Our partnership with Landmark East is another example of the Foundation using its resources as a catalyst, both at the individual student level and within the partner organization. Our relationship with Landmark East began in 2000, when we granted $75,000 for scholarships to its students. Apart from eligibility for Landmark’s program, the only criterion for these scholarships was financial need. The next year, the Foundation increased its scholarship support to $150,000 and it has stayed at that annual level since.
Landmark East fits the Foundation’s mission to assist disabled students to obtain education. Since 1979 Landmark East has provided an essential service to students with learning disabilities. Its program focuses on intensive remedial intervention within a disciplined academic environment. The goal is to develop sound academic and social skills which enable students to cope successfully in future endeavors.
Landmark East maintains a 3:1 pupil/teacher ratio with a maximum of 8 students per class. Consultants and teachers work with each student to identify problems and to develop individualized strategies for effective learning. Landmark East’s methods and success have received national recognition in Canada. The school attracts students from several other countries, including the United States. Over 70% of Landmark East graduates go on to a course of post secondary study or training.
In 2004, the Foundation and Landmark East entered into a 6 year agreement designed to help Landmark East build a permanent scholarship endowment to provide assistance to learning disabled students in financial need. This year, in addition to scholarships, the Foundation granted a matching grant of $50,000 to an endowment.
Over the 5 years, the Foundation reduced its scholarship support and increased the availability of matching funds for the endowment. Upon the successful conclusion of the agreement in 2009, the scholarship endowment will exceed $1.5 million. What is even more significant, however, is that this agreement will help Landmark East to build its capacity for financial development, and thereby make it a more sustainable and independent institution.
In 2004, Landmark East honored the Foundation by naming its academic centre the “Johnson Academic Centre.”
Anyone seeking scholarship assistance at Landmark East School should contact Landmark East School directly at www.landmarkeast.org
