Cultivating Mathematicians at Oakwood School

Oakwood School is a private school in the Washington, D.C., metro area serving elementary- and middle-school students with specific learning disabilities. Our math instruction is grounded in multisensory, evidence-based strategies, specifically designed to meet the unique learning needs of students with dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and dyscalculia.

Students arrive at Oakwood with diverse mathematical abilities. Some may have dyscalculia, a weak math foundation, deficits in spatial reasoning, language processing difficulties, or even anxiety related to math. All these challenges impact a child in math class. Our structured program includes explicit instruction of math skills and concepts, along with essential executive function skills that support their organization, working memory, and problem-solving. 

Multisensory Math Instruction for Students with Dyscalculia

Oakwood's math curriculum is built on the Concrete-Representational-Abstract (CRA) model, a research-backed framework that supports students in developing conceptual understanding and long-term retention.

• Concrete: Students explore math concepts through hands-on manipulatives, providing a tangible foundation for learning.
• Representational: Visual models and two-dimensional diagrams bridge concrete experiences to abstract reasoning. 
• Abstract: Students work with numbers, symbols, and real-world problems, applying conceptual understanding independently. 

By using systematic, multisensory techniques, Oakwood School ensures that students with specific learning disabilities, such as dyscalculia, dyslexia, and dysgraphia, can engage fully and build confidence in their mathematical abilities. Recognizing that poor retention is a core challenge for many learners with dyscalculia, teachers embed external memory supports, like formula sheets, multiplication lists, and calculators, alongside hands-on, visual, and verbal instruction. These tools help students focus on conceptual understanding and access higher-level math concepts without getting bogged down in recalling facts and formulas.

Beyond Memorization: Critical Thinking and Real-World Application

At Oakwood, students learn strategies to help them tackle real-world problems.

This includes:

• Developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Identifying and prioritizing important information 
• Reviewing their work for accuracy and clarity
• Solving open-ended problems through strategy and planning
• Applying math to real-world situations

This approach is particularly valuable for students with dyscalculia, as it strengthens conceptual understanding and flexible problem-solving rather than memorizing procedures, empowering them to approach challenges with confidence and creativity. 

Growth Mindset: Learning from Mistakes

We view mistakes as opportunities for growth. Neuroscience research shows that errors stimulate brain activity, strengthening learning and cognitive flexibility. For students with dyscalculia, dyslexia, dysgraphia, and other learning differences, embracing challenges and learning from mistakes is central to developing resilience and a growth mindset in math. 

Tailored Support at Every Level

It is never too late to build math confidence. Whether students need to strengthen foundational skills, overcome challenges related to dyscalculia, dyslexia, or dysgraphia, or seek advanced enrichment, Oakwood’s personalized, small-group instruction ensures success for learners at all levels. Our program also targets executive function skills, teaching students strategies to organize their work, sequence steps, and use external supports for memory. These tools help students access and apply learning more independently over time. 

Why Families in Northern Virginia Choose Oakwood School

• Specialized support for students with dyscalculia and math-related learning challenges
• Small group and personalized instruction tailored to each learner
• Evidence-based teaching strategies, including CRA and multisensory learning
• Focus on growth mindset, executive function, and real-world problem solving
• Preparation for academic success beyond the classroom

At Oakwood School, we don’t just teach math; we cultivate confident mathematicians prepared for lifelong learning.