Dana was instrumental in helping our family find the appropriate placement in a private high school for our daughter, Leah. Dana is warm, kind and patient. She assisted Leah with mock interview questions and essay development as well as thorough test preparation. Because of her in-depth knowledge of the private schools in the area combined with her educational background, she was also able to answer our questions and direct us easily through the application process. As a result of Dana’s efforts, Leah was accepted into two private day schools and was able to choose the optimum environment for her academic and social needs. Leah is thriving in her choice of school. We could not have gone through this process as successfully without Dana’s wisdom and guidance. We are forever grateful to her!
Bea McKirgan Mahopac, NY
Dana found the perfect school for our son, Eric. As with all parents of a child with learning differences, we all have different stories to tell about the experiences we have gone through and many times they are quite painful to share. It was immediately clear that Dana understood what we had been through and knew what to do.
Eric was 13, almost 14, when we found Dana. She politely explained that we first needed a proper diagnosis and guided us to the right testing centers.
We happen to live in England and none of the professionals we had dealt with, and there were a lot, told us about all of the tests that were available to help us find out what Eric’s learning issues were. After 22 hours of testing and follow up meetings with each of the professionals, we had a diagnosis that finally made some sense.
We needed to find a boarding school in the New England area, by the start of the following school year, and our search was commencing in the late spring upon completion of formal testing. Dana arranged for us to see 5 boarding schools, offering varying degrees of learning support. As Eric’s diagnosis became clearer and clearer to us, we were immediately able to realize which school was the perfect fit.
Eric just started school this past September. We have a good feeling about our journey being on the right track now, thanks to Dana’s help and expertise. She was with us every step of the way and we could not have done this without her.
– Lynn Engelhardtsen, Surrey, England 2015
LynnSurrey, England
Dana began working with my daughter, Annie, when she was struggling in 1st grade; she was obviously a smart and happy girl who enjoyed school, but just could not get to grips with reading and writing. Our family had recently moved to the USA and we had no experience of the public school system. Dana was able to assist the whole family, educating my husband and me on the necessary processes, and helped us arrange an educational assessment for our daughter. This culminated in a meeting with the CSE and resulted in a classification for our daughter. Dana worked with Annie on a regular basis through 7th grade when she felt able to ‘fly solo,” knowing that Dana was always willing to meet with her for special consultations if she felt under pressure. Dana often liaised directly with Annie’s teachers to better help Annie with her homework and projects. She came to our regular CSE review meetings and was a welcome advocate at the table! Dana’s advice eased much of our stress and we have maintained a very good relationship with the school district throughout. Annie is now a freshman at high school and still applies the skills and rules that Dana taught her back in elementary school. She is a confident young lady who loves school and is looking forward to college. Dana gave her a lot of confidence in her skills and abilities and helped her work through her challenges whilst maintaining her self-esteem.
CatherineKatonah, NY
Dana is a knowledgeable, dedicated and resourceful professional. After sharing our frustration with Dana regarding our son’s behavior and academic challenges, she quickly identified resources and actions to pursue. Her guidance was extremely helpful particularly in identifying a diagnosis and treatment program.
At the beginning of third grade our son was reading at an early first grade level, despite being a very bright and articulate boy. Our meeting with his school and their traditional “pull-out” programs were ineffective. Dana guided us to Vision Therapy and after completing this program, he was able to read above his current grade level. He improved 5 reading levels during the third grade. More importantly, his self esteem grew tremendously.
Dana clearly and patiently explained the diagnostic information based upon his Psychoeducational Evaluation, the Visual Efficiency Skills Evaluation and the Visual Information Processing Assessment. In addition, Dana worked as an advocate for our family, acting as a liaison between home and school, assisting in our process to assure that he received appropriate accommodations and therapeutic interventions.
Dana is a truly gifted individual who possesses the skills, professionalism and positive approach that enables parents to find answers. We would highly recommend Dana’s services to anyone. Because of Dana, our son has transitioned to fourth grade socially, emotionally and academically. Now, each day brings new excitement, new discoveries, new learning for our son. He is filled with a sense of achievement that motivates him, and we couldn’t be happier.
RonaSan Francisco
Dana Stahl was a great help in the college search and application process. Because she had worked with my son providing academic support, she knew him well and was able to suggest schools that would be appropriate for him. Dana always advocated for him and was very caring and supportive through the application process, keeping him on track throughout and making sure every detail was taken care of. The result was his Early Decision acceptance at the school he most wanted to attend!
– Sarah Knox, Hastings-on-Hudson, New York
SarahHastings, NY
Having worked with Dana Stahl for several years, I have always been impressed by her advocacy for her students. Her background as a learning specialist has provided Dana with an understanding of the meaning of Psychoeducational and Neuropsychoeducational reports. She also has the ability to articulate these results in a clear and concise manner. All of this enables her to help students become successful and be placed in the right learning environment. As a member of the admissions team at The Hackley School, Dana was an invaluable resource.
RonEducational Consultant Katonah, NY
From the moment my family starting working with Dana, I knew she would find us an option for my Daughters High School career. Not only did she find one but, she found others as well. Dana is 5 star.
Pam
“Last year when our son was nearing his college graduation we began to feel anxious that he was about to enter the work force and had no idea what he wanted to do. We could tell that Ethan felt overwhelmed with what to do or where to start. When Dana suggested that Ethan take the Greenwood System Assessment and that it could help to narrow down his choices and possibly provide some direction, we were completely on board.
After completing the assessment, Dana and Ethan met to review the results. What it revealed helped shape many of his decisions and direction for the next few months.
Along with providing an idea of what types of positions he might be best suited for, it allowed him to identify where he might find the most career satisfaction. Almost immediately after their meeting he began looking for service year positions with AmeriCorps and shortly after that he found an interest in college advising. Within a few weeks he began applying and interviewing for college advising positions. Five months after graduation after being offered multiple jobs, he chose to accept a position with College Possible – Minnesota as a College Transition Coach.
Now several months into his new position, Ethan is happier than he’s ever been. He’s moved thousands of miles away from home. Has a wonderful social life. Has gained extensive work and personal skills and loves what he’s doing. In his own words, “I’ve never done anything as rewarding in my life!”.
We are so grateful to Dana for helping to kick start his career path. We cannot recommend her enough!”
Jeannie & Andrew Spiro
Jeannie
When your sophomore in college calls you in tears because she is failing several classes, and a professor tells her that she should probably switch majors (Accounting was not her thing even though she wanted it to be) , it is a heartbreaking moment.
I’m not even sure how I found College Success Plan – probably a lot of Google searches – but I was lucky enough to email Dana Stahl at the company. We had a call the next day and she put me in touch with Keli Clancy. Flash forward 2 years and my daughter – with Kelli’s ongoing help and guidance –is getting As and Bs; discovered that her criminal justice major could be used to help her to be a fantastic counselor, and got into the Graduate school program of her choice for counseling.
I couldn’t be happier with all of the support that Kelli Clancy and College Success Plan gave my daughter over the past 2 years.
Thank you so much!
RuthMichigan
About Dana
As a young child, I received inadequate treatment for my learning disability. It was not until I was ten years old that a proper assessment and an appropriate treatment plan were initiated. I was diagnosed as being dyslexic. Before I was tutored, I would close my eyes, see darkness and be unable to visually conceptualize any words. My reading difficulties particularly affected my academic performance, for I was unable to follow directions. Because of these learning disabilities, elementary school entailed frustrating and often terrifying experiences.
I know first hand what you and your child are going through. I also know that with appropriate intervention and parental guidance your children will blossom and reach their full academic and socio-emotional potential.
I have dedicated my professional career to helping families not be torn apart by the stress and fear of the unknown. As your educational consultant, I will be available to support you in helping your child feel and be successful.
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Dana Stahl M.Ed.
Educational Alternatives LLC.
40 Kensett Lane
Darien, CT 06820
914-907-9144
danaconsults@gmail.com