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Landmark East School

Canada, Wolfville

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The school at a glance
Instructs in English
Fees Fees not listed
Ages 8 - 18 years
Type Co-educational, Co-educational (boarding)
Opened 1979
Bus Service No
Academic offering
Curriculum Canadian Curriculum
Taught languages English
Typical class size 10
Strengths Sport, STEM, Visual and Creative Arts
Clubs Academic and Intellectual, Arts and Creative, Lifestyle and Wellbeing
Stages Elementary, Middle School, High School
Introduction

Landmark East School is a day and boarding school in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. It serves students aged 8 to 18 and follows the Nova Scotia Public School Curriculum with additional classes for learners with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and other differences. Class sizes are small: one to ten students overall, with elementary limited to six, middle to eight, and high school to ten. The program emphasizes explicit literacy instruction and executive function coaching, delivered by trained teachers using Orton-Gillingham, LiPs, Seeing Stars, and Cloud 9. Distinctive programs include SPARK daily movement, Successful Me, Oral Expression, and Social Emotional Learning, plus the Annual Science Fair and structured Study Hall. The Johnson Academic Centre houses classrooms, science labs, a library, dining hall, and offices; on-site dormitories provide housing. Students access Acadia University facilities and local sport venues. Landmark East Rotary Recreation Centre opens Fall 2026 with a gym and courts. Founded in 1979, graduates earn the Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma.

The Essentials

Landmark East School has typical class sizes of 10, instruction in English.

Location

708 Main Street, Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada (B4P 1G4). Wolfville is a small Atlantic Canadian town, and Landmark East School is about 1 hour 15 minutes from Halifax Stanfield International Airport by road.

Stages

Elementary (Grades 3–6); Middle School (Grades 7–9); High School (Grades 10–12)

Type

Day and boarding school

Additional learning support

Expert support for dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and other learning differences; small class sizes; literacy and mathematics instruction based on evidence-based approaches; teachers trained in Orton-Gillingham, LiPS, Seeing Stars, and Cloud 9.

Country affiliation

Canada

School day structure

Nova Scotia Public School Curriculum; Middle and High School students have a structured Study Hall after class. Weekday schedule includes 8:30 am–3:30 pm classes, with after-school study support and daily progressive routines.

Bus service

No school-provided bus service; travel is the responsibility of parents; the Student Life Director helps organize ground transportation to Halifax International Airport and Digby Ferry Terminal.
Diving Deeper

Boarding Arrangements

Boarding is available for students in Grade 7–12. The boarding community is intentionally small and supportive, with routines that mirror the classroom's specialized approach to learning differences. Boarding life includes private, spacious bedrooms with their own bathroom, a structured weekday routine with meals in the dining hall, study hall, and weekend activities exploring the Atlantic Canada region. Two overnight security guards supervise evenings, and families stay connected through open communication with staff.

Food Options

Meals are provided in the dining hall as part of the boarding program. There is a five-week rotating menu. Weekday routines include breakfast in the dining hall and shared supper/dinner.

Governance and Ownership

Landmark East is maintained and operated by Landmark East Association, a non-profit Society registered under the Nova Scotia Societies Act and a registered charity. The Association Board of Directors comprises alumni parents and community members and has between five and fourteen governors, with the Head of School as an ex-officio member; the Board oversees the school but remains removed from day-to-day operations. The Objects of the Society include establishing and carrying on a school to assist children and young adults with learning disabilities, educational and research programs, and owning property to support the Society's objects.
Fees
Application fees
- CAD 100 non-refundable application fee. Payment accepted by Interac e-Transfer (payments@landmarkeast.org), cash, Visa or MasterCard.

Tuition fees (by program / year group)
- Fees vary by Program of Study (Elementary Grades 3–6, Middle Grades 7–9, High School Grades 10–12) and are set according to the student's chosen program. Specific annual and per-term tuition amounts are provided as part of the school's formal fee schedule for each program.

Billing schedule and payment terms
- Deposit: CAD 2,000 due upon acceptance of an offer of admission.
- Payment timing: second payment due August 1; final payment due December 1. Monthly payment plans may be available (administration fee applies).
- Monthly statements are emailed to parents/guardians. Delinquent accounts may result in denial of class attendance or participation in fee-based activities and the school reserves the right to pursue recovery actions.

Boarding fees (where applicable)
- Landmark East operates a boarding program. Boarding fees are part of the program-specific fee schedule and are billed according to the school's fee schedule for the student's Program of Study. A valid credit card must be on file for each boarding student and boarding-related incidental charges are billed to that account or invoiced monthly.

Other costs and typical additional charges
- Items commonly billed in addition to tuition and boarding include: school activities (field trips, special events), school photos, art and production technology supplies, morning transportation service for day students, weekend activities for boarding students, personal care items and laundry supplies for boarding students, weekly allowance (for boarding students without a bank card). Lost, stolen, or damaged Chromebooks and textbooks are billed as personal expenses. Transportation charges for medical appointments outside the county may be billed to parents. Returned payment/item fees apply.

Refund information
- The CAD 100 application fee is explicitly non-refundable. Other refund and withdrawal terms (including any refundability of deposits, prorated tuition, or penalties) are governed by the school's enrolment and payment agreement and the published fee schedule for the student's Program of Study.

Fee payment options and related charges
- Accepted payment methods (Canadian dollars): Interac e-Transfer, Canadian cash, cheque or money order (a CAD 35 charge applies for any item returned by a financial institution), Visa and MasterCard, and bank transfer (details available from the Admissions/Business Office). Monthly statements are issued and a valid credit card is required on file for boarding students.

Discounts
- Family discount: 15% off the total fees for each additional sibling registered in the same academic year.
Academics

Landmark East School teaches Canadian Curriculum for students aged 8 to 18.

Curriculum

NS Curriculum. Landmark East School follows the Nova Scotia Public School Curriculum, with additional classes. Class Size: one to ten students; Elementary (grades 3–6) max 6; Middle (grades 7–9) max 8; High School (grades 10–12) max 10. The approach includes explicit, structured literacy instruction, direct teaching of executive function skills, and specially trained teachers who respond in the moment. Teachers are trained in Orton-Gillingham, LiPs, Seeing Stars, Cloud 9, and other literacy approaches. The program includes SPARK daily movement, Successful Me, Oral Expression, Social Emotional Learning, Annual Science Fair, and Study Hall. Graduates are awarded the Nova Scotia Department of Education High School Graduation Diploma.

Student Teacher Ratio

Class sizes range from 1 to 10 students; Elementary max 6; Middle max 8; High School max 10.

Higher Education Progression

85% of Landmark East School graduates are accepted into the post-secondary program of their choice, including colleges, universities, trades and specialized programs; 55% attend Community Colleges, 20% attend Universities, and 10% pursue Trades Certification.
Wellbeing

Social and Emotional Learning (SEL)

Landmark East School is for children with learning differences who need a school designed for how they learn. It is a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment with a compassionate professional team. For nearly 50 years, Landmark East has helped students with learning differences rediscover that they are capable. Small classes of 1 to 10 students allow explicit, structured literacy instruction, direct teaching of executive function skills, and specially trained teachers who respond in the moment. We begin by understanding how each student learns, then nurture and teach intentionally; when instruction matches the learner's needs, progress follows.

Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Landmark East School is a day and boarding school for students with learning differences, designed for how they learn. It offers small classes of 1 to 10 students and explicit, structured literacy instruction, as well as direct teaching of executive function skills. Specially trained teachers respond in the moment and provide individualized programming to rebuild foundational skills and confidence. The school serves students ages 8 to 19 (grades 3–12). Graduates have strong post-secondary outcomes, with 85% accepted into post-secondary education.
Parent Experience

History

Founded in 1979, Landmark East School is a day and boarding school in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, for children with learning differences. For nearly 50 years it has helped students rebuild foundational skills, restore confidence, and learn how they learn best.

Community

The school offers a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment with a compassionate professional team. The boarding program is a key part of the community. The school features student success stories and profiles through Our Stories and Success Stories, and hosts events such as an annual Science Fair Project.
Facilities

Facilities Overview

Landmark East School sits on five acres of land in Wolfville, Nova Scotia. The Johnson Academic Centre houses the academic classrooms, biology and chemistry laboratories, a library, a conference room, administrative offices, a dining hall, and a kitchen. The Boys' Dormitory and the Girls' Dormitory provide on-campus housing with dorm rooms and en-suite washrooms; the boys' dormitory includes a games room, television lounge, weight room, cardio room, and laundry, while the girls' dormitory includes a television lounge and a laundry room; art, music, and drama studios are located beneath the dormitory. Landmark East students benefit from community facilities in Wolfville, including Acadia University's gymnasium, squash and racquetball courts, weight room and skating rink; Landmark East students also have access to the Wolfville Curling Club; in winter, students ski and snowboard at Ski Martock. The Landmark East Rotary Recreation Centre is opening in Fall 2026 to support athletics, wellness, recreation, school celebrations, and community events; it will feature a regulation-size gymnasium with space for up to three basketball courts, three volleyball courts, four badminton courts, and four pickleball courts.

Sports Facilities

The Landmark East Rotary Recreation Centre will feature a regulation-size gymnasium with space for up to three basketball courts, three volleyball courts, four badminton courts, and four pickleball courts. It will support athletics, wellness programming, tournaments, community events, and school celebrations, and will serve as a gathering place for students and residents. The centre is designed to be flexible to accommodate multiple uses, providing opportunities for competition, skill development, fitness, and recreational play. It is also intended to be available for community use and facility rentals as construction progresses.

Academic Facilities

Johnson Academic Centre houses the academic classrooms, biology and chemistry laboratories, a library, a conference room, and administrative offices. The Centre also contains a dining hall and kitchen. The Johnson Academic Centre was named in recognition of the Theodore R. & Vivian M. Johnson Scholarship Foundation. Landmark East is situated on five acres in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, and the Johnson Academic Centre forms a core part of the campus academic environment.

Extra Curricular Facilities

Acadia University's recreational facilities are available to Landmark East students, including a gymnasium, squash and racquetball courts, a weight room, and skating rink. Students have access to the Wolfville Curling Club. In winter, students ski and snowboard at Ski Martock. Arts, music, and drama studios are located beneath the dormitory. The Annual Science Fair builds executive function skills, and some students are selected to participate in the Nova Scotia provincial science competition. The SPARK program provides daily cardio activity to improve focus and mood, and the Successful Me program supports self-awareness, perseverance, and resilience. Study Hall offers structured after-school time to develop independent study habits.
Extra-Curricular Activities

Academic & Intellectual

Landmark East follows the Nova Scotia Public School Curriculum, with additional classes tailored to learners with dyslexia, dyscalculia, ADHD, ASD, and other learning differences. Class sizes range from one to ten students, with Elementary grades 3–6 limited to six, Middle School grades 7–9 limited to eight, and High School grades 10–12 limited to ten. Explicit, structured literacy instruction is provided, and executive function skills are taught. 85% of Landmark East graduates attend post-secondary education.

Arts & Creative

Photography and animation are taught as part of the Communications Technology class. Students develop visual storytelling skills through photography and animation projects. Creative expression is integrated into the curriculum to support learners with learning differences. These projects are visible in classwork and student showcases.

Cultural & Language

Oral Expression develops listening, sentence formulation, pragmatics (social language), and understanding of word classes and semantic relationships. Social Emotional Learning is woven into the daily fabric of the program, helping students develop self-awareness, emotional regulation, perspective-taking, and communication skills. Small classes support social communication needs.

Social & Hobbies

Annual Science Fair builds executive functioning by guiding students through planning, creating, and interpreting data. Study Hall provides structured after-school time for organizing work, prioritizing tasks, and practicing independent study with teacher coaching. Oral Expression supports listening, sentence formulation, pragmatics, and semantic understanding. Social Emotional Learning is woven into daily instruction to build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence.

Leadership & Professional

Successful Me teaches self-awareness, perseverance, goal setting, and resilience to help students succeed, not just in academics but in life. These lessons are woven into classroom learning, co-curricular experiences, and daily interactions. The program helps students develop independence and a strong sense of capability.

Lifestyle & Wellbeing

SPARK provides daily cardio exercise and intentional physical activity, helping students arrive in class more focused and settled. Movement is preparation for learning, a principle supported by research on brain function. Social Emotional Learning is woven into daily instruction to foster self-awareness, emotional regulation, perspective-taking, and effective communication. These practices promote mood, focus, and overall well-being.
Admissions

Admissions

1. The Admissions Journey. The process starts with an initial call or meeting where the Admissions Team listens to the family and learns the child's story, strengths, and challenges. They discuss what Landmark East School can offer and whether it may be the right next step. The goal is to conduct a respectful, transparent and supportive process as the family makes a big decision. The school aims to determine fit and readiness in a collaborative, conversational manner.

2. Application. Families complete an application package, including the completed Student Application Form and supporting documents. A complete package includes a recent photograph, psychoeducational assessment (within 3 years), school reports from the past 2 years, confidential school reference letter, parent letter, student personal reflection, work samples, and any other relevant clinical reports. There is a non-refundable CAD 100 application fee. These materials help the school build a fuller picture of the learner to guide the next steps.

3. Visit—tour and talk. Families are invited to campus for a tour and a deeper conversation to experience the school and begin imagining the student as part of the community. The visit provides an opportunity to ask questions and observe how supports and routines align with the learner's needs. It helps both parties assess fit and what a day-in-the-life at Landmark East would look like for the student. The tour and discussion lay the groundwork for informed decision-making.

4. Experience Days. Experience Days are a meaningful part of the process. Day students typically attend for two days; boarding students typically stay for four to five days, often including a weekend. These days give the learner a lived sense of the school's rhythm, supports, and community. They also allow staff to observe the learner in real-time and tailor supports as needed. Experience Days matter for both the family and the school as part of understanding fit.

5. A conversation with the student and family. Following the Experience Days, a conversation with the student and family takes place to reflect, ask questions, and discuss readiness and what might be possible moving forward. This joint discussion helps clarify fit and next steps and ensures the family's voices are included in the decision.

6. Admissions decision and rolling admissions. The Admissions Team reviews all data collected and makes an admissions decision. If Landmark East School is the right fit and space is available, students may begin right away. With rolling admissions, the school is ready when the child is ready. Families are informed of the decision and the next steps.

Scholarships

The school offers a Student Bursary Program. A bursary is a monetary award applied to a student's tuition fee and is awarded to families who demonstrate genuine financial need; families are expected to contribute to the cost to the best extent they can. Bursary funds come from the Landmark East Foundation through donations and fundraising and the amount available varies year to year.

Bursary eligibility is described in the Bursary Application Process Explained, and bursary priority is based in part on residency. While the program aims to help meet financial need, it may not cover all of it; additional funding sources may be provided where possible. Applications can be made throughout the year, but funds are limited and reviews occur on a schedule; processing may take 2–4 weeks. Apple Financial Services processes the financial information for bursary consideration, and there is a separate application fee of CAD 135 payable to Apple Financial Services. Privacy protections apply to bursary information, and applicants may appeal bursary decisions if circumstances have changed or were not accurately represented.
School Events
The school has not added events