St. Andrew's School RI: Learning Support Program Brochure

Learning Support Program

Belong Challenge Myself Find Balance

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Where I can...

Reach my Goals Find my Path Be Myself!

THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE “St. Andrew’s has allowed me to grow as a student and as an individual.

I have become very involved in the community, and I have worked with the learning support teachers to overcome my learning differences and develop the skills necessary to excel in college.”

St. Andrew’s Recent Graduate

A Transformative Experience Using an inclusive, co-teaching model, the Learning Support Program at St. Andrew’s is accessed by 30-35% of the student population. It is a vital component of our academic program and serves students in a variety of ways, allowing for individualization and growth. Our teachers work with students to identify their strengths and demonstrate different pathways to success.

Students learn to become effective self-advocates as they gain knowledge and understanding of their individual learning profiles.

As a result, self-esteem and self-confidence grow.

Is the Learning Support Program at St. Andrew’s the right fit for my student?

In our commitment to support your family, the admission process includes a thorough review of each candidate’s profile to determine if our program will best serve your child’s educational needs. All of our students are unique but many share similar qualities in their learning profiles. Our students possess average to above average cognitive abilities, which allow them to access our core academic programs.

Our Learning Support Program is designed to assist students with: > Executive function challenges > Reading and writing challenges

> Speech and language vulnerabilities

> Academic skill deficit

Students may have also received diagnoses of: > ADHD > Executive function deficit > Dyscalculia > ASD

> Language-based learning disability such as dyslexia and dysgraphia > School-related anxiety

Welcome!

“St. Andrew’s is a school where students are guided to discover themselves by trying new things, developing new learning strategies, and being embraced for who they are. The Chapin Tradition says it all—giving back through service, taking action in order to grow, and showing kindness wholeheartedly.”

Courtney Pierce Director of Learning Support

International Baccalaureate (IB) Open Access Curriculum As an authorized IB World School, we deliver instruction through this renowned, research-based curriculum framework offered at more than 5,000 schools in 150 countries. In our Open Access IB Middle Years Programme (grades 6-10) and IB Diploma Programme (grades 1112), all St. Andrew’s students participate in our tailored, inclusive IB education.

Why is the IB Curriculum well-suited for all learning profiles?

The IB curriculum is student-centered and provides a holistic approach to education.

Students develop fundamental learning skills that are used not only in a classroom setting, but in all areas of their lives.

With support from their teachers, students develop IB’s Approaches to Learning:

THINKING SKILLS

COMMUNICATION SKILLS

RESEARCH SKILLS

SELFMANAGEMENT SKILLS

SOCIAL SKILLS

Success is measured by how students apply their knowledge rather than a contentdriven approach to teaching, with the goal of developing core skills such as critical thinking, collaboration, and communication.

The IB curriculum focuses on thematic connections within the discipline, across the curriculum, and to the world around us. This promotes a deeper understanding of themes and ignites a passion for learning.

Value is placed on effort, curiosity, creativity, and nurturing a growth mindset.

All learning support students benefit from the following: Co-Teaching Model Students enrolled in our Learning Support Program take literature and mathematics courses that are co-taught by a content teacher and a learning support specialist.

Within this model, students are able to access the same full International Baccalaureate program as their peers while also receiving the differentiated instruction and strategies they need to achieve content mastery.

Advisory All students are placed with an advisor who connects with them daily and supports their overall well-being and experience at St. Andrew’s. Learning support students are paired with a learning support specialist and students with similar interests. The goal of the advisory program is to connect the school’s Chapin Tradition values of service, action, and inclusion to our academic and student life programs.

Academic Workshop Taught by a learning support specialist, Academic Workshop helps students improve their executive functioning and time management skills. Students learn effective strategies to increase their attention, organize their homework, and build confidence as learners in order to reduce stress and increase academic success.

Additional Support Services For students who need additional support beyond our main Learning Support Program, we offer the following services for an additional fee beyond the base learning support tuition.

> Orton-Gillingham and Wilson Language Program Reading Instruction > Speech and Language Services including Social Communication > Academic Tutorial

THE STUDENT PERSPECTIVE “At my previous school, I wasn’t the best at math or science. At St. Andrew’s, the way they teach is completely different. We don’t just sit in the classroom and get it right out of the book. In fact, sometimes we don’t use books at all. It’s more on the board with iPads, computers, or partner projects, so I’m never just doing my own thing; it feels like I’m with the whole classroom doing something together. And now I love math and science. They’re my favorite subjects.”

Upper Schooler

Serving Upper School students with complex learning needs, The Wolf Academy at St. Andrew’s is a highly specialized program for 5-10 students per grade, and offers both day and boarding options. The Wolf Academy employs the highly effective Immersion Model© developed by the Wolf School, a premier K-8 special education private school in Rhode Island.

The Immersion Model© utilizes a team of professionals—special education teacher, speech language pathologist, and occupational therapist—to blend students’ individual speech, language, learning, social, and occupational goals into a robust, personalized academic program. In addition, Wolf Academy students also access the dynamic curricular and extracurricular offerings, enrichments, and social opportunities of the St. Andrew’s School community.

Who does The Wolf Academy best serve?

Wolf Academy students have good academic and intellectual potential, but have had difficulty progressing in a traditional classroom due to multiple learning differences, including language processing and production challenges, difficulties with sensory regulation, and ineffective social communication.

Key Components of The Wolf Academy Advisory: Wolf Academy students gather

Provision of integrated services

each morning with speech and language and occupational therapists to prepare for the day ahead, with an emphasis on planning, social pragmatics, time management, and self-regulation.

including speech and language, occupational, executive functioning, and academic services.

Ongoing collaboration among faculty is

Standard St. Andrew’s content classes, co-taught content classes, and Wolf Academy content classes.

at the heart of instructional design.

International Baccalaureate (IB) content classes: Students engage in the

Fluid class offerings dependent on student strengths and needs:

Family partnership is integral to inquiry, action, and reflection process individualized program design. integral to every IB class. The Wolf Academy experience offers multiple IB pathways with Advising check-ins with a learning specialist three times each day. a balance of challenge and support.

Participation in extracurricular activities, and athletic and arts programming.

Residential Life At St. Andrew’s, learning extends beyond the classroom. Every student, whether they are a boarding or day student, learns how to become more independent in our intentionally small, nurturing residential community.

St. Andrew’s welcomes students from across the region and around the world to live on campus. The unique combination of boarding and day students gifts our community with a fresh global and local perspective that infuses our lessons, conversations, and daily life.

Our lively 24/7 culture complements our academic program, offering boarding and day students alike opportunities to explore their interests, develop passions, engage meaningfully with faculty and peers, and visit cultural and entertainment attractions.

A Home Away from Home Residential students are housed in one of four dorms on campus, which all include faculty residences, spacious common rooms, study spaces, laundry facilities, and kitchens. Most of our dorm rooms are doubles with a few triples and singles also available. Rooms are fully furnished and ready for our students to make them their own.

THE PARENT PERSPECTIVE “Far too often, the education system takes a deficit approach for students whose learning style does not fit the ‘norm.’

St. Andrew’s Learning Support Program is truly remarkable for celebrating that which makes every student unique, and ensuring that tailored support is available so that all learners are reaching their full potential.”

Parent of a Learning Support Student

Want to learn more about the full St. Andrew’s experience?

Visit standrews-ri.org to discover all of our opportunities in athletics, arts, activities, and more!

Come discover what you can do at St. Andrew’s!

Important Information ASSESSMENT AND EVALUATION INFORMATION NEEDED FOR CANDIDATE APPLICATION As we strive to meet the individual needs of each potential student, candidates for the Learning Support Program are evaluated based on their learning profile and the potential to thrive in our community. Current assessment information is key to understanding a student’s learning profile to determine programming and support needed in our learning environment. This information should include any group standardized testing a school district has completed. In addition, it is most helpful to have a current Psychoeducational Evaluation completed privately or through one’s school district.

This includes both cognitive and educational achievement assessment information.

Important Dates

We want to hear from you!

>> FEBRUARY 1

inquiry@standrews-ri.org 401.246.1230 | standrews-ri.org 63 Federal Road, Barrington, RI 02806

• Applications and support materials due • Financial aid application due

>> EARLY MARCH

• Admission decisions will be available

We seek to enroll students from a variety of backgrounds, whose unique perspectives enrich life at the school. The admission process at St. Andrew’s is designed to give students ample opportunities to learn about our programs and connect with current faculty and students.