Academic Support

The Eastside Catholic learning community is founded on the Touchstones of Academic Excellence, Relationships and Servant Leadership. Recognizing that students enter Eastside Catholic with varying levels of academic knowledge and learning styles, we provide students with an opportunity to develop learning strategies, content understanding and academic skills to reach their potential.

The Academic Resources Program (AR) offers support classes to Eastside Catholic High School students in a small group setting. Students often face new challenges in their courses at EC and additional tools and strategies to achieve their academic goals may be needed at any time during their journey. Students with an SAP have priority registration; however, AR classes are open to any student with a demonstrated interest, a recommendation from their school counselor or approval from the Director of Academic Resources.

All AR classes maintain similar procedures and provide training in executive functioning skills, study skills, test preparation and self-advocacy. Weekly lessons and targeted guided study time contribute to a student’s academic growth, and individual needs are addressed in regular student-teacher meetings. We aim to give students tools and teach systems that help them develop lifelong learning and thinking skills.

GRADES 6 - 8

English/Math Class (EMC)

Grade level(s): 6 - 8

Length: full year

Prerequisite(s): placement by recommendation

Other information: student placement in EMC is reviewed at the end of each school year; this course is taken in place of the world language class

English/Math Class (EMC) supports students with recognized learning gaps in English and/or mathematics. Using sequential materials that parallel the general education curriculum, EMC teachers may provide additional instruction, homework assistance or other aid to meet the needs of individual students. EMC students develop new English and math understanding within a small group and increase their potential for success in middle and high school. The EMC class is not designed to support individual and specific learning disabilities and does not or provide curricular modifications.

Study Skills (SOAR)

Grade level(s): 6 - 8

Prerequisite(s): students can select SOAR as an elective in sixth grade; placement may also be made by recommendation; 7th and 8th grade placement is by recommendation only.

Other Information: length of participation in program evaluated at semester based on student progress

This course is designed for students to build executive functioning skills such as organization, work completion and test-taking strategies. These strategies will help them reach their potential as a learner in all their classes both in and out of the classroom.

AR 9: Applied Strategic Learning

Executive functioning skills, study and test taking strategies, metacognitive awareness

Grade level(s): 9

Length/credit: semester/full year

Prerequisite(s): none

Other information: approval from a school counselor or the director of academic resources is required for enrollment

This course focuses on transitioning students into high school learning expectations. Planning, prioritizing, and organizing are executive function skills taught in this Academic Resources class. Study strategies focus on note taking, memory, and basic test-taking strategies. Self-reflection and communication with teachers lay the foundation for building self-advocacy skills required of Eastside Catholic students. The AR teacher is an academic coach and supports all core classes.

AR 10: Cognitive Connections - Executive Function

Executive functioning skills, active study methods, test prep and self-advocacy

Grade level(s): 10

Length/credit: semester/full year

Prerequisite(s): none

Other information: approval from a school counselor or the director of academic resources is required for enrollment

This course expands on the learning strategies and executive function skills in AR9 as students build a learning toolkit of active study methods and test preparation strategies. Students will develop a clear understanding of their personal learning strengths and needs and discover how self-advocacy can support their success. Skills practiced in this class help students prepare for the rigor of their junior year. The AR teacher is an academic coach and supports all core classes.

AR 11: Systems for Success

Systems-oriented thinking, habit formation and test preparation for larger exams

Grade level(s): 11

Length/credit: semester/full year

Prerequisite(s): none

Other information: approval from a school counselor or the director of academic resources is required for enrollment

Systems oriented thinking is about a commitment to continuous improvement and personal success. AR 11 teaches students how to build ‘systems’ to combat procrastination, prepare for exams, establish good habits and achieve goals inside and outside the classroom. Habit formation is the focus of second semester while students expand their systems to independently manage a multitude of commitments common during junior year. The AR teacher functions as an academic coach and support for all core classes.

AR 12: Advanced EF Applications

College Preparation, time management, cognitive flexibility and life skills

Grade level(s): 12

Length/credit: semester/full year

Prerequisite(s): none

Homework: on average, one project-based assignment per quarter; other lessons can be completed with the class

Other information: approval from a school counselor or the director of academic resources is required for enrollment

Students begin the year learning to balance senior year academics with work on college applications as students build time management skills. This course highlights the practical application of executive function skills using project-based life skills lessons that students help design. The second semester emphasizes decision-making and motivation. Students with SAPs will receive a copy for their records and learn about accommodations in higher education. The AR teacher is an academic coach and supports all core classes.

Academic Skills Lab 11/12

STEM support and study skills

Grade level(s): 11/12

Length/credit: semester/full year

Prerequisite(s): none

Homework: none

Other information: this class does not provide academic coaching or provide support for all core classes; approval from a school counselor or the director of academic resources is required for enrollment

Students work with the instructor to assess their academic skills and develop an academic success plan for their math and science classes. Students are expected to participate in study skills training, work within a structured, collaborative environment and focus on designated assignments and test preparation directed by the instructor. The class supports EC math and science courses predominately and is a pass/fail class.

Algebra Support

Grade level(s): 9

Length/credit: full year/two elective credits

Prerequisite(s): students can elect to take Algebra Support; placement may also be made by teacher recommendation

Other information: must be taken concurrently with Algebra I; this course is graded on a pass/fail system and does not count toward the math graduation requirement; Algebra Support does not usually have outside work other than Algebra 1 homework

Eastside Catholic believes that algebraic competence is fundamental to high school and college math success. However, we recognize that not all students are ready to independently take on the rigors of a high school algebra course. This class is for students who need more individualized attention and this class uses sequential materials that parallel each student’s current mathematics course. Students in Algebra Support develop new math understandings, both individually and within small groups, increasing their potential for success in all future math courses.

Algebra I Fundamentals

Grade level(s): 9-10

Length/credit: full year/two math credits

Prerequisite(s): placement by recommendation

Other information: 1-2 hours of homework per week

The course sets high expectations for each learner and strives to allow every student to meet the same learning targets as the regular Algebra 1 course. The fundamentals course is organized around three guiding principles: smaller class size, adaptability to students’ needs and alternate assessment strategies. This class is intended for students who have documented struggles in math and have different learning needs. The smaller class size allows for additional one-on-one time with the teacher and has the flexibility to differentiate learning goals to maximize mathematical understanding and confidence for each student.

Geometry Fundamentals

Grade level(s): 9 - 11

Length/credit: full year/two math credits

Prerequisite(s): Algebra 1 or Algebra 1 Fundamentals; placement by teacher recommendation

Other information: about 1-2 hours of homework per week

The course sets high expectations for each learner and strives for every student to meet the same learning targets as the regular geometry course. The fundamentals course is organized around three guiding principles: smaller class size, adaptability to students’ needs and alternate assessment strategies. The class is intended for students with different learning needs who have documented struggles in math. The small class size allows for more oneon-one time with the teacher and has the flexibility to differentiate learning goals to maximize mathematical understanding and confidence for each student.

Algebra II Fundamentals

Grade level(s): 9 - 12

Length/credit: full year/two math credits

Prerequisite(s): Geometry or Geometry Fundamentals; placement by recommendation

Other information: 1-2 hours of homework per week

The course sets high expectations for each learner and strives for every student to meet the same learning targets as the regular Algebra II course. The fundamentals course is organized around three guiding principles: smaller class size, adaptability to students’ needs and alternate assessment strategies. The class is intended for students with different learning needs who have documented struggles in math. The small class size allows for more oneon-one time with the teacher and has the flexibility to differentiate learning goals to maximize mathematical understanding and confidence for each student.

English 9 Fundamentals

Grade level(s): 9

Length/credit: full year/two English credits

Prerequisite(s): none

Other information: this course requires approximately 1 hour of homework/reading per week

English 9 Fundamentals provides an academic foundation in writing and critical thinking that prepares students for success in future high school and college English courses. This course is designed to give students more personal attention and support to develop their reading and writing skills. The course will review fundamental reading strategies and comprehension skills while also working on grade-level standards to prepare students for success in English 10.