For decades, Orton-Gillingham instruction has been recognized as one of the most effective approaches for teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences. Its success is not accidental. Instead, it is rooted in a strong scientific foundation, thoughtful instructional design, and consistent application across some of the most respected dyslexia schools in the United States. Understanding why Orton-Gillingham works helps parents and educators make informed decisions about literacy instruction.

The Background of Orton-Gillingham: Who Developed It and When

The Orton-Gillingham approach was developed in the early 20th century by Dr. Samuel T. Orton, a neuropsychiatrist, and Anna Gillingham, an educator and psychologist. Dr. Orton’s research focused on children who struggled to read despite having average or above-average intelligence. He believed that these reading difficulties stemmed from differences in how the brain processes language.

Anna Gillingham expanded upon Orton’s theories and helped translate them into a structured instructional method. Together, their work led to what is now known as the Orton-Gillingham approach, a structured, sequential, and multisensory method of teaching reading, spelling, and written language. Although developed nearly a century ago, Orton-Gillingham remains highly relevant because it aligns closely with modern research on how the brain learns to read.

Orton-Gillingham in Highly Sought-After Dyslexia Schools

One of the clearest indicators of Orton-Gillingham’s effectiveness is its widespread use in elite schools dedicated to educating students with dyslexia. These schools integrate OG principles deeply into their curricula, often across all subject areas.

• Landmark School (Massachusetts)
  Landmark School serves students with language-based learning differences and uses Orton-Gillingham–based structured literacy across all grades. Instruction emphasizes explicit reading, writing, and language development integrated throughout the school day.
  
• The Windward School (New York)
  Windward is known for its intensive language remediation program rooted in Orton-Gillingham principles. Students receive daily, small-group instruction focused on decoding, encoding, and comprehension using multisensory techniques.
  
• The Carroll School (Massachusetts)
  Carroll School educates students with dyslexia using a curriculum that embeds OG-based instruction into reading, writing, and content-area learning. Lessons are systematic, cumulative, and designed to build mastery over time.
  
• Eagle Hill School (Massachusetts)
  Eagle Hill provides individualized instruction based on Orton-Gillingham methodology, emphasizing structured literacy and explicit language instruction tailored to each student’s needs.
  
• Winston Preparatory School (New York, Connecticut, New Jersey)
  Winston Prep uses a highly individualized model informed by OG principles. Their focus is on understanding how each student learns and adapting instruction accordingly, particularly in reading and written language.
  
• Westmark School (California)
  Westmark School serves students with language-based learning differences through a structured literacy approach grounded in Orton-Gillingham. Instruction emphasizes phonological awareness, decoding, spelling, and comprehension.
  
• The Lab School of Washington (Washington, DC)
  The Lab School integrates Orton-Gillingham–based instruction with experiential learning, supporting students with dyslexia through explicit language instruction across subjects.
  
• Currey Ingram Academy (Tennessee)
  Currey Ingram Academy uses OG-aligned instruction to support students with dyslexia, ADHD, and related learning differences, with a strong emphasis on individualized literacy development.

The consistent use of Orton-Gillingham principles across these schools underscores its reliability and effectiveness.

How Orton-Gillingham Benefits the Student

Orton-Gillingham works because it reflects what we know about effective instruction. While approaches and materials may vary, the instructional principles remain consistent. Key features include:

• Direct and explicit teaching rather than implicit or discovery-only learning
  
• A gradual release of responsibility, moving from teacher modeling to guided practice and then independent work
  
• Purposeful, repeated practice in the targeted skill
  
• Instruction that follows a logical sequence, ensuring foundational skills are mastered before more complex ones are introduced
  
• Emphasis on mastery rather than speed or exposure
  
• Flexibility that allows instruction to change based on ongoing assessment
  
• Comprehensive engagement of language through reading, spelling, speaking, and listening
  
• Lessons that begin with review and connect previously learned material to new concepts
  
• Thoughtful questioning that checks for true understanding
  
• Immediate correction of errors to prevent misconceptions from becoming ingrained
  
• Guided discovery when appropriate, allowing students to build insight with support

Together, these elements create instruction that is structured yet responsive, predictable yet flexible. For students with dyslexia, this approach builds confidence, reduces frustration, and leads to lasting literacy gains.

Get Private Orton-Gillingham Tutoring for Your Child

Since 2021, Aligned Academics has been a leader in private Orton-Gillingham tutoring, providing individualized, high-quality instruction for students who need structured literacy support. By applying the same proven principles used in top dyslexia schools, Aligned Academics delivers expert instruction tailored to each learner—whether in person or online.

If your child is struggling with reading or spelling and needs instruction grounded in research and experience, Aligned Academics is here to help. Reach out today to learn how Orton-Gillingham tutoring can unlock your child’s potential and build lifelong literacy skills.