Frequently Asked Questions

No. If your child is struggling with reading, writing, spelling, or math — for any reason — we can help. Feller School specializes in teaching children with dyslexia to read. However, the same science-based phonics methods we use for dyslexic students are also highly effective for children who simply need to catch up.

Our personalized application process puts your family front and center. We want to learn your story and find the best path forward for you and your child. The process begins with an inquiry, followed by a school visit, and then a formal application. Learn more at fellerschool.org/apply.

We identify students at risk for reading difficulties as early as possible. We can administer a digital assessment tool to screen for dyslexia. The results don't provide a formal diagnosis, but they help pinpoint specific weaknesses such as:

• Decoding words
• Reading comprehension
• Fluency
• Phonological awareness

This screening can happen as early as Kindergarten.

Feller School serves students in Kindergarten through 6th grade. Our small class sizes allow us to group students by ability rather than grade level, so every child works at exactly the right pace for them.

Yes — and we encourage it. A 30-minute school tour with our director Kim is free, and you're welcome to bring your child. You'll get a real feel for how the school works, what a day looks like, and whether Feller is the right fit. Schedule at fellerschool.org/visit.

Re-enrollment for returning students is due by July 1. New student enrollment is on a rolling basis — we fill spots as they become available, so we encourage families to start the process early.

Tuition for the 2025–2026 school year is $15,000 for all grades. Families may incur additional expenses for school supplies, lunch, field trips, and extracurricular activities. Feller School uses FACTS Tuition Management for tuition payments and billing.

Yes. Needs-based tuition assistance is available. The financial aid process begins after submitting an enrollment deposit — we'll send the aid application at that point. Our goal is to never turn away a student because of finances. Learn more at fellerschool.org/tuition-support.

Yes. We fundraise and work with donors to help underwrite tuition and other programs. Please ask us about our needs-based tuition program when you inquire or schedule a visit.

There are a few ways families reduce the effective cost of tuition:

• Feller Financial Aid — needs-based assistance directly from the school
• Wisconsin Private School Tuition Deduction — Wisconsin allows a state income tax deduction of up to $4,000 per student for private school tuition
• 529 Education Savings Plans — funds from 529 accounts can be used for K–12 private school tuition up to $10,000 per year

Yes. Feller School uses FACTS Tuition Management, which offers flexible payment plan options so families don't have to pay tuition in a single lump sum.

Class sizes are a maximum of 12 students. This allows us to group students into small pods by ability rather than grade — which is how dyslexic learners thrive. Every student receives daily one-on-one time with their teacher, and teachers can focus on individual progress monitoring in a way that simply isn't possible in a traditional classroom.

The day is structured around how dyslexic brains learn best — focused bursts of instruction followed by movement, games, and brain breaks. A typical day includes:

• Morning gym and movement
• Logic of English reading and writing instruction
• Morning recess
• Small group and individual reading with teacher and volunteers
• Math (small ratio, approximately 4:1)
• Lunch and recess
• Science, buddy reading, or music
• Afternoon LOE games and activity time

Yes. Feller School is a screen-free environment. All learning is hands-on, face-to-face, and multisensory. We believe screen-free instruction is especially important for students with dyslexia, who benefit most from real human interaction and tactile learning experiences.

We keep homework minimal. Students with dyslexia work significantly harder than their peers throughout the school day — their brains are working twice as hard just to process what others do automatically. Piling on homework at the end of that would be counterproductive and exhausting.

Feller School is located at 5405 Flad Ave, Madison, WI 53711. You can reach us by phone at 608-271-7551 ext. 133.

The school day runs Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Please contact us directly for the most current school calendar and schedule information.

Dyslexia is a language-based learning difference that affects how the brain processes the sounds in spoken and written language. It has nothing to do with intelligence, vision problems, or lack of effort. It is the most common learning difference, affecting approximately 1 in 5 people. With the right instruction, students with dyslexia make dramatic, lasting progress.

Dyslexia doesn't go away on its own — but it is absolutely treatable with the right instruction. Children who receive structured literacy intervention before third grade close the gap significantly faster than those who wait. The brain is remarkably adaptable, and the right teaching builds new neural pathways that make reading easier over time.

Absolutely not. Dyslexia affects people across all intelligence levels. Many people with dyslexia have above-average IQs and exceptional creative, strategic, and problem-solving abilities. The challenge is specifically with how the brain processes written language — not with thinking, reasoning, or understanding.

Dyscalculia is a specific learning difference that affects how the brain processes numbers and mathematical concepts. It makes arithmetic, understanding quantity, and math reasoning persistently difficult — regardless of intelligence or instruction quality. It affects approximately 5–7% of students and often co-occurs with dyslexia.

Dysgraphia is a specific learning difference that affects written expression — including handwriting, spelling, and the physical act of putting thoughts on paper. Students with dysgraphia often have rich ideas and strong verbal skills, but struggle to express them in writing. It frequently co-occurs with dyslexia.

Yes — dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia all have strong genetic components. If you or your partner struggled with reading or math in school, your child may be more likely to face similar challenges. This is one of the reasons we ask about family history during our screening process.

Signs of dyslexia can appear as early as preschool — difficulty with rhyming, learning the alphabet, or mispronouncing words persistently. We can administer our digital screener as early as Kindergarten. Research consistently shows that earlier identification leads to significantly better outcomes.

Feller School uses the Logic of English® (LOE) curriculum — a structured, systematic literacy program built on the Science of Reading. LOE teaches all 75 basic phonograms and 31 spelling rules that explain 98% of English words. Rather than asking children to guess or memorize, we teach the logical patterns behind the language so students can decode any word they encounter.

We use Math-U-See — a hands-on, concrete, multisensory math program that builds genuine number sense rather than rote memorization. It's particularly effective for students with dyscalculia and for any learner who needs to truly understand math, not just perform it.

Yes. We teach cursive handwriting using the Rhythm of Handwriting method — a systematic approach that builds the motor memory and neural connections that support both writing and reading. Research shows that learning cursive actually helps students with dyslexia and dysgraphia build stronger literacy connections.

Beyond reading, writing, and math, Feller School teaches History and Geography, Science, Art, Music, and Physical Education — using Core Knowledge curriculum for History and Science. Every subject is taught in a way that accommodates and supports students with learning differences.

The Science of Reading refers to decades of research into how the brain learns to read. It shows that reading is not a natural skill — it must be explicitly taught through systematic phonics instruction. This means teaching the sound-spelling relationships of the language directly, rather than asking children to guess words from context or pictures. Structured Literacy, which is what we practice at Feller School, is the teaching approach built on this research.

We offer two summer camp programs:

• Focused Learning Camp — For ages 8–12. June 22–July 30, Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–3:00 PM. $2,950 per student.
• School Ready Camp — For ages 5–7. August 3–13, Monday–Thursday, 8:00 AM–11:30 AM. $600 per student.

Mornings are spent on structured reading, writing, and math instruction with our specialist teachers. There are multiple recesses throughout the day, and afternoons are filled with reading games, spelling games, and math games — building skills while having fun. Camp is completely screen-free.

No. Summer camp is open to any child who could benefit from structured literacy and math instruction — whether they attend Feller School during the year or not.

You can register online at fellerschool.org/summer-camp. Spots are limited — we recommend registering early to secure your child's place.

Yes. We offer an intensive 4-day Logic of English® Master Training program for educators. It covers all 75 phonograms, 31 spelling rules, spelling analysis, dyslexia identification, and differentiated instruction. Teachers leave with the skills to implement structured literacy in their classroom immediately.

Yes. Teachers who complete the 4-day training receive a certificate for 16 official continuing education clock hours. These are eligible for district reimbursement and professional development credit.

The training is $500 per teacher. This includes all Logic of English® Foundations curriculum materials, the CE certificate, and coffee service each morning. The workshop runs 8:30 AM–12:30 PM each day.

Our next cohort is planned for August 2026 — exact dates are to be confirmed. Contact us to be added to the waitlist and we'll notify you as soon as dates are set.

No prior experience is required. The training is designed to meet teachers where they are — whether you're brand new to structured literacy or looking to deepen existing knowledge. All materials are provided.

Many participants successfully seek district reimbursement for professional development. The 16 CE clock hours and official certificate support that request. We recommend checking with your district's PD coordinator before enrolling.