USC alum starts alternative school

USC alumna Gillian Barclay-Smith has been in education for 35 years. With experience across a variety of facets, she had become displeased with the “cookie cutter” style of teaching and learning in public schools and was motivated to found The Barclay School at Columbia College to inspire hope in children with learning differences that have not been able to receive a quality education in a public school.

With the help of her husband, USC sociology professor Patrick Barclay, she took a non-traditional approach when she opened a school in late July. Barclay-Smith has designed a school that welcomes all students, but is especially geared toward the education of those with learning difficulties such as dyslexia and attentional issues.    

Barclay-Smith has earned degrees from the University of Düsseldorf, Germany and USC. After teaching for 35 years and serving as principal for two years at a West Columbia school for students with learning differences, she had a new lease on education. 

Barclay-Smith left the Glenforest School to focus more time on writing children’s books. After being approached by parents of her former students and having the hope to “expand what people view as smart,” Barclay-Smith sprung into action.

She has a vested interest in her students because she too has dyslexia. Due to shortcomings in public schools and lack of proper avenues to explore individual styles of learning, opening the school and educating children with learning difficulties was inevitable for her. 

“Children learn differently, the disability lies within the system, not the child,” Barclay-Smith said.

Barclay-Smith chose the Parker House at Columbia College as the ideal place to create a conducive environment for her students. The house is filled with bright colored walls, one of which houses a mural that was painted by the students. The house consist of three other rooms that are designated for classrooms, a science room, computer room and a “Sherlock Holmes” inspired wood-paneled library. 

Just as unique as the setup of the house, is a typical morning at The Barclay School. A school day starts at around 9 a.m. Barclay-Smith greets the students and is accompanied by her chow-mix, Daisy.  Everyone nestles into the central room where a fire place is located. The students are able to sit and listen to her read to them while they enjoy a seasonal treat like hot chocolate which they had a hand in making.

The warm, loving aura that is created at the school assists Barclay-Smith in effectively achieving her teaching philosophy: If you lessen a child’s anxiety, learning is easier. 

Barclay-Smith focuses on a balanced curriculum and builds confidence in her students by allowing them to use projects, drawings and skits to show what they have learned. Thus, allowing her to incorporate new material and build on the children’s weaknesses.

Patrick Barclay teaches algebra to the students a few days out of the week. 

“Mastery is the key, not passing. There are no wrong answers when I teach, just learning experiences,” he said.

Barclay-Smith is also a big advocate of field trips. She plans as many field trips as possible and hosts many guests who are experts in different fields of the arts as a way to get each student to become an active participant in the world.

She and the students also incorporate daily activities such as walks after lunch with the dog, Daisy, updating their Web site so that parents can follow their progress and many other assorted activities.
Year-round schooling is also another unique aspect that the Barclay school possesses. 

“We are in school just as many days as traditional students; we just have more breaks that last a few weeks instead of having huge gaps. Many of my children have memory issues so it helps them retain the information without getting burnt out,” Barclay-Smith said.  

There are currently six students in attendance at The Barclay School. With a shoe-string budget, Barclay-Smith has managed to provide a wealth of knowledge and opportunities for these very talented students. She hopes to eventually be able to increase the number of students and provide outside funding to aid more parents in being able to afford the tuition.