Do you have a question about life at Landmark, the admissions process, academics, the dress code, the food, Landmark's COVID-19 policy? This FAQ page has the answers!
COVID-19
Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Landmark School’s COVID-19 policies and protocols. You can also find a wealth of information about the reopening plan for the Elementary•Middle School and High School on their campus-specific reopening pages.
health and safety
Yes, but there will be opportunities for safe mask breaks during the day. Please refer to the Elementary•Middle School face-covering policy and the High School face-covering policy for details about mask usage.
No. Students are expected to get a COVID-19 test on their own if they have COVID-19 symptoms, have been in contact with anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19, or have traveled outside Massachusetts. See the Massachusetts Travel Order for more information.
Students, faculty, and staff will be expected to use MyMedBot each morning at home before they arrive on campus to conduct a daily health screening.
Read more about student preparedness and routines for health and safety.
Landmark School is strongly encouraging all students, faculty, and staff to get the COVID-19 vaccine as soon as it is available in order to contribute to the health and safety of the school community.
Yes. All students are required to get a flu vaccine by December 31, 2020, as mandated by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
If a student, faculty, or staff member has any of the possible COVID-19 symptoms, they must:
- Be tested and have a negative test result.
- Have an improvement in symptoms.
- AND be fever free for at least 24 hours without fever-reducing medications before returning to school.
- Or they may submit a letter from their doctor saying that their symptoms were related to an alternative diagnosis.
If a student, faculty, or staff member has COVID symptoms and chooses not to be tested, then they may return to school 10 days from the start of symptoms, as long as the symptoms have improved. They must be fever free without fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours before returning.
Read more about student preparedness and routines for health and safety.
If a student, faculty, or staff member tests positive for COVID-19, they must self-isolate for 10 days AND be fever free without any fever-reducing medications for at least 24 hours, have an improvement in symptoms, AND be cleared by the Department of Public Health.
Read more about student preparedness and routines for health and safety.
Landmark will make this difficult decision in a timely and thorough manner based on the state Department of Public Health guidelines, CDC regulations, and the careful decision making of our Emergency Response Team and the Board of Trustees. The health and safety of our community is our highest priority.
Yes. Landmark has made several major changes to its infrastructure on both the Elementary•Middle School and High School campuses to ensure the entire community is safe. Some of these modification include:
- Installing several ultra-violet light and ion filtration systems to many buildings on both campuses.
- Installing additional air handling systems that deliver a significant increase of fresh air into the air conditioning and heating systems.
- Air purifiers installed in strategic locations.
- All buildings are equipped with hand sanitizer dispensers prominently located and students will sanitize hands as they enter and exit each building.
- The use of CDC- and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-approved disinfecting products and will follow DESE guidance for frequency of cleaning.
Read details about the school’s preparedness.
Landmark has modified the campus to retrofit and repurpose spaces to help maintain six-foot physical distancing. Some of these modifications include:
- Designated entrances and exits for each building to avoid crossing traffic.
- One-way traffic through buildings or hallways.
- Floor markings to designate the direction of traffic flow.
- Removing extra furniture in buildings to maintain six-foot distancing in common areas.
- Rearranging classroom furniture to promote social distancing and improve airflow.
- Assigned seating in classrooms.
- Staggered dismissal of classes in classroom buildings.
- Additional signage posted around campus with reminders about proper hand-washing and hygiene, social distancing, face coverings, and other best practices for virus mitigation.
- Walking meetings and outdoor learning will be encouraged.
Read details about the school’s preparedness.
academics
Please reach out to your student’s academic advisor to discuss options.
Yes.
High School: The High School will resume its grading system. See page 18 of the Parent/Student Handbook for the grading policy.
EMS: Students will receive quarterly reports.
Yes, if a student has to stay home to quarantine but is asymptomatic, we expect that they will continue to attend classes remotely.
We will continue to provide extensive guidance counseling for all of our High School students regardless of whether school is in session in person or remote.
Students are not expected to attend class before 7 a.m. in their time zone and we will record classes and make the recordings available to affected students.
Yes. Including parents in our process is an essential component of the Landmark method and we will offer virtual parent conferences in the fall.
student life
High School: The academic day has not changed, but students are expected to leave campus at 3:13 p.m., at the end of eighth period. Take a look at the daily class schedule, as well as sample schedules for each of our programs.
No. To date, our schedules remain the same but we may have to make some slight modifications as the year unfolds. Take a look at our current schedules:
Yes. Our counseling teams on both campuses are available for one-on-one meetings, group sessions, and family support.
High School: We have relaxed the dress code for the 2020–2021 academic year.
EMS: The EMS dress code has not changed for the 2020–2021 academic year.
No. At this moment in time we have canceled any afterschool sports and activities as an additional mitigation strategy. If we have the opportunity to add activities safely, we certainly will.
At Landmark we have milkbreak in the middle of each morning to give students and faculty an opportunity to grab a snack, schedule meetings, and get some energy out to be more productive. Milkbreak, like everything else, will look a little different but carving out time for this break remains more important than ever.
Yes. At Landmark we have milkbreak in the middle of each morning on both the High School and Elementary•Middle School campuses to give students and faculty an opportunity to grab a snack, schedule meetings, and get some energy out to be more productive. Milkbreak, like everything else, will look a little different but carving out time for this break remains more important than ever.
The following sections pertain to our regular school policies, when we aren't making adjustments for the COVID-19 pandemic.
Admissions
The tuition for the school-year program at Landmark School is:
$62,500 for day students
$81,500 for residential students
Check back for the tuition for the Summer Program at Landmark School.
Learn about Landmark's financial aid program.
First, fill out an Inquire form. Then, complete the application and submit the required materials.
- Copies of Official School Records from the past two years, including: report cards, transcript, IEP/504, and Progress Reports if applicable
- Full WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) for students age 16 and under or Full WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) for students age 16 and older
- WIAT III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test) or Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement, version III or IV or other similar measures of academic achievement
- BASC-2 (Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children) or CBCL (Child Behavior Checklist) or other similar measures of psycho-social functioning
- References from teachers, principal, and physician
- Summary of counseling services form if applicable.
These forms are provided in the application.
- Full WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children) for students age 16 and under or Full WAIS-IV (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale) for students age 16 and older
- WIAT III (Wechsler Individual Achievement Test) or Woodcock Johnson Tests of Achievement, version III or IV or other similar measures of academic achievement
- BASC-2 (Behavioral Assessment Scale for Children) or CBCL (Child Behavior Checklist) or other similar measures of psycho-social functioning
- Speech-language evaluation, if one has been administered within the last three years
The capacity for each campus is as follows:
30 miles north of Boston
High School: Beverly, Mass.
Elementary•Middle School: Manchester, Mass.
Elementary•Middle School: 2–8
High School: 9–12
Landmark students have been diagnosed with a language-based learning disability (LBLD), including:
- dyslexia/reading disability
- disorder of written language
- expressive language disorder
- executive function weaknesses
- working memory and/or processing speed weaknesses
Landmark is not appropriate for students with Nonverbal Learning Disabilities (NVLD), Autism Spectrum Disorder/Asperger’s syndrome (ASD), Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD), Pervasive Developmental Disorder (PDD), or primary social/emotional/behavioral disorders.
Yes. Landmark School is a language-based program for students with dyslexia/specific reading disabilities, along with other language-based weaknesses, such as spelling/writing, expressive language, and executive function challenges.
Landmark students come from all over the U.S. and other nations. Read how Landmark supports international students.
Once a completed application is received and all the required application documents have been submitted, there will be a 4–6 week review process by the Admission Committee. After the review process, if the Admission Committee feels Landmark is likely to be an appropriate school program to meet your student’s learning needs, there will be a screening and interview appointment scheduled for the student. After that individual appointment, the family will be told if the child is accepted to Landmark School.
Yes, both the High School and the Elementary•Middle School offer Summer Programs. Read more about the Summer Programs at Landmark Elementary•Middle School and High School.
You should contact the registrar’s office at Landmark High School for copies of your transcripts.
Elementary•Middle School: 978-236-3110
High School: 978-236-3235
Paper files are destroyed seven years after a student leaves Landmark.
Academics
Class sizes on average are 6–8 students.
All the instruction at Landmark is highly individualized, due the nature of the school being a language-based program. Students are grouped in the various content/subject area classes based on their skill levels. All students at Landmark receive a daily 1:1 language-based tutorial for individualized remediation of literacy skills.
Elementary•Middle School: The Campus Director, Academic Dean, and department heads review testing and file information, placement exams, and reports from previous school years, including teacher recommendations. Ultimately, administrators and department heads place students in classes deemed to be the best fit for that child based on skill level, learning style, peer group, and age.
High School: Generally the Academic Dean, department heads, and academic advisors review testing and file information, placement exams, and reports from previous years, including teacher recommendations. Ultimately, administrators, department heads and academic advisors place students in classes deemed to be the best fit for that child based on skill level, learning style, peer group, and age.
Typically Elementary•Middle School students receive 45 minutes to one hour of homework each night, and High School students generally receive an hour-and-a-half a night as underclassman and two-three hours a night as an upperclassmen for their 11th and 12th grade years.
There are no foreign languages offered at Landmark School. American Sign Language is offered at the High School.
Elementary•Middle School: visual art, digital art, woodworking, small engine repair, practical arts, computer science, Kids Around the Globe, music, bike repair. Read details about each elective.
High School: visual arts, woodworking, auto mechanics, performing arts, technology, physical education
Ninety-four percent of Landmark School graduates attend college or pursue post-secondary education.
Elementary•Middle School: Students receive their class schedules on the second day of the program.
High School: Students receive their class schedules at the end of orientation period.
Elementary•Middle School: Academic advisors are assigned once the schedule is created. They will contact you within the first two weeks of school, and you can make arrangements to meet at that time.
High School: The normal procedure begins at the end of August when academic advisors return, review files, and make assignments. During the orientation process, you will be given the name of your child’s academic advisor. If you are unable to attend the orientation events, you can expect communication from your child’s academic advisor during the first two weeks of school. You should feel free to subsequently contact your child’s academic advisor at any time.
Conferences with teachers are scheduled twice each year, at Parents' Days held in the fall and spring. There are other less formal opportunities to meet at school events.
There are three main ways to get updates: reports, conferences, and from academic advisors. Reports are issued quarterly, conferences are scheduled on Parents' Days, and updates can be arranged through your child’s academic advisor on a routine basis as determined by the two of you.
We publish the EMS Academic Year Calendar or the HS Academic Year Calendar on our website.
Student Life
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Residential Program has been paused for the 2020–2021 academic year. You will find many of these FAQs useful and informative if you are considering our Residential Program for the 2021–2022 academic year.
There are nurses on staff at the Elementary•Middle and High School who can address minor illnesses and injuries, and there is a nearby doctor on call who can see students as required by the school nurse. In the event of a serious injury or illness requiring immediate medical attention Landmark School uses:
Beverly Hospital
85 Herrick Street
Beverly, MA 01915
Main Number: 978-922-3000; extension 2770, for Emergency Room
Elementary•Middle School: Typically, more than half of our students stay after school for activities. These range from interscholastic sports (e.g., soccer, basketball, track, baseball) to club activities (e.g., drama, bike club, games club, croquet club, art, wood shop) to special programs offered through outside vendors (e.g. fencing, KnowAtom science program). Read more about the EMS after-school program.
High School: Residents are required to participate in an after-school sports or activity program. Day students are welcome to and encouraged to participate as well. Beyond the athletic programs, we offer art, woodworking, weight lifting (on and off campus), yoga, auto mechanics, study hall, drama, dance, and technical theater (set design) on a consistent basis. At times we have offered mountain biking, bouldering, skate boarding, and skiing. These are examples of activities that have been offered to students; we can't guarantee that all of them will be offered every year.
Elementary•Middle School: Community service is not a requirement. We do have a Community Action Team with optional meetings during the school day and offerings for off-campus after-school field trips throughout the year.
High School: Community service is not a requirement for graduation. Landmark has a robust community service program that is offered as an after-school activity.
The Performing Arts Department at the High School puts on many performances throughout the year, including three theatrical performances that consist of two plays and a spring musical; a wide variety of musical performances that range from student-run coffee houses to choral and ensemble concerts; and an annual Evening of Dance recital, which features styles ranging from ballet and jazz to hip-hop and contemporary. All performances are backed up and produced by our Technical Theater Department, which engages students in everything from light and sound production to set design and construction. Read more about Landmark’s Performing Arts program.
Elementary•Middle School: There is a half-day of classes, with noon dismissal, for both fall and spring Parents' Days.
High School: There is no school on Parents' Days, but there are off-campus activities for residential students until 3 p.m.
Elementary•Middle School: 7:45 a.m. – 3 p.m.
High School: 7:50 a.m. – 3:13 p.m.
Elementary•Middle School: breakfast, milkbreak (snack), and lunch
High School: Weekdays: breakfast, milkbreak (snack), lunch, and dinner. Weekends: brunch and dinner.
No, all meals are included in tuition for both the High School and Elementary•Middle School.
Elementary•Middle School: Yes, academic advisors coordinate dietary accommodations.
High School: Yes, students and parents can work with the food services staff to make sure any dietary needs are met.
SAGE Dining Services, Landmark's food service provider, features a comprehensive program to accommodate students with food allergies. This includes a "serve it safe program, an online allergen filter, and online ingredient information. A team of registered dietitians goes through each menu, tagging ingredients for allergens and ensuring there is a variety of allergen-free options.
SAGE Dining Services provides the food at Landmark School. SAGE offers a variety of healthy, fresh, local food to students and staff. Each main meal includes at least two proteins, protein-rich vegetarian options, as well as several vegetables and a starch. A salad bar, soup station, and sandwiches are available at lunch and dinner.
SAGE features a comprehensive program to accommodate students with food allergies. This includes a "serve it safe program," an online allergen filter, and online ingredient information. A team of registered dietitians goes through each menu, tagging ingredients for allergens and ensuring there is a variety of allergen-free options.
Students can board at Landmark High School. The High School is a mix of day and boarding/residential students. Up to 160 students board at Landmark High School. Please refer to this list of what residential students should bring to school.
Boarding is not an option for Elementary•Middle School students.
Males and females are placed in separate residences. There are five residences for boys and two for girls. Read more about the residential houses.
Students can stay on the High School campus during the weekend. There are wide range of choices of activities and outings every weekend. Read more about Residential Life at Landmark.
Yes. Landmark’s chaplaincy addresses the spiritual and religious life our students.
There are dress codes at both the Elementary•Middle School and the High School
Learn about the EMS dress code.
At the High School, students must be in dress code during the academic day. Learn about the High School dress code.
Elementary•Middle School: The EMS campus nurse administers student medication with an accompanying physician order.
High School: The health center can distribute medications with parental permission.
High School students need money for expenses, such as allowances, spending money, and weekend activities. Each High School student is expected to have funds in their Student Bank. Learn how to make a deposit in the Student Bank.
Learn how parents can make a deposit in the Student Bank. Contact Jean Crane (978) 236-3274 or jcrane@landmarkschool.org for questions.
Elementary•Middle School: Call the main office: 978-236-3100
High School: Call the attendance line: (978) 236-3300
A variety of activities and outings is offered to students each weekend, including trips to museums in Boston, amusement parks, movies, laser tag, local beaches, community service projects, and more. Learn more about weekend activities.
Boarding students are required to participate in an after-school activity, which can sometimes extend into the early evening. After dinner, students have free time, study hall, clean up, and check in. Bedtime varies by level. Read more details about the daily schedule for residential students.
Yes. Each dorm/house at Landmark High School has a live-in houseparent(s) and several faculty members who staff each residence.
Landmark School does not provide bus transportation. However, the school offers transportation to and from the Beverly Depot MBTA Commuter Rail station in the morning for Elementary•Middle School students and in the morning and afternoon for High School students. The schedule is subject to change. Check the Newburyport/Rockport line schedule for delays and changes. You can also sign up for text alerts.
High School
North Station to Beverly Depot
Mornings: Train #101 Departs North Station at 6:39 a.m. arrives at Beverly Depot at 7:11 a.m.
Afternoons: Train #118 Departs Beverly Depot at 4:08 p.m. arrives at North Station at 4:45 p.m.
Newburyport to Beverly Depot
Mornings: Train #156 Departs Newburyport at 7:00 a.m. and arrives at Beverly Depot at 7:28 a.m.
Afternoons: Train #115 Departs Beverly Depot at 3:54 p.m. and arrives at 4:24 p.m.
Morning arrangements can be made by contacting Jean Crane: jcrane@landmarkschool.org. Students make afternoon arrangements are made through the Student Life office.
Elementary•Middle School
Morning only pick-ups at Beverly Depot. Please call or email Leslie Victorine for details and to schedule transportation: 978-236-3110 or lvictori@landmarkschool.org
There is no afternoon transportation to train stations.
Landmark School's Dining Menu can be found on the High School or EMS Hub Pages.
Watch the video's below for tips on how to navigate and make the most of both the website dining menu as well as the Touch of SAGE mobile phone app.
Elementary•Middle School: The Lost and Found box is located in the main lobby.
High School: The Lost and Found box is located outside of the Student Life Office.
Yes. The Store is located on the first floor of Lopardo Lounge on the High School campus. Items sold include Landmark apparel (polo and button-down shirts, sweatshirts, sweatpants, hats, etc.), toiletries, and school supplies.
The online Store has a limited offering of merchandise that is expanding all the time. Check it out!
The hours of operation are:
Monday–Friday: Milkbreak 9:45–10:05 a.m. and Lunch roughly 12:00–1:30 p.m.
Sunday–Thursday: Free Time 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Packages should be sent to:
Landmark School
412 Hale Street
Prides Crossing, MA 01965
Please include your child’s name. There is no need to include the residence hall (dorm) name.
Athletics
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Landmark is not offering interscholastic athletics for fall 2020.
Elementary•Middle School: soccer, basketball, cross country, track, baseball, wrestling. Read more about athletics at EMS.
High School: soccer, cross country, golf, volleyball, basketball, wrestling, swimming, tennis, lacrosse, baseball, track and field, sailing. Read more about athletics at the High School.
Elementary•Middle School: No, students are not required to play a sport.
High School: Students are not required to participate in competitive athletics. However, there is a physical education requirement, but this can be satisfied in a number of ways.
Elementary•Middle School: No, any student who wants to play a sport makes the team.
High School: There are evaluations for JV and varsity teams. JV teams have a no-cut policy.
Elementary•Middle School students compete against:
- Brimmer and May
- Brookwood
- Convenant Christian Academy
- Fenn
- Glen Urqhart
- Lexington Christian Academy
- Park School
- Pike School
- Shore Country Day School
- Tower School
- Waldorf School at Moraine Farm
- Waring School
High School: Boys compete in the Eastern Independent League:
- Bancroft School
- Beaver Country Day School
- Berwick Academy
- Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall
- Concord Academy
- Dana Hall School
- Newton Country Day School
- Pingree School
- Portsmouth Abbey School
Girls compete in the Independent Girls Conference:
- Brimmer and May School
- Boston Trinity Academy
- Cambridge school of Weston
- Chapel Hill Chauncy Hall
- Covenant Christian Academy
- Gann Academy
- Montrose School
- Newman School
- Waring School
- Winsor School
No. Landmark provides uniforms and absorbs any costs for practice and competition space, as well as transportation.
Supporting Landmark
Donations to Landmark come in all forms and sizes. Options include cash, gifts of stock and securities, corporate matching gifts, planned gifts, and in-kind donations to be used for auctions and raffles. Read how you can support Landmark.
Your donation or gift provides faculty the tools and training needed to meet each student where they are in the learning process. It sustains and expands our academic and extracurricular programs and campuses to serve future generations of students.
The Landmark Fund is the cornerstone of the school’s fundraising activities. For more than 20 years, the Landmark Fund has provided immediate and flexible dollars where they are most needed. This bridges the gap between tuition income and the cost of running the school. In 2019-2020 the Landmark Fund provided nearly $1 million in direct support for Landmark’s students, faculty, and facilities.
Alumni are invited to a several events throughout the year. Visit out Alumni webpage for more details.
All current parents and guardians are automatically members of the Landmark Parents’ Association (LPA). The purpose of the LPA is to cultivate a strong sense of community and to support Landmark School in its mission to foster an understanding of language-based learning disabilities. The LPA often requests volunteers, donations, and ideas from the parent body and welcomes their ongoing support.
Because of Massachusetts mandated restrictions to large gatherings, Landmark School will not be hosting its traditional Homecoming celebration in October 2020. Alternatively, the virtual Landmark Cares week is September 28 - October 3 and features ways to honor Landmark School teachers, participate in a virtual 5K race, and so much more!
Wednesday, April 14, 2021
*More details of the event will be forthcoming and dependent on Massachusetts mandated guidelines regarding large gatherings.
Miscellaneous
Parents interested in carpooling should complete and return the Landmark Release form included in the registration forms or when you register online. You will receive a copy of the Directory via email periodically throughout the summer.
The Landmark Parents Association (LPA) is an active and engaged group of parents who develop programs to benefit the entire Landmark community. There are several ways to stay connected to your child’s Landmark experience, get involved, and meet other Landmark families. The LPA sponsors monthly meetings and events and produces an email newsletter.