What is Twice-Exceptional (2E)?
Twice-exceptional or 2E is a clunky term that describes students with exceptional academic abilities who also have a learning challenge. All humans are neurodiverse, meaning we each think and learn differently; however, twice-exceptional students have solid skills and very challenging academic deficits (dyslexia, dyscalculia, executive function issues, etc.). This duality can make the instructional environment fascinating for them and a place to fear. For example, a twice-exceptional student can be a math prodigy but have executive functioning troubles which cause her to struggle with organization. Thus this brilliant student requires the appropriate learning environment to support her academic prowess and also build her executive weaknesses. This is where Wye River Upper School steps in.
What Accommodations or Support Is Provided for Twice-Exceptional (2E) Students at WRUS?
They tend to be a bit inattentive and struggle in some form with writing or reading comprehension. Low self-esteem and poor peer relations are also attributes associated with 2E students. These outstanding 2E students populate Wye River Upper School. With our small class sizes and our involved and intensive one-on-one support, our 2E students thrive! 2E students can present a unique challenge in a classroom.
At WRUS, we meet these challenges head-on!
Our staff works with the students and their families to build the interpersonal skills necessary to succeed upon graduating. We intentionally design our academic and social programs to challenge students, not break them. We show our students how to appreciate their growth and not just focus on outcomes. In short, we meet them where they are and accompany them on the journey to where they want to be. With our personalized education plans, academic advisory periods, and ongoing student-staff-family communication our students are set up to succeed from day one.
50% of our graduates transition to college, and the other 50% go into a trade, the military, or straight to work. Our goal is to produce independent self-advocates that are productive and fruitful members of society.
Do you know an exceptional student who may thrive in our accommodating and supportive educational environment?
Resources
National Association for Gifted Children: Twice-Exceptional Students
ADDitude Magazine: What Does Twice-Exceptional Mean? Identifying and Nurturing Gifted Children with ADHD
Davidson Institute: The Goldilocks Question: How to Support your 2e Child and Get it “Just Right”
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