66,500 Square Feet: The New Scale of Vanderbilt's Dyslexia Initiative

The new facility occupies 66,500 square feet of space on Vanderbilt University's Peabody campus. The building was formally dedicated on Oct. 28 during a ribbon-cutting ceremony held on the front lawn. The event brought together university officials, educators, and families from across the country.

The Roberts Academy moved into this permanent location two months before the official dedication. Prior to this move, the institution operated from a temporary space for two years. The new structure is designed to house 30 specialized classrooms for dyslexia instruction. It also contains a Dyslexia Center where scholars will conduct research and provide professional development for teachers.

The academic population has expanded from its initial cohort. The school now serves 46 students in grades three through five. These learners commute from 27 different ZIP codes within the Middle Tennessee region. The academy maintains a 4:1 student-to-teacher ratio to ensure personalized instruction. The campus features a gymnasium, a library, an outdoor classroom, a music lab with individual keyboards, and a makerspace for three-dimensional problem solving.

Chancellor Daniel Diermeier described the facility as part of Vanderbilt's vision for the 21st century. He stated that groundbreaking discoveries should become forces for real impact in the world. Diermeier recognized Hal and Marjorie Hollis Roberts for their financial support and vision. The Roberts family chose Vanderbilt due to Peabody College of Education and Human Development's history in special education research.

Marjorie Roberts cited the challenges her three grandchildren faced with dyslexia as a primary motivation for the project. She noted that children often lose confidence without adequate support. Roberts said the academy offers a safe classroom environment with 12 students per class. She observed that students in this setting experience success and develop pride.

Camilla Benbow, Patricia and Rodes Hart Dean of Education and Human Development, emphasized the hands-on nature of the work. Benbow said the children are having their lives changed for the better. She noted that the skills they acquire will follow them into their next schools and throughout their lives. Kelly Madden, whose daughter Reni is a program coordinator at the academy, said the solutions for these students are tangible. She argued that students do not need to be fixed but need to be understood.

Jared Clodfelter, director of the Roberts Academy, stated that every aspect of the school is created with students in mind. He said the design supports students through the challenges of learning with dyslexia while helping them recognize their unique strengths. The ceremony concluded with the release of butterflies over the crowd of guests and faculty.