SUPPORT SERVICES

Support Services

Support Services on the Lafayette campus include: Executive Function classes, Academic Support, Learning Center Language Arts instruction, Learning Center Math instruction, and before and after school tutoring.

Lower School Executive Function Classes

All students in grades kindergarten through 5 are supported by Executive Function (EF) classes, taught weekly for 30 minutes. EF Classes are taught collaboratively by the school’s learning specialist and the school counselor. The five-year EF curriculum includes: active listening, planning, organizing, advocacy skills, test taking skills, study skills and strategies. The focus and content of the lessons vary as students progress through the grades, matching the academic demands of each grade level. By the end of fifth grade, students have had instruction and practice in all the student skills they need to be successful independent learners in ESA’s middle school.

Before and After School Tutoring

Before- and after-school tutoring is available for individual students. Typically a student is identified by the classroom teacher or a parent referral. Often tutoring is the first service recommended for a student who is struggling. To initiate tutoring, parents may contact their child’s teacher or the Learning Specialist. It is strongly recommended that parents use a tutor selected by our Learning Specialist rather than one who might not be as familiar with the methodology and expectations of ESA Lower School’s program.

Academic Support

Academic Support is a contracted service designed to assist students with any or all of the following skills: general study skills and organization; individualized study strategies matched to personal learning styles; reading and vocabulary development; special assistance to students with learning differences. Services vary based on the individual needs of the student. Students meet, one-on-one, with their academic support teacher two days a week for one hour sessions in lieu of the student’s French class. Individual objectives are developed for each student in collaboration with the classroom teacher. To initiate Academic Support, parents may contact the classroom teacher or the Learning Specialist.

Learning Center

The ESA Learning Center is a contracted support service for students with a diagnosed learning difference. Entrance to the Learning Center requires educational testing that identifies average to above-average intelligence and learning difference that interferes with a child’s development of language skills. Students work with their Learning Center instructor in lieu of the regular classroom language arts block. Each class is ability grouped in a 1:4 teacher to student ratio. The Learning Center employs the Hill Center Language Arts program, a unique, research-