Student Health & Support Services

The Lower School strongly values the importance of the development of the whole child. Teachers work to meet children where they are developmentally and academically while acknowledging different learning styles. Lower School students are of an ideal age to begin to identify learning differences and needs. When teachers or parents/guardians have a question about a student’s progress, they begin a conversation with one another about the concern. Teachers and/or parents and guardians may find it necessary to gather further information about a child’s learning through observation by our Learning Specialists, or, for example, an evaluation for psychoeducational, speech and language, occupational therapy, or other needs. Costs for these evaluations are covered by parents.

When students need specific support, the learning specialists collaborate with students, teachers, and families to put in place appropriate accommodations and support. Student support might include working in the regular classroom setting, meeting one-on-one, or collaborating with outside professionals to help students develop strategies and approaches to learning that meet their educational needs.

Middle School is a transitional time for all students, and it includes a wide array of developmental stages. While the advisor serves as the point person for communication about a student’s overall academic performance, the learning specialist also works with parents, students, and teachers to provide strategies and accommodations for students who have formal evaluations on file.  In addition, the learning specialist works with students on a variety of situational concerns that may be transitional that require additional support in terms of organization, time management, and/or approaches to learning.

Teachers are every student’s primary resource. Students who need support are encouraged to set up meetings with their teachers outside of class. Beyond the teacher, the Upper School has Peer Tutoring Centers in Math, Science, World Language, as well as a Writing Center. These centers are advised by a departmental faculty member.  The Director of Student Support works with students in small groups as well as one on one settings to strengthen study skills, planning, and organizing academic work. They might also facilitate  peer tutoring or teacher meetings.  The Director of Student Support oversees the accommodation process for students in the Upper School which includes standardized testing.  A Learning Profile delineates the specific accommodations listed in a student’s current psycho-educational evaluation.  Examples of formal accommodations include:

• 50% Extended time

• Use of a calculator

• Use of a laptop for written assessments

• Audiobooks

• Taking tests in a less distracting setting

These Learning Profiles are confidentially shared with the student’s teachers and advisors.  The Director of Student Support works in partnership with the students and families to reasonably support students within the Upper School academic program.