thrive—and then they help build them up.
Laura Neil, Parent ’29
My two years at Gow were utterly transformative. For the first time I found I was not alone in not getting school. I was not stupid. There were others like me and the Gow Reconstructive Language program began to reconstruct my own way of approaching not just reading and writing but, how I approach my learning difficulties—my learning differences.
Bill Hoke ’58
We know her confidence has been boosted by the sheer increase in reading skill but also from living and learning with other students with dyslexia. She knows she is with other students whose experience and struggles are similar to hers and they can celebrate each other's successes and struggles together. We can see the skills that she is building becoming a foundation for her college journey and life. The investment now so clearly and positively impacts the rest of her life.
Mike and Lezah McCarthy, Parents ’29
If You're a Student Reading This
Everyone at Gow has been where you are. The classes are small, the teachers get it, and nobody has to hide. Come see for yourself.
