In 1994, the nation’s first program to help children afflicted with dyslexia was launched by the Scottish Rite of the Northern Jurisdiction and Massachusetts General Hospital’s Language Disorders Unit.
We know that when parents understand dyslexia and feel supported, children flourish. Our goal is to make the learning journey a partnership built on trust, compassion, and shared progress.
The Children’s Dyslexia Center, Valley of Dayton was established in 1999 with 4 students and operated under the name of Learning Centers for Children. It began as a charitable work of the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite through the nonprofit Learning Centers for Children, Inc., in collaboration with the Language Disorders Unit of Massachusetts General Hospital. Today it is part of a network of 40 Centers across 13 states under the direction of Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc. Seven centers are located in Ohio.
The Dyslexia Center of Dayton, located in Historic Grafton Hill, serves more than 25 students per semester from nine counties throughout the Miami Valley, as well as provides tutor training to adults interested in becoming certified tutors. Both tutoring and tutor training are currently being offered tuition free.
Throughout its 25-year history, the Center has had only three directors, Bonnie Gregory, Donna Donahue, and the current director, Anna Borchers. The center director is responsible for the clinical tutoring program while the operational funding for the Center is the responsibility of the local Board of Governors and is raised through grants, donations and fundraisers. The Scottish Rite Valley of Dayton covers the cost of facilities.
The Dyslexia Center resides on the lower level of the Dayton Masonic Center, a beautiful historic building located across from the Dayton Art Institute. In 2010, the Center was dedicated to Neil and Willa Jean Smalley who have been instrumental not only in the creation of the center but its continued success.
Our services are offered to children, aged 6 to 18, without regard to race, color, sex, creed, sect, or Masonic affiliation. Our service area includes students from Auglaize, Clark, Darke, Fayette, Greene, Hamilton, Madison, Miami and Montgomery counties.
*Please note that testing dated within two years, such as a school ETR or independent evaluation by a licensed psychologist, are required for consideration for the program. For further information on enrollment in the Dayton program, contact our Center Director at [email protected].
Dyslexia is a specific language-based learning difference. Dyslexia makes it difficult for children to read words accurately and quickly. Dyslexia varies in severity and can persist even after classroom instruction. Dyslexia can lead to difficulty with written expression, reading comprehension, and academic achievement.
Dyslexia results from genetic, biological, and environmental factors that interact throughout a child’s life.
Without proper intervention, Dyslexia can lead to lifelong challenges without effective intervention.
That’s where the Children’s Dyslexia Centers can help.
The Children’s Dyslexia Centers equip children with the skills, strategies, and confidence they need to become successful learners. Our progress data show that most children make significant gains in literacy skills.
To begin the process, please download the form below and fill it out.
Masonic Temple,
525 West Riverview Avenue,
Dayton,
Ohio
45405
(937) 496-2242
Children’s Dyslexia Centers, Inc.
EIN 04-3169620 • IMSLEC® Educator Accredited.
At age seven, Sydney’s parents knew she was struggling with reading. It wasn’t until the CDC stepped in that she could learn in a way that finally made sense.
Today, she reads with confidence because the right support changed everything.