Fitting the School to the Student: Adapting to Individual Needs and Preparing for Life Beyond Lang

At The Lang School, our focus is not just on educating students, but on shaping an environment that truly fits their needs. Recognizing that twice-exceptional (2e) learners require a balance of challenge and support, Lang is committed to minimizing poor fit and maximizing student success. This commitment extends from the admissions process through to post-secondary preparation, ensuring that each student receives an education tailored to their unique strengths and challenges.

A Thoughtful Approach to Fit

We seek to enroll students who align with our philosophy and resources through a comprehensive admissions process. This process evaluates a student’s twice-exceptionality, academic profile, and social-emotional needs to determine whether we can provide the appropriate support. Identifying students who are well-aligned with our program is our highest priority. However, no admissions process can anticipate every challenge a student may face, and sometimes areas of misalignment only become apparent after enrollment. When this happens, Lang works with a family to assess the best path forward. This always begins with refining a student’s support plan, which, in most cases, results in better alignment between our program design and a student's needs. In a small number of cases where there is significant emerging misalignment, we work closely with families to identify alternative educational settings that may better meet the child’s evolving needs. In these cases, we prioritize the student's well-being, sometimes recommending specialized therapeutic schools, programs with a stronger focus on behavioral or sensory interventions, or academic environments that offer more targeted support.

A Balanced, Personalized Pedagogy

Lang’s educational philosophy shares similarities with other progressive schools that emphasize personalized learning and intrinsic motivation. However, Lang’s approach is more structured, particularly for students who need explicit guidance to develop executive functioning, self-regulation, and self-advocacy skills. When a student struggles with engagement, Lang employs compassionate, evidence-based strategies to meet them where they are. Teachers identify a student’s interests and strengths to foster motivation, collaborate with students to set achievable goals, and implement targeted interventions to address barriers such as anxiety or sensory challenges. The belief that all children can learn and grow, given the right environment and support, is at the heart of our philosophy.

Preparing Students for Life After Lang

Lang is dedicated to ensuring that students are well-prepared for their next steps, whether that means attending a four-year university, pursuing specialized training, or entering the workforce. While many students move on to traditional colleges, Lang also supports students exploring alternative pathways, including:

• Two-Year Programs: Offering foundational coursework or technical education for students who prefer a more gradual transition into higher education.

• Work-Based Programs: Providing hands-on learning experiences and skill development in specific fields.

• Gap Years and Transition Programs: Allowing time for personal growth, travel, or specialized interests before committing to a long-term academic or career path.

Lang’s individualized college counseling program helps students and families navigate the post-secondary planning process, ensuring that each student finds a path aligned with their aspirations and strengths. In addition to academic preparation, Lang prioritizes skill development in executive functioning, self-advocacy, and self-regulation—essential abilities for success in higher education and beyond. Cross-age mentoring and internship opportunities further enhance students’ readiness for the independence and collaboration required in college and the workforce.

The school also maintains strong connections with higher education institutions and provides comprehensive documentation of students’ strengths, challenges, and accommodations to ensure a smooth transition. By fostering academic rigor, personal growth, and self-awareness, Lang equips students not only for success at school but for a lifetime of learning and adaptation.

At its core, Lang’s approach is about fitting the school to the student rather than the other way around. By continually refining its support structures, embracing flexibility, and maintaining a deep commitment to student-centered education, Lang ensures that every student has the tools they need to thrive—both at Lang and beyond.