History of the School

After a stint in business, Mr. Schenck realized his true calling was in education and began teaching at The Rectory School in Pomfret, Connecticut, and in the summer at Camp Ways-Awi in Rangeley, Maine. This camp, one of the first in the U.S. to teach students with dyslexia using the Orton-Gillingham Approach, inspired Mr. Schenck to concentrate his efforts working with these students. Being dyslexic himself though never officially diagnosed, he had a keen understanding of the struggles of the dyslexic learner and started to put together a plan for a school.

In 1959, after obtaining a master’s degree in education from Emory University, Mr. Schenck worked in a reading lab at an Atlanta school, tutoring students who were at risk of failing because of their difficulties in reading. There he realized that tutoring was not enough to give most of the students the support they needed to be successful. What they needed was a more specialized and intensive educational environment.

David and Dee Schenck founded The Reading School, a predecessor of The Schenck School, in the basement of St. Anne’s Church on Moores Mill Road in Atlanta. Mr. Schenck's focus was on academics while, Mrs. Schenck managed the business side. Later, the School moved to the Schenck family residence on Piedmont Road and then again to their home on Mt. Paran Road. In 1965, the name changed to The Schenck School, and in 1966, Mr. and Mrs. Schenck purchased the current site on Mt. Paran Road.

A New Approach in Teaching Students With Dyslexia

Through a careful screening process, students with similar learning profiles who would benefit from being in small class groups were selected. One-on-one instruction was available for those students who needed an even more specialized environment. Mr. Schenck had the innovative idea of enrolling students for a limited period of approximately three years. His intention was to focus on remedial programming and then to guide families in selecting the next school the student would attend.

Strong Ties to The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators

In 1997, The Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators was founded to maintain professional and ethical standards of teaching Orton-Gillingham to individuals with dyslexia. Marge Tillman, Claire Pearson and David Schenck were three of the original fellows of the Academy.

The Schenck School Expands Program to Support Adults

In 1999, David Schenck, who understood the impact of dyslexia on adults as well as children, started evening classes for adults. The Adult Dyslexia Program began at the Cathedral of St. Philip and later moved to St. Anne’s Episcopal Church, where it is still operates today. Schenck School faculty and staff volunteer as instructors.

Expansion and Change

In 2000, Gena Calloway assumed the role of Head of School, and Rosalie Davis served as the Assistant Head of School alongside her. Under Gena's leadership, The School achieved several significant milestones became one of the pioneering institutions to receive accreditation from both the Academy of Orton-Gillingham Practitioners and Educators, attaining accreditation not only as a school but also as a teacher training site.

During this period, the School's enrollment grew substantially, reaching a total of 250 students. The Schenck School attained dual accreditation from the Southern Association of Independent Schools (SAIS) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS).

In 2013, after successfully remediating students with dyslexia with our unique approach, the time was right to follow David Schenck's vision and help struggling readers outside of the School. The Dyslexia Resource, later renamed ReadSource, was founded as an extension of the work of the The Schenck School. Throughout partnerships and programs in training, tutoring, and education, more individuals would now have access to our expertise, experience and results. 

After serving The Schenck School for 15 years, Gena Calloway retired in 2015. Following her retirement, Ferrell Singleton temporarily assumed the role of Interim Head of School from 2015 to 2016. In July 2016, Josh Clark took over as Head of School. During his time in this position, Josh introduced the Schenck School House System, skillfully guided the school through the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, and significantly raised the school's national prominence in the field of dyslexia remediation and education.

In 2022, Josh concluded his tenure, and Bill Wharton served as the Interim Head from 2022 to 2023. Finally, in 2023, Dr. Kara A. Loftin began her role of Head of School.