David Program Brochure

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David Program

La Salle College High School David Program 2

The David Program at La Salle College High School

The David Program, inspired by the educational vision of Saint John Baptist

is an academic support service for

de La Salle, provides a challenging and

students with specific learning needs.

nurturing environment for learning. In this

The David Program serves a unique

tradition, and in conjunction with the

group of college bound students with

greater Lasallian community, the staff of the

documented mild learning differences

David Program empowers each student to

in reading, writing and math, and/or

accept responsibility for his own learning

attention issues, organizational

and to achieve his fullest potential. Students

difficulties, or memory processing

are encouraged to contribute their unique

problems. The students have a scheduled

talents and perspectives to benefit the

period each day where they develop individualized strategies for academic success. Emphasis is placed on raising each student’s skill levels by focusing on problem-solving, organization, self-advocacy, and study habits.

entire school. An important component in each student’s success is the collaboration of David Program staff with other Lasallian faculty, parents, and the school administration. In keeping with Saint La Salle’s motto of “Enter to Learn,” the

The goal of the program is to help

David Program strives to teach students

each student understand his own

how they learn most effectively.

learning difference and style.

In addition, the learning specialists

The David Program continues to search

provide remediation and compensatory

for methods to meet each student’s

strategies to help the student become

personal needs. Today, some students with

an independent learner.

language processing difficulties use

assistive technology such as the Kindle’s text-to- speech option to help with reading.

“The David Program has helped me become the successful person I thought I could never have become. It has changed my life due to their help and the way they show it. They have shown how much they care about my success by being patient with me and showing me new methods to help me get a better grade. This has provided me with a good relationship with my teacher.”

Harry Bonet ’11

Students are encouraged to use technology to enhance and strengthen their learning repertoire. By using appropriate accommodations and adaptive strategies, students become aware of their invisible differences and are able to turn their weaknesses into strengths.

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La Salle College High School has a long

and adapted strategies, a student with a

tradition of educating and guiding young

learning difference can grow towards

men of various abilities and backgrounds

self-advocacy and academic success.

in a challenging and nurturing environment. The David Program continues

One David Program student remarked

Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s legacy

”Saint La Salle would like the David Program

of touching the minds and hearts of

because even though he was the promoter

students by providing adaptive study

of teaching a full classroom of students,

strategies, and an understanding of

he never lost sight of the individual student’s

academic strengths and weaknesses

needs. The David Program addresses the

to increase the students sense of

individual learning styles of students.”

self-worth.

Saint La Salle looked into the core of the Following the footsteps of Saint La Salle,

individual and was a hands-on teacher.

Brother Rene Sterner, FSC, President Emeritus,

He advocated the use of practical, easy to

wanted to introduce a program to enhance

implement teaching methods. He believed

the academic support given to students with

students should be taught in their native

documented learning differences. Brother

language instead of Latin, as was the

Rene knew there are lots of individuals who

custom in the 1600’s.

are very intelligent, creative, and industrious but who learn differently. He wanted capable

Saint La Salle listened to people, saw needs,

young men with problems like dyslexia and

felt compassion, and prayed to the Spirit

other learning disabilities to know that they

for guidance. He used every resource to gain

can succeed. He noted that all college and

assistance. St. La Salle believed in the

universities, even Ivy League schools, provide

intellectual and gentlemanly potential of

accommodations for students with learning

boys of all classes and backgrounds.

disabilities. Through his vision, in Septem-

He believed in the worth of each of these

ber 2002, a program to meet the needs of

young men and used insight and adaptabil-

students with mild learning disabilities called

ity to find success. Saint La Salle believed a

the David Program was launched.

man should always be growing, maturing, and developing. Through the David Program,

Named after two of La Salle College High

students learn that challenges can

School’s motivational educators, Brother

be exciting and that if they focus and stay on

David Albert, FSC and Mr. David Diehl ’55,

course nothing is beyond their capacity.

The David Program provides a daily class pe-

The David Program strives to inspire, affirm

riod for a selected number of college bound

and empower young men to discover their

students with a mild learning difference.

God-given potential and to realize that life

Through a seriousness of purpose, consistent

is an amazing journey.

effort,understanding and acceptance of a boy’s individual learning styles, strengths,

La Salle College High School David Program 4

“The David Program has meant a lot to me over the past four years. It helped my experience here at La Salle in a great way. The

counselors are very supportive and help their students to excel to their best.”

Seamus Morgan ’11

“There are no words to express our profound gratitude for the staff of the David Program.

I am happy to say that Malcom, with the

David Center’s assistance, exceeded all

our expectations. It is with great joy and pride that we are seeing him off to college and the next phase of his life. It is also with the greatest confidence that he knows who he is and how he can succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.”

Cheryl Nichols Parent of Malcom ’11

“Without5 the David Program, I don’t think I would be anywhere near where I am today. The David Program has not only taught me educational things like healthy work habits and how to keep organized but has also taught me to be comfortable with who I am, the struggles that I have and to meet problems head on.”

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“I just wanted to thank you for all the support and guidance you provided Andrew through the David Program. I can’t tell you how much he grew and matured academically.

He gained

so much confidence and self esteem during his years at La Salle. We are so grateful for the positive impact the David Program had on him.”

Betsy Whiteside Parent of Andrew ’11

La Salle College High School David Program 6

The David Program at La Salle College High School is an additional college preparatory academic support service for students with specific learning needs.

The program does not ensure success through the artificial manipulation of grades. Students who are part of the David Program are La Salle College High School students and have to meet the same academic requirements of La Salle College High School. There is no

ADMISSION PROCESS Students apply for admission into the David Program at the same time they apply for admission to La Salle College High School. In addition to the regular admissions process, the following is required for admission to the David Program: a. Interview with the Director of the David Program

modification to the curriculum and the

b. Recent (within two years)

only accommodation that is guaranteed

psycho-educational or

is extended time with the appropriate

neuropsychological evaluation.

documentation.

8th Grade students who may qualify for The David Program, although not a manda-

extended time on the Scholarship/Entrance

tory four-year program, is seen as a four-year

Exam are asked to submit all appropriate

process of growth. Students develop com-

documentation at least two weeks prior to

pensatory strategies, identify their learning

the exam date to the Director of Admissions

styles, master academic tasks, and internalize

and to the Director of the David Program.

learned strategies. The ratio of students to educators is 2:1 during the academic support

TUITION AND FEES

period. The students, with their Learning

Tuition at La Salle College High School

Specialist, will use the curriculum as the focus on Metacognition (awareness of how one thinks), Academic Achievement, SelfAdvocacy, and Personal Reflection. The David Program is available for an additional fee

for the 2011-2012 school year is $17,900 for Grades 9-11 and $18,300 for Grade 12. Tuition increases approximately 4% per year.

with limited openings each year. Financial aid

Tuition for the David Program is an

is available for qualified families.

additional $7,300 per year. Financial aid is available.

“The David Program has helped me organize my time and give me the strength and courage to advocate for myself. This process has been helpful with my transition each year to a new grade. The David Center has been a place where I can feel free to talk about my questions and concerns. They have helped me to visualize material so I can remember and maintain information.”

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STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT David Program Students participated in a

David Program Students were

variety of Service Activities including:

members in a number of Club and

Building Bridges of Solidarity – Bolivia

Activities including:

Junior Urban Challenge

Art Club

Student Kairos Leaders

Chess Club

Secret Santa

Chorus

La Salle Academy Tutoring

Drama and Musical Theatre

Philadelphia Urban Immersion

Stage Crew Lighting

Triest House

Film Club

Sarnelli House

Gaming Club

Saint Vincent’s Soup Kitchen

Intramurals

TechServe

Lab Managers

Summer Service Immersion Opportunities

Music Program (all levels including the Competition

David Program Students were members of sixteen different

Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and a member of the award-winning Jazz Band)

Athletic Teams including:

Respect Life Club

Baseball

Speech and Debate

Basketball

Bowling Crew

Ski Club

Cross Country

Football

Student Council

Golf

Hockey

WEXP

Lacrosse

Soccer

World Language Club

Swimming

Tennis

Wisterian

Track and Field

Water Polo

Wrestling

La Salle College High School David Program 8

STATISTICS FOR RECENT GRADUATES The Classes of 2006-2011 were accepted at over seventy different colleges and universities including: Albright College Alvernia College American University Arcadia University Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bridgewater College Cabrini College Catholic University of America Chestnut Hill College Curry College De Salle’s University Dickinson College Duquesne University Drexel University Drew University Elizabethtown College Fairfield University Fordham University Gwynedd-Mercy College Hofstra University Holy Cross College Holy Family University Immaculata University Indiana University of Pennsylvania Iona College Johnson and Wales University King’s College Kutztown University La Salle University Lehigh University Lock Haven University Lynchburg College Lynn University Manhattan College

Manor Junior College Marist College McDaniel University Merrimack College Monmouth University Montgomery County Community College Mount Saint Mary’s University Neumann University Niagara University Nichols College Northeastern University Paul Smith’s College Penn State University Philadelphia University Rider University Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University Slippery Rock College Saint Anselm College Saint Bonaventure University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Mary’s College Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Suffolk University Temple University University of Arizona University of Hartford University of Scranton University of Tampa Villanova University Washington University West Chester University West Virginia Wesleyan College Western New England College Widener University York College of Pennsylvania

DAVID PROGRAM STAFF Mr. John Keenan ’80 Director B.A. Assumption College M.Ed. Temple University Ms. Lisa Agnew Learning Specialist B.A. Millersville University M.Ed. Arcadia University Dr. JoAnn Cohen Learning Specialist B.S. Trenton State College M.M., M.Ed. Temple University Ph.D. Union Institute and University Mr. Gerald Evans, Jr. Learning Specialist B.A., M.A. La Salle University M.S. Drexel University Mr. Joseph Glacken Learning Specialist B.S. Pennsylvania State University M.Ed. Bloomsburg State University Mrs. Dorothy Marchese Learning Specialist B.A. Houghton College M.Ed. University of Rochester

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La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham Avenue Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038 215 402 4853 phone 215 233 1418 fax keenanj@lschs.org www.lschs.org