On behalf of the Benchmark School community, welcome to our website. We hope you will explore the information found here and then visit us in person. Upon doing so, I am confident that you will understand why I feel Benchmark School is an exceptional learning community for bright, struggling learners.
But, first, I encourage you to answer the following question: If you wanted to design the ideal school for struggling readers and learners, what would it look like?
There is a good chance your plan would include:
If this list mirrors yours, then I can’t wait until you visit Benchmark School, because this list describes who we are and what we do.
I encourage you to visit our campus during one of our Open Houses so that you can experience our dynamic learning environment for yourself.
I look forward to welcoming you to campus soon.
Warmly,
Robb Gaskins
Head of School
You know your child is smart, but now everyone around him seems to be reading well and meeting with success in school while he is struggling. He works hard to conceal his struggles and downplay his difficulties, but inside you can see that his confidence is falling, his anxiety is rising, and he is beginning to doubt his own abilities.
This heartbreaking scenario is experienced by many families, and it is the reason Benchmark School was founded 41 years ago.
Benchmark is committed to helping bright, struggling readers and learners develop into confident and strategic thinkers and problem-solvers who take charge of their own learning and are prepared to meet with success in public and independent high schools and colleges.
View What Alumni and Their Parents Say About Benchmark.
View What Reading and Literacy Experts Say About Benchmark.
Student Population
The students at Benchmark School are bright children in grades 1-8 who are reading below grade level and are struggling in school. Their difficulties in reading and learning are related to how they process language and/or a mismatch of their learning style and the instruction they have received.
Students who attend Benchmark regularly arrive with labels such as dyslexia, auditory processing difficulties, ADD, and ADHD. These labels provide a starting point for understanding the issues that are correlated with the students’ difficulties in school.
However, experience has taught us that there is great variability within each label. Consequently we develop a detailed understanding of each student’s particular strengths and challenges and use this profile as a basis for individualized instruction.
Our goal is to meet students where they are so that they will experience success and develop the confidence that will enable them to take full advantage of the instruction that will help them become successful learners and citizens of the world.
Benchmark enrolls approximately 150 full-time students ages 6 to 14
from the five-county Philadelphia region, Southern New Jersey, and Delaware.
In addition, a five-week Summer Camp serves approximately 230 children
who benefit from reading and writing instruction beyond the regular school
year, as well as enjoy a recreational day camp experience.
Board of Trustees
Richard C. Gaskins, Jr., Esq. - Chair
Amy T. Petersen - Vice Chair
Regina M. Smith - Secretary
David A. Stitley - Treasurer
Betsy Bemis, William B. Carey, M.D., Irene W. Gaskins, Ed.D., Robert W. Gaskins, Ph.D.,
Beth Goodhart, James R. Hallam, Ph.D., March W. Pepper, Douglas H. Pyle, Adam W. Watson, Roberta West
Benchmark School is licensed by the Pennsylvania State Board of Private Academic Schools and has been accorded 501(c)(3) status by the Internal Revenue Service. A not-for-profit, independent school, Benchmark relies on tuition and charitable gifts for its operation.
Benchmark School does not discrimiate on the basis of race, color, or ethnic or national origin, or any other category protected by law in the administration of its admissions/dismissal policies.
