The Siena School Opens Second Campus in Oakton

by Anthony Ozdemir, Guest Writer

Siena School is a nearby option for Reston students with learning differences, especially dyslexia. Photo contributed by Siena School.

When The Siena School opened in Maryland in 2006, its mission was to serve students with learning differences—such as dyslexia and executive functioning challenges—by preparing them for success in college and life.

In 2021, the school opened a second campus in Oakton, serving grades 3–12 and drawing families from Reston and beyond. Its approach emphasizes smaller class sizes, individualized instruction, and a perspective that looks at dyslexia as a strength rather than a limitation.

That perspective is rooted in research as well as experience. The International Dyslexia Association estimates that 15–20% of people show signs of dyslexia, yet many are not identified until adulthood. A 2023 study found that 34% of students in Northern Virginia qualified as having a Specific Learning Disability. For many of those students, difficulty with reading, writing, and spelling can make traditional classrooms an uphill climb.

At Siena, dyslexia is framed differently. “We consider dyslexia a superpower,” said Jennifer Betts, Head of School at Siena’s Northern Virginia campus. “There is a lot of great evidence that dyslexia links to creative thinking and problem solving. It’s not a limitation; it’s a way of seeing the world that can become a strength when it’s understood and supported.”

Families echo that view. Reston parent Alicia Figueiredo described the impact the school has had on her daughter: “It’s not just a school—it’s a place where my daughter is learning to see her dyslexia as a superpower and how to wield it. For us, Siena isn’t a backup plan; it’s the best plan for her to thrive.”

Class sizes at Siena average 10:1 or smaller, compared with the 23:1 reported in Fairfax County public schools. Teachers work closely with students and families, which Betts says is key. “We have a school full of teachers who are really excited and passionate about this kind of teaching,” she said. “They are experts in their field, and they want to design environments where students can succeed.”

That environment includes college counseling, internships for high schoolers, assistive technology, arts and athletics, and community service. Siena also emphasizes school culture. Its “House Program” groups students into four houses to encourage teamwork, mentorship, and healthy competition—a nod, students like to joke, to Harry Potter’s Hogwarts.

Each October, Siena marks Dyslexia Awareness Month with its annual Siena Celebration. This year’s event, on Thursday, Oct. 16, will be the 20th. The evening recognizes contributions to both Siena and the broader field of dyslexia education. Past honorees of the school’s Cypress Leadership Award have included Olympic sprinter Noah Lyles and bestselling author Rick Riordan.

For students and families who often feel that traditional classrooms don’t quite fit, Siena offers a different model, one where learning differences are seen as part of a wider range of human strengths.