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    The Gow Method

    The Gow Method of Reconstructive Language grew out of Gow's work with Dr. Samuel T. Orton. Every teacher is trained in it, and its practices are woven into every class, every day. Here is how it works.

    How We Teach

    The Gow Method, Woven into Every Class

    For many students, language has never quite made sense. They have tried to keep up, memorize rules, and push through, but nothing has really stuck. The Gow Method of Reconstructive Language works because it removes the guesswork. Students are not asked to figure things out on their own. They are shown exactly how language works, step by step, in a way that is clear and consistent. Every student takes it as a class of its own, and its practices carry into English, math, science, and history alike.

    1. Understand Each Student

      Every student is assessed on arrival so we know exactly where to begin.

    2. Group by Skill

      Students learn with peers at the same level, in small classes with a 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio.

    3. Rebuild Language Daily

      Every teacher is trained in The Gow Method, so its practices are woven into every subject and practice happens all day, not once a week.

    4. Reassess and Regroup

      Each year we measure growth and regroup students as their skills advance.

    5. Build Independence

      Executive-function coaching teaches planning, organization, and self-advocacy.

    6. Launch to College

      Personalized college advising and an optional post-graduate year.

    Black-and-white group photograph of Gow faculty and students in jackets and ties, gathered on the front steps of a white clapboard building in 1929
    Gow Faculty and Students, 1929

    The original, refined for 100 years. The Gow Method of Reconstructive Language was developed at Gow with input from Dr. Samuel T. Orton. Many of today's structured-literacy programs share the same roots. Ours has had a century of daily classroom practice, taught by faculty trained to IMSLEC-accredited standards.

    See How The Gow Method Works

    Who We Serve

    Since 1926, Gow has been known around the world for its work with dyslexic students. We do not patch over the problem. We rebuild how a student learns, from the ground up.

    Our students are bright young people in grades 5 through post-graduate with dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and related language-based learning differences. Many also have ADD or ADHD or struggle with executive function, which is common alongside a language-based difference. We also teach students with dyspraxia, Central Auditory Processing Disorder (CAPD), and Language Processing Disorder (LPD).

    Learning Differences We Support

    • ADHD
    • Auditory Processing Disorder
    • Central Auditory Processing Disorder
    • Dyscalculia
    • Dysgraphia
    • Dyslexia
    • Executive function challenges
    • Specific learning differences

    Not sure whether your child is a fit? Our admissions team reviews every inquiry and responds within 24 hours. If Gow is not the right school, we will tell you honestly and share a list of schools that may be.

    Is Gow the Right Fit?

    Tell us about your child and we will talk through what we see. Enrollment Management: 716.687.2001 or [email protected].

    See If Gow Fits

    What We Do

    A smiling middle school student in glasses reviews a deck of Gow Method phonics cards, with more cards spread across the table

    The Program

    The Gow Method is a form of Multisensory Structured Language Education (MSLE). Students learn through sight, sound, and touch at the same time, so each new skill has more than one path into memory.

    The work is systematic and cumulative. Students move step by step through phonics, spelling, and vocabulary toward fluent reading, and each lesson builds on the one before. Nothing is skipped and nothing is left to chance.

    A Gow teacher points to a worksheet as two students follow along at a round table in a bright classroom

    The Expertise

    Every member of the Gow faculty is trained in the basics of The Gow Method, not only the teachers who lead its classes. That is why the method carries into English, math, science, and history.

    • Gow faculty present at national conferences, including the International Dyslexia Association (IDA), the Learning Disabilities Association (LDA), and The Association of Boarding Schools (TABS).
    • Our teacher preparation program is accredited by IMSLEC (the International Multisensory Structured Language Education Council) and includes a supervised practicum.

    The Result

    Small, supportive classes where students finally see their own progress. Confidence follows skill. Our alumni tell that story better than we can.

    Read Their Stories See Outcomes

    At a Glance

    • Founded 1926
    • 4:1 student-to-faculty ratio
    • Classes of 3 to 7 students
    • The Gow Method taught every year, every student

    The Gow Method FAQs

    Is The Gow Method of Reconstructive Language the same as Orton-Gillingham?

    No. The Gow Method of Reconstructive Language is our own approach, developed at Gow and taught only on our campus. It has been refined independently for 100 years to meet the unique needs of Gow students. Every student takes it as a class of its own, and faculty trained in the method weave its practices into every subject.

    Is The Gow Method of Reconstructive Language appropriate for teenagers?

    Yes. The Gow Method is built for adolescent learners. It provides clear, structured instruction while respecting students' maturity, helping them build skills, confidence, and independence.

    How is The Gow Method different from other reading programs?

    We focus on helping students understand how language works. By learning patterns like prefixes, suffixes, and roots, students can read and make sense of new words without relying on memorization alone.

    Can students really improve their reading skills at Gow?

    Yes. With consistent practice and expert instruction, students make meaningful progress in reading, writing, and academic confidence. Gow graduates leave with skills they will use in college and beyond.

    A laughing student in a navy Gow quarter-zip fans out a stack of handwritten Gow Method phonics cards along one arm, reviewing them with a classmate

    Explore How We Teach

    Small ClassesThree to seven students, and a teacher who knows each one. CurriculumCourses, daily tutorial, and study hall. Middle SchoolGrades 5 to 8, where students relearn how school works. Upper SchoolCore courses, electives, and the road to college. Post-Graduate YearA gap year with college courses and Gow Method support. College AdvisingA step-by-step plan from 9th grade to acceptance. Executive Function CoachingWeekly one-on-one coaching in planning and organization. Technology and RoboticsAssistive software, interactive classrooms, and BotsIQ. Fine ArtsStudios, portfolios, music lessons, and recitals.

    Privacy Policy

    Use of Personal Information

    We do not collect any personal information unless you voluntarily provide it by sending us e-mail, participating in a survey, or completing an on-line form. Personal information submitted will not be transferred to any non-affiliated third parties unless otherwise stated at the time of collection. When a user submits personally identifiable information it is used only for the purpose stated at the time of collection.

    Consent

    Where consent for the use and disclosure of personal information is required, the school will seek consent from the appropriate person. In the case of a student’s personal information, the school will seek the consent from the student and/ or parent depending on the circumstances and the student’s mental ability and maturity to understand the consequences of the proposed use and disclosure.

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    Links

    This website may contain links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every Web site that collects personally identifiable information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this website.

    Security

    This website takes every precaution to protect our users' personal information. Whenever users submit personal information (such as contact info or credit card info) via online forms, registration, or online purchase, upon submission that information is encrypted via the highest level of SSL (Secured Sockets Layer) available. Servers that store personally identifiable information are in a secure environment. Under no circumstances are credit card numbers permanently stored on our website servers.

    Non-Secured Communications

    Posts to discussion forums, discussion boards, comments to blogs, and Alumni Class Notes are viewable by other users. When these areas are not in a password protected area, they may be viewable by the general public. Please be aware of this when posting personal information in these areas.

    Contact Information

    If users have any questions or suggestions regarding our privacy policy, please contact us.

    Non-Discrimination Policy

    The Gow School admits students of any race/color, ancestry/national origin, religion/creed, and sexual orientation to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race/color, ancestry/national origin, religion/creed, and sexual orientation in the administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, athletic, and other school-administered programs.

    The Gow School is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race/color, ancestry/national origin, religion/creed, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, age, or disability. The Gow School complies with Federal and State Laws regarding nondiscrimination and preference.

    Land Acknowledgement Statement

    The Gow School acknowledges that our campus is situated on the land once belonging to the Haudenosaunee people and we pledge to honor their enduring presence.