History
For more than 40 years, Hamlin Robinson School has been at the forefront of educating students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences.
The History of Hamlin Robinson School
Founded in 1983 by the Slingerland® Institute and the Robinson family, HRS began with a class of just eleven students and has grown to serve nearly 400 students annually in grades 1–8.
Today, HRS is the only non-profit school in Washington, and one of only a few in the United States, dedicated specifically to this learning community. Throughout our history, HRS has remained committed to helping students discover confidence, capability, and success through instruction intentionally designed for how they learn best. As the school grew, so did our vision for serving students, families, and educators beyond our classrooms.
Expanding Our Reach: The Learning Center
In 2012, the Learning Center at HRS was established to extend support to the broader community through tutoring, parent education, professional development, college counseling, community events, and student services. Today, the Learning Center serves thousands of students, families, and educators each year and will open its first Tacoma satellite location in fall 2026.
A Permanent Home Built by Our Community
The HRS campus itself reflects the strength and commitment of our community. After learning in 2013 that the school would lose the lease in its then-current facility, the HRS Board of Trustees and community came together to build a permanent home intentionally designed to support our students’ needs. Through a capital campaign that raised more than $9 million, HRS purchased property in Seattle’s North Beacon Hill neighborhood and completed construction of a new campus just one year after breaking ground.
As the school continued to grow, HRS expanded the campus through the acquisition of neighboring properties, including the Joan Beauregard Playfield and Pavilion. In 2019, the school purchased the adjacent Oberto property and began plans for a dedicated Middle School building and expanded Learning Center space. The new Middle School officially opened in November 2022.
Looking to the Future
In September 2026, HRS will launch its Preschool Program, serving three- and four-year-old learners in a language-rich environment designed to support early literacy, communication, and social-emotional growth.
From eleven students in a single classroom to a thriving campus and community resource center, Hamlin Robinson School continues to grow while staying rooted in its core purpose: helping students with dyslexia and language-based learning differences discover what is possible.
Our History & Evolution
