A Shared Commitment to Brehm’s Future
A $50,000 matching challenge from Dr. Rich Collins and Donna Collins
For more than four decades, Brehm Preparatory School has existed to meet students where they are — and help them move forward when traditional school is no longer working.This year, Dr. Rich Collins, Head of School, and Donna Collins, Director of Admissions, made a personal decision to invest directly in that mission. Together, they are contributing $50,000 to the Brehm Foundation — and inviting the Brehm community to join them by matching their commitment.
Why We’re Doing This
Dr. Collins has been part of Brehm since the early days in the 1980s. Over the years, he has witnessed firsthand how the right environment can change a student’s confidence, trajectory, and future.
“I’ve seen how this school changes lives, and I’ve never stopped believing in its mission. This felt like the right moment to give back — as a statement of belief in Brehm’s future.”
To ensure maximum impact, all funds raised through this challenge support one shared Foundation fund, with the option to direct your matching attribution to Donna or Rich.
Giving Where It’s Needed Most
All gifts in this campaign support one shared, undesignated Brehm Foundation fund. Undesignated giving allows Brehm to direct resources to the most urgent student needs at the time — quickly, responsibly, and strategically.
Respond to urgent student needs without delay
Strengthen academic and support programming
Support staffing, services, and emerging priorities
Steward donor funds wisely as needs shift
Donna Collins’ Message to Families
As Director of Admissions, Donna speaks with families every day who are searching for answers, clarity, and hope — and who need a school where their child is truly understood.
“Families come to Brehm looking for hope, clarity, and understanding. This gift is about keeping doors open — and making sure students and families can find support when they need it.”
How the Match Works
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Dr. Rich Collins and Donna Collins are contributing $25,000 each — $50,000 total
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Every gift made during this campaign is matched dollar-for-dollar, up to $50,000
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Donors can choose whether their gift is matched by Donna Collins or Dr. Rich Collins
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Donors can choose whether their gift is matched by Donna Collins or Dr. Rich Collins
Donate
Rich's Match
Choose Rich’s match to support flexible, undesignated giving — allowing Brehm to direct resources to the most urgent student needs as they arise.
Donate
Donna's Match
Choose Donna’s match to join her commitment to keeping doors open and supporting families who are searching for the right environment for their child.
Together, Let’s Explore if Brehm Is the Right Fit for Your Child
Connecting with a boarding school that understands your child's needs can be daunting.
Reach out to our team of experts to discover how Brehm stands apart, offering a secure and nurturing environment, fostering holistic growth and development.
English Department
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students in literature, writing, grammar, research, and technology integration. To deliver a standard-based curriculum, we provide the necessary accommodations and strategies. We address the foundational language skills when necessary to fill the learning holes and improve outcomes.
The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.
The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.
The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays.
The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.
The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:
- Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genres
- Understand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elements
- Evaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or context
- Use assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information (BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth, G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)
- Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writing
- Speak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topic
- Expand and refine vocabulary
- Engage in higher order thinking skills
- Reading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software
The English Department of Brehm Preparatory School provides individualized instruction for students with learning disabilities in literature, writing, grammar, technology integration, and reading remediation. The curriculum provides students with the skills necessary to become independent readers, writers, and thinkers in traditional and digital print. English teachers enable students to receive direct instruction regarding technologies and compensatory strategies that can aid them in information acquisition and comprehension improvement.The remedial courses are composed of three to five students who have demonstrated difficulty with reading fluency, word reading, vocabulary, comprehension, and writing skills. Instruction may include any of the following methodologies: Orton-Gillingham, Lindamood-Bell programs, and Language Circle resources to expand students’ phonemic awareness, fluency, and comprehension abilities. When necessary, this course moves at a slower pace while reading abridged texts. Writing activities are focused on teaching the writing process and strategy development.The modified courses are composed of five to six students that require direct instruction but provide more opportunities for independent performance of skills. Instruction consists mostly of group reading and independent reading depending on the individual student’s abilities and skill levels. This course moves at a moderate pace while reading a mixture of abridged and standard texts. Writing activities are performed at a guided practice level, often incorporating five paragraphs essays. The standard courses are composed of seven to eight students. The focus of these classes is to improve overall understanding of literary components and advance verbal and written expression. Instruction consists mostly of group reading with opportunities for independent reading and higher-order thinking skills. These courses move at an average pace, depending on individual skill levels, while reading standard texts. Writing activities are performed with prompts and opportunities for more independent essay writing.The English Department’s objectives for all classes include:Improve reading skills while reading a variety of literary genresUnderstand, analyze, synthesize, and assess literary elementsEvaluate literature in relation to historical perspectives and/or contextUse assistive technology and software to read, comprehend, organize, and present information
(BookShare, Keynote, iBooks, Grammarly, Speech-to-Text, Text-to-Speech, Quizlet, Storyboardthat.com, Photobooth,
G-Suite – Docs, Forms, Slides)Apply grammatical, spelling, and punctuation rules to writingSpeak and write clearly and concisely on a specified topicExpand and refine vocabulary Engage in higher order thinking skillsReading support and coaching through online software