From the News 40 web site:

White Oak School Performance helps give students confidence

Posted: March 26, 2011 11:40 PM
Updated: March 27, 2011 07:44 AM

by Mike LaCrosse
WESTFIELD, Mass. (WGGB) -- One Westfield school is helping students embrace the spotlight and overcome challenges.

Students from The White Oak School in Westfield took to the stage Saturday night performing in the play "Arsenic and Old Lace."

Students worked extra hard on the timeless comedy classic despite some obstacles.

"The majority of kids at this school are dyslexic or have something along the lines of dyslexia," said Ashley Ripolone.

Ripolone is a senior at The White Oak School and an abc40 and FOX 6 Student of Character.
She was the lead in Saturday's play.

"This school White Oak has given me confidence to be able to you know stand up in front on an audience and talk in front of an audience," said Ripolone.

The school prides itself on smaller classes, development of language skills and building confidence.

"Our mission is to help these bright kids have choices that senior year of high school," said Susan Edgerly, Dean of Admissions, White Oak School.

85% to 95% of the students at the school move onto college because they've been given the chance to have their voices heard.

"Being able to ask questions and not feel you know self census about your learning disability," said Ripolone.

The school is one of only a few state approved private schools serving learning disabled students west of Boston.
To find out more check out their website: www.whiteoakschool.org.

Be sure to watch the video from the news cast too!

http://www.wggb.com/global/story.asp?s=1432888

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