The Nicholas Center for Learning
Seek Guidance. Find Support. Develop New Strategies.
The Nicholas Center (TNC) provides individualized academic, social, and emotional support that helps students with learning differences grow in confidence, develop their strengths, and thrive at Hill-Murray.
A Supportive Pathway for Neurodiverse Learners
The Nicholas Center for Learning (TNC), inspired by the life of Saint Nicholas and his legacy of serving children, provides individualized educational support for students’ intellectual, personal, social, and spiritual growth. Founded in 2012 through a generous $5.1 million gift, TNC now serves approximately 20% of Hill-Murray’s student body in grades 6–12. Students find a welcoming, structured environment where they can access tutoring, executive function coaching, counseling, and assessment—all under one roof.
The Nicholas Center exists to support neurodiverse learners whose brains process information in unique ways. Students may experience ADHD or executive functioning challenges, dyslexia or other language-based learning differences, dyscalculia, dysgraphia, autism-related learning needs, or anxiety that impacts school success. Many students have more than one diagnosis, so our team partners closely with families to design customized plans that meet each learner’s strengths, needs, and academic goals.
Through every conversation and intake meeting, we work with families to determine whether Hill-Murray and TNC are the right environment to support their child’s learning, growth, and overall well-being.
Our Mission
Be a thriving and dynamic community that delivers an innovative and personalized learning experience to inspire each student to use their talents to serve and make meaningful contributions to our world.
How We Support Students
Support at The Nicholas Center is fully integrated into the school day. Services include one-on-one tutoring, skill-building classes, strategic study labs, and access to mental-health and college-prep resources.
Tutoring & Academic Coaching
Classes & Strategic Study Labs
Whole-Student Support & Wellness
Assessments & Learning Profiles
Understanding how a student learns is essential to knowing how to support them. The Nicholas Center offers neuropsychological and learning assessments that provide a clear picture of each student’s strengths and challenges. These assessments typically include an interview plus formal testing in seven key areas:
Intellect
Reasoning, planning, thinking, and problem-solving
Academic Skills
Reading, math, and writing abilities needed for school success.
Language
Speaking, listening, phonological processing, and written language.
Memory
How students encode, store, and retrieve information.
Attention & Executive Function
Ability to focus, shift tasks, and manage impulses and actions.
Personality & Social-Emotional Functioning
Temperament, behavior, and emotional factors that shape how students interact with others and the world.
The goal of assessment is never to label a student, but to equip families, teachers, and the student themself with actionable insights and strategies.
Our Student-Centered Process
At The Nicholas Center, every student’s journey begins with understanding their unique strengths and needs. Our process is thoughtful, collaborative, and designed to ensure that students receive the right level of support at the right time.
“I cried after our Hill-Murray tour. I am so relieved that we found a place where she is truly thriving. She loves Hill-Murray, and we love her school. We couldn’t be more thankful for The Nicholas Center.”
— Melissa W., H-M Parent
Student Outcomes & Impact
Over the last three years, 92% of students who received services from The Nicholas Center matriculated to post-secondary experiences, with additional graduates choosing gap years for travel, work, or vocational exploration.
Enrollment in TNC services has grown significantly over time, reflecting both the growing need for neurodiverse support and the trust families place in Hill-Murray
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Summer School StudentsMeet The Nicholas Center Team
The Nicholas Center is led by a collaborative team of educators, specialists, and mental health professionals who share a mission of seeing, knowing, and supporting every student.
Molly Schauff
Literacy & Academic Coach
Educational Support Specialist
Start the conversation.
We’re here to help you explore whether The Nicholas Center is the right fit for your student.