David Program Brochure 2017-2018

STATUE OF SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE La Salle College High School – The David Program

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THE DAVID PROGRAM AT LA SALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL is an academic support service for students with specific learning needs. The David Program serves a unique group of college bound students with documented mild learning differences in reading, writing and math, and/or attention issues, organizational difficulties, or memory processing problems. The students have a scheduled 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.

“Have great respect for each person you are with. Know your students individually and be able to understand them. Inspire and lead through encouragement. You can perform miracles by touching the hearts of those entrusted to your care.”

SAINT JOHN BAPTIST DE LA SALLE 1651 – 1719 FOUNDER OF THE INSTITUTE OF THE BROTHERS OF THE CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS PAT R O N S A I N T O F T E A C H E R S

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THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP EACH STUDENT UNDERSTAND HIS OWN LEARNING DIFFERENCE AND STYLE. IN ADDITION, THE LEARNING SPECIALISTS PROVIDE REMEDIATION AND COMPENSATORY STRATEGIES TO HELP THE STUDENT BECOME AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER. The David Program, inspired by the educational vision

The David Program continues to search for methods to

of Saint John Baptist de La Salle, provides a challenging and

meet each student’s personal needs. Today, some students

nurturing environment for learning. In this tradition, and

with language processing difficulties use assistive technology

in conjunction with the greater Lasallian community, the

such as text-to-speech, audio books, or other options to

staff of the David Program empowers each student to accept

help with reading.

responsibility for his own learning and to achieve his fullest potential. Students are encouraged to contribute their unique talents and perspectives to benefit the 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 David Program strives to teach students how they learn most effectively.

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. ”The David Program was instrumental for our two sons, who have very distinctive learning differences that seemed insurmountable during their previous education. Their Learning Specialist in the David Program along with all of the staff at La Salle, recognized the potential in our sons and facilitated their learning accordingly. We are grateful that this program was available to promote their education and prepare

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them for college.”

THERESA MCINTOSH, MOTHER OF COLIN ’11 AND IAN ’15

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La Salle College High School has a long tradition of

students with learning disabilities. Through his vision,

educating and guiding young men of various abilities

in September 2002, a program to meet the needs of students

and backgrounds in a challenging and nurturing

with mild learning disabilities called the David Program

environment. The David Program continues Saint John

was launched.

Baptist de La Salle’s legacy of touching the minds and hearts of students by providing adaptive study strategies, and an understanding of academic strengths and weaknesses to increase the student’s sense of self-worth.

Named after two of La Salle College High School’s motivational educators, Brother David Albert, FSC and Mr. David Diehl ’55, The David Program provides a daily class period for a selected number of college bound students with a mild learning difference. Through a

Following the footsteps of Saint La Salle, Brother Rene

seriousness of purpose, consistent effort, understanding

Sterner, FSC, President Emeritus, wanted to introduce a

and acceptance of a boy’s individual learning style,

program to enhance the academic support given to

strengths, and adapted strategies, a student with a learning

students with documented learning differences. Brother Rene

difference can grow towards self-advocacy and

knew there are lots of individuals who are very intelligent,

academic success.

creative, and industrious but who learn differently.

BROTHER

He wanted capable young men with problems like dyslexia

D AV I D A L B E R T, F S C

and other learning disabilities to know that they can succeed. He noted that all college and universities, even Ivy League schools, provide accommodations for

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M R . D AV I D D I E H L ’ 5 5

One David Program student remarked…

”

Saint La Salle would like the David Program

Saint La Salle looked into the core of the individual and was a hands-on teacher. He advocated the use of practical, easy to implement teaching methods. He believed

because even though he was the promoter of

students should be taught in their native language instead

teaching a full classroom of students,

of Latin, as was the custom in the 1600s.

he never lost sight of the individual student’s

Saint La Salle listened to people, saw needs, felt compassion,

”

needs. The David Program addresses the individual learning styles of students.

and prayed to the Spirit for guidance. He used every resource to gain assistance. Saint La Salle believed in the intellectual and gentlemanly potential of boys of all classes and backgrounds. He believed in the worth of each of these young men and used insight and adaptability to find success. Saint La Salle believed a man should always be growing, maturing, and developing. Through the David Program, students learn that challenges can be exciting and that if they focus and stay on course nothing is beyond their capacity. The David Program strives to inspire, affirm and empower young men to discover their God-given potential and to realize that life is an amazing journey.

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WHAT’S IT LIKE TO BE A

Freshman

“Regardless of the situation, there is always someone at La Salle to help you or talk to you.

If you are struggling in a class then ask someone for help as there are plenty or people who can and will help. Even if you think you are not doing well, keep working hard as it will pay off in the end.”

JACK DAVID HEINEMAN ’20 ABINGTON, PENNSYLVANIA ABINGTON JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

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TYPICAL DAY

SCHEDULE

ACTIVITIES

My day at La Salle starts with my mom taking me and my friends who

Homeroom 7A

• JV Soccer

live in my neighborhood to school. Then I will go to my locker and head

1st Period

English 1

• Freshman Baseball

2nd Period

Academic Support

• Branch-Out Day

Mrs. Jeffries who helps me with my class notes and makes sure I

3rd Period

Lunch

• Investment Club

am studying and working hard. When my school day is over I go to the

4th Period

Integrated Science

locker room and either get changed for soccer or baseball and if I

5th Period

Religion

do not have anything to do for that day I will either go to the fitness

6th Period

World Civilizations

7th Period

Algebra 1

8th Period

Information Sciences and Technology

to the library to do some studying and work for the classes I have that day. I am scheduled for the David Center for second period with

center and lift weights or go to the library and study.

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T H E D AV I D C E N T E R >

RENDERING OF THE GLASER CENTER (NEW STUDENT CENTER) 15,344 SQUARE FOOT DINING HALL La Salle College High School – The DavidASSEMBLY Program AND

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AREA

OPENED SEPTEMBER OF 2017

>

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

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:

High School. There is no modification to the curriculum and the

A. Interview with the Director of the David Program

only accommodation that is guaranteed is extended time with

B. Recent (within two years) psycho-educational or

the appropriate documentation.

neuropsychological evaluation.

The David Program, although not a mandatory four-year program,

8th Grade students who may qualify for extended time on the Scholarship

is seen as a four-year process of growth. Students develop compensatory

and Entrance Exam are asked to submit all appropriate documentation

strategies, identify their learning styles, master academic tasks,

at least two weeks prior to the exam date to the Director of Admissions and

and internalize learned strategies. The ratio of students to educators

to the Director of the David Program.

is 2:1 during the academic support period. The students, with their Learning Specialist, will use the curriculum as the focus on Metacognition (awareness of how one thinks), Academic Achievement, Self-Advocacy, and Personal Reflection. The David Program is available for an additional fee with limited openings each year.

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TUITION AND FEES Tuition for the 2017-2018 school year is $22,400. Tuition for the David Program is an additional $9,120. Tuition increases 3% to 3.5% in an average year.

STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT David Program students

David Program students were

David Program students were members in a number of

participated in a variety of

members of sixteen different

clubs and activities including:

service activities including:

athletic teams including:

Art Club

Building Bridges of Solidarity

Baseball

Chess Club

(Bolivia)

Basketball Soccer

Chorus

Elder Share

Bowling Swimming

Cooking Club

Music Program (all levels including the Competition Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and members of the award-winning Jazz Band)

Homeless Outreach

Crew

Drama and Musical Theatre

Respect Life Club

Junior Urban Challenge

Cross Country Track and Field

Fencing

Robotics

La Salle Academy Tutoring

Football Volleyball

Film Club

Ski Club

Philadelphia Urban Immersion

Golf

Gaming Club

SpeakUp

Saint Vincent’s Soup Kitchen

Hockey Wrestling

Global Studio Club

Speech and Debate

Sarnelli House

Lacrosse

Intramurals

Stage Crew Lighting

Lab Managers

Student Council

Summer Service Immersion Opportunities

Rugby

Tennis

Water Polo

Ultimate Frisbee

TechServe

WEXP

Triest House

“Although, it took me some time to understand how I learn and appre-

Visitation Tutoring

ciate the insights of the David Program, the program definitely helped me. I was also able to excel in music and the theatre and I am grateful for all that I accomplished and learned.”

COLIN O’MALLEY ’15 La Salle College High School – The David Program

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Wisterian (School Newspaper) World Language Club

Meet Matthew Vincent Shott ’16 North Wales, Pennsylvania M A R Y, M O T H E R O F T H E R E D E E M E R S C H O O L Coastal Carolina University

When Matt Shott arrived on campus as a freshman in September of 2012, he never envisioned that one day he would create a piece of art that would become a focal point of the school’s entrance; rather, he stood at that same entrance as a timid boy who was uncertain of what the future held.

Matt worked with Mrs. Lisa Agnew, his Learning Specialist in the David Program, on study and organizational skills, and to improve a grade point average (GPA) that reached 3.50. More importantly, he gained confidence that allowed him to mature and grow into an amazing young man ready to attend college in South Carolina.

In January of 2016, he began a project in his Advanced Ceramics class that would take would take over three months to complete. His piece, Building Foundations, would combine over 220 hand-crafted ceramic tiles into a mosaic that measures 44” wide x 38” high. Matt received a Blue Ribbon for “Body of Work” at the Art Exhibition in May of 2016 and the piece now hangs prominently outside the Main Office.

The mosaic chronicled Matt’s experience at La Salle and depicts places and moments that have helped to shape these formative years, namely the Art Studio and his Kairos retreat. The piece is a constant reminder of the La Salle community and Matt’s experience as part of it.

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STATISTICS FOR GRADUATES IN THE DAVID PROGRAM THE CLASSES OF 2006-2017 HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO OVER ONE HUNDRED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING: Albright College

Elizabethtown College

Lynchburg College

Rutgers University

University of Vermont

Alvernia College

Fairfield University

Lynn University

Sacred Heart University

Ursinus College

American University

Fordham University

Manhattan College

Slippery Rock College

Villanova University

Arcadia University

Franklin & Marshall College

Marist College

Saint Anselm College

Virginia Polytechnic Tech

Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania

Georgetown University

Marywood University

Saint Bonaventure University

Washington University

Gettysburg College

McDaniel University

Saint Joseph’s University

Washington and Jefferson College

Bridgewater College

Gwynedd-Mercy College

Merrimack College

Saint Mary’s College

West Chester University

Bucknell University

Hampton University

Monmouth University

West Virginia Wesleyan College

Cabrini College

Hofstra University

Catholic University of America

Holy Family University

Montgomery County Community College

Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Stevens Institute of Technology

Wilkes University

Chestnut Hill College

Immaculata University

Mount Saint Mary’s University

Susquehanna University

Widener University

Coastal Carolina University

Indiana University of Pennsylvania

Neumann University

Temple University

York College of Pennsylvania

College of Charleston

Iona College

Niagara University

University of Alabama

College of the Holy Cross

James Madison University

Northeastern University

University of Arizona

Curry College

Johnson and Wales University

Paul Smith’s College

University of Delaware

De Salles University

King’s College

Penn State University

University of Hartford

Dewison University

Kutztown University

Philadelphia University

Dickinson College

La Salle University

Quinnipiac University

University of Massachusetts (Amherst)

Duquesne University

Lehigh University

Rider University

University of Pittsburgh

Drexel University

Lock Haven University

Rochester Institute of Technology

University of Scranton

Drew University

Loyola University

Rosemont College

University of South Carolina

Rowan University

University of Tampa

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Western New England College

100% of the students who participated in The David Program for four years were accepted into a college or university.

DAVID PROGRAM STAFF Mr. John Keenan ’80

Mrs. Barbara Chesnik

Mr. Joseph Glacken

Director

Learning Specialist

Learning Specialist

B.A. Assumption College

B.A. Pennsylvania State University

B.S. Pennsylvania State University

M.Ed. Temple University

M.Ed. Chestnut Hill College

M.Ed. Bloomsburg State University

M.A. Saint Mary’s of Minnesota Ms. Lisa Agnew Learning Specialist B.A. Millersville University M.Ed. Arcadia University

Dr. Jessica Jefferis

Mr. Gerald Evans, Jr.

B.A. Boston College

Learning Specialist

M.Ed. Holy Family University

B.A. La Salle University

Ed.D. Gwynedd Mercy University

M.A. La Salle University M.S. Drexel University

“We could not have written a more perfect script for Matt’s time at La Salle. His first two years were not easy as he was challenged and worked harder than he ever did before; however, he discovered that there were new and different ways to learn and the David Program was helping him identify the tools that he needed. Lisa Agnew and the other learning specialists helped Matt understand he was smart and simply needed to learn a different way. After four years, Matt has learned those skills. He did the work and proved to himself that he can be successful. Matt was accepted into every university to which he applied and received a scholarship to his school of choice. He has the road map to be successful and it’s because of the talented people that make up the David Program. As a family we are eternally grateful for all that this institution has given us and we could not be more proud of our son.”

J O E A N D I L E A N A S H O T T, PA R E N T S O F M AT T ’ 1 6 La Salle College High School – The David Program

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La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham Avenue Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038 215 233 2911 phone 215 233 1418 fax keenanj@lschs.org www.lschs.org

“I do not explain, I explore.”

MARSHALL MCLUHAN 1911 – 1980 PROFESSOR, PHILOSOPHER, AND PUBLIC INTELLECTUAL FAT H E R O F C O M M U N I C AT I O N S M E D I A S T U D I E S

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