The Orton-Gillingham approach to teaching language-learning skills has been used successfully since first developed in the 1930's by Dr. Samuel Orton, a neurologist and Anna Gillingham, an educator. It has been extensively researched. It provides continuous, positive feedback and helps students become competent readers, writers and independent learners.

The Orton-Gillingham approach is language-based and success-oriented. The student is directly taught reading, handwriting, and written expression as one logical body of knowledge. This is done in daily, one-on-one sessions with a certified Orton-Gillingham therapeutic tutor. Learners move step by step from simple to more complex material in a sequential, logical manner that enables them to master important literacy skills. This comprehensive, multi-sensory approach to language instruction benefits all students.

Orton-Gillingham tutoring at James Cameron School takes place every school day. The students meet with their tutor daily, and the whole grade is scheduled for tutoring at the same time, so that students are not pulled out of class. These daily sessions build a relationship of trust and understanding between tutor and child.