YEAR IN REVIEW: Brehm Landmarks for School Year 2007 - 2008

Brehm celebrated our 25th Anniversary with a year long initiation of events and great accomplishments.

The following is taken directly from the 2007 - 2008 Annual Report (see cover at the left), which is being printed now, and will be handed out this weekend at Strategic Planning for parents:




Brehm partnered with International Dyslexia Research Foundation to be the mid-west host of Harvard Medical School’s 25th Anniversary of Brain Research on Dyslexia.

Eminent Psychiatrist, and author of “A Guide for Parents of Children with Learning Disabilities”, Dr. Larry Silver conducted a day long workshop on Learning Disabilities and Attention Deficit Disorders at Brehm.

After a great presentation, Brehm was selected to be the Apple Computers Beta site, to evaluate Apple’s new assistive technology. Staff training begins in the ‘08 - ‘09 school year and evaluation begins in ‘09 - ‘10.

Academically our students progressed as demonstrated on increased scores on standardized tests of achievement and rising ACT scores. 85% of the Brehm graduating class were accepted to colleges or art institutions with 10% transitioning to OPTIONS and 5% going to work training.

Parent weekends were full of fun activities including a carnival, fireworks, Alumni reunions, a formal dinner and many other celebrations. Our formal dinner hosted 450 participants with 30 plus alumni returning with their wives/husbands and children (Many alumni also joined us in Chicago at the LDA conference to reminisce).

Six of our student artists and graphic designers received regional awards.

Brehm robotics team “Megahurts” came in 18th place in the FIRST St. Louis regional FRC 2008 competition. And, it’s important to note that Brehm was the only LD school to compete.

The Brehm paint ball club won numerous events at the regional competition with 300 participants.

Brehm joined and participated in the private school basketball league and Brehm hosts both girls and boys team.

Strategic planning weekend saw the Board of Trustees, Brehm staff and eleven families participating in a very productive workshop that, among other items, set our objectives to continue our vision of becoming a research based organization in the next three years.

The year has also brought about the transition of leadership on the Board of Trustees. Col. Jim Graham chaired his last Board of Trustees meeting. Col. Graham has been a true leader at Brehm and we extend our deep appreciation to him and his wife Carol for their many years of deep dedication. Thankfully Col. Graham has agreed to Chair and revitalize the Brehm Foundation to build our endowment.

The faculty and staff continued to expand their expertise through training, personal commitment and dedication to our mission, which are the Brehm students we serve.