Admissions FAQs

While many students at HRS have a formal diagnosis of dyslexia, one is not required. Your student may benefit from our comprehensive educational program if they:

• Are receiving academic support services in reading, writing, and/or math through an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or other learning support programs at their current school
• Are not acquiring reading and writing skills as anticipated or at the same pace as their peers

Our specialized multisensory program supports successful learning for students with a range of language-based learning differences.

HRS enrolls students whose primary area of need is literacy. Some students may also have co-occurring attentional challenges - research indicates that about 30% of children with dyslexia also have ADHD. The structure and explicit nature of our program supports these learning needs and, in order to be effective, our students must be able to engage and access the curriculum alongside peers in a classroom-based model. HRS does not provide 1:1 instruction or small group pull-out support for regulation or academic intervention.

Our admissions team welcomes the opportunity to learn more about a student's specific learning profile, strengths, and challenges to explore whether HRS may be an appropriate fit.

Many students at HRS are considered twice exceptional (2e) - intellectually gifted learners who also have a learning difference (such as dyslexia). Like all students, 2e learners think and process information differently. 2e students often thrive at HRS when their primary diagnosis is dyslexia or a language-based learning difference, though we acknowledge that each student is unique and many factors go into determining the best school environment for each child. Our admissions team would welcome connecting to hear more about a student, their learning profile, and goals for the student in considering if our program may be an appropriate fit.

HRS enrolls students whose primary area of need is literacy. Our expertise and resources are dedicated to supporting students with dyslexia and related language-based learning differences in a classroom setting. HRS is not structured to provide 1:1 intervention for academics, social skills, behavior, or emotional regulation.

Our admissions team welcomes the opportunity to learn more about a student's unique learning profile to discuss whether HRS could be a wholly supportive environment for them.

Every child is different, but a specialized school may be worth considering if your child continues to struggle despite receiving appropriate instruction, intervention, or tutoring or if your child is losing confidence or enjoyment at school. A specialized school can provide an environment where evidence-based instruction, small class sizes, and a community of peers with similar learning profiles are part of the entire school day - not just an hour of intervention.

Families often begin exploring a specialized school when their child:

• Continues to struggle with reading, writing, or spelling despite intervention.
• Is making some progress with intervention, but would benefit from more regular and consistent literacy support.
• Is spending a significant amount of time on homework or tutoring with limited progress.
• Is becoming frustrated or anxious about the school day.
• Would benefit from learning alongside peers with similar learning profiles.

Our School's Approach

Why Choose HRS

If you're curious about HRS, we encourage you to connect with our admissions team. You can share a little about your child's learning profile and school experience, ask questions, and learn whether our school program aligns with what you're seeking for your child.

Families come to HRS at many stages in their journey. Some have a dyslexia diagnosis, some have an IEP for reading, writing, and/or math, and others are just beginning to notice that literacy skills are not developing as anticipated. You don't need a dyslexia diagnosis to start the conversation or apply.

Attending a parent tour is another great place to start. You'll see classrooms in action, learn more about our approach to teaching students with dyslexia and other language-based learning differences, and hear about the admissions process and next steps.

Wherever you are in your school exploration process, our admissions team is here to answer questions and support you along the way.

Ask Us a Question

Inquire & Register for a Parent Tour

Student Profile

While every family's educational journey is unique, most HRS students continue through 8th grade. As literacy skills become more automatic, students engage with increasingly rigorous academics while developing the executive functioning, independence, and self-advocacy skills that prepare them for success beyond HRS.

Our 8th grade year serves as an intentional bridge to high school, helping students better understand their learning profile, strengthen their self-advocacy skills, and transition with confidence.

Interested in learning more? Explore our Portrait of a Graduate to see the lasting outcomes we strive for in every student, and our Educational Approach and Curriculum & Instruction to learn more about the educational experience that helps students get there.

Hamlin Robinson School has a split schedule. The school hours for the 2026-2027 school year are below.

Lower School Hours
Monday - Friday 8:10am - 2:55pm

Middle School Hours
Monday - Friday 8:10am - 3:05pm

We offer aftercare options extending to 6:00pm.

Front Office Hours
Monday - Friday 7:30am - 4:00pm

If your student will be absent from school, a parent/guardian should contact the Front Office at 206.763.1167.

Our classroom teachers have teaching certificates, college, or master's degrees in education. In addition, all language arts teachers are required to have advanced training in a multi-sensory, structured, sequential approach to language instruction.

HRS faculty regularly engage in professional development programs that are strongly focused on exploration of all avenues of education for students with language-based learning differences.

Learn more about our educational approach and how our instruction is intentionally designed for students with language-based learning differences here. 

We believe that homework should be a time when students are able to practice skills learned in the classroom. Our goal is for homework to offer an opportunity for students to work independently and take responsibility throughout their academic career. We encourage communication with teachers surrounding any homework issues.

Student achievement is assessed in many ways. Teacher observations, standardized testing, and periodic quizzes and tests across disciplines are just a few tools for evaluation.

Progress reports are completed three times per year, and conferences are scheduled three times as well. Parents can request a conference at any time to discuss their child’s academic, social, and emotional growth.

Hamlin Robinson School works closely with families and students as they prepare for the transition into high school. Students matriculate to a wide range of educational institutions, including both public and independent schools, after graduating from Hamlin Robinson School.

Learn more about how we support students and their families in the transition to high school here. 

The first step in applying to HRS is to complete an inquiry form. Once we receive your inquiry, our admissions team will connect with you and invite you to schedule a parent tour.

After attending a tour, you'll receive access to the online application, where you'll complete application forms, submit supporting documents, and request teacher observations. Once your application is complete, our admissions team will carefully review your child's materials and contact you about next steps in the admissions process.

Ready to get started? Complete our inquiry form to begin the admissions process.

Yes! HRS offers extended day (afternoon care) until 6pm each school day. Afterschool programs rotate each trimester and include:

• Competitive sports teams
• Annual spring musical
• Dungeons and Dragons (DnD)
• Skateboarding
• Chess and Board Games
• and more! 

Beyond the Classroom

Afterschool Programs and Extended Day

Athletics

Yes! HRS runs a handful of buses to the greater Seattle area. The bus is one of many options families use, including the Judkins Park Light Rail station and carpools. 

Transportation Options

Yes! The Learning Center at HRS is our school's community outreach arm. It has a wealth of resources for students, their families, and educators. 

Learning Center at HRS

About Dyslexia