Academics

Learning Support

At Saint Andrew’s School, we provide our students the skills they need to inspire lives of honor, purpose, and possibility. We strive to create a dynamic and safe learning environment where each member of our community is respected and celebrated.

Helping to exceed academic expectations

We recognize that talented students may face academic challenges, and we want all our students to succeed in all facets of the school experience. We offer a strong support system tailored to the individual needs of students, with the ultimate goal of helping them meet our rigorous academic expectations.

Our approach regarding students with learning differences is based upon the belief that we should be sensitive to the neurodiversity of our students while maintaining high academic standards and expectations. Accommodations are available to students with a demonstrated need and are granted through careful review by the Student Support Team. Families of students who have a need for accommodations based on a diagnosed medical, mental health, or learning disability are encouraged to email our Divisional Learning Specialists to arrange a meeting.

Learning Support by Division

Lower School

The Lower School has two Learning Specialists who provide an academic intervention program for kindergarten though grade 2 through direct instruction in small groups in collaboration with the classroom teachers. Our focus is on early intervention in the early grades and students are identified for intervention groups based on regular benchmark testing combined with teacher observation. Academic support is provided to students in grades 3 through 5 who have documented disabilities and a demonstrated need for that support. Additionally, both learning specialists push-in to classrooms to support students within their regular classroom environment in pre-kindergarten through grade 5. Learning Specialists write accommodation plans, ensure that accommodations are being met, and work closely with teachers and administration to support students.

Middle School

The Middle School Learning Specialists provide support so that all learners can maximize their potential. Learning specialists maintain a full awareness of the academic program and provide support by reviewing key vocabulary and concepts or assisting students as they review course material. They also provide instruction in executive-functioning skills including organizational and planning strategies. There are varying ways students can receive academic support in the Middle School, including the scheduling of an Academic Support Period (ASP) built either into the participating student’s schedule during the school day or on designated days before or after school. Additional opportunities to receive academic support can be organized outside of class time or during the flexible advisory block, with tutoring services coordination also available. In order to seek academic support services, a student support meeting is required to review the student’s current psychoeducational evaluation and determine support needs. In order to initiate this process, parents are asked to submit an initial request and a copy of their child’s most recent psychoeducational evaluation to the Learning Support Team

Upper School

Academic Help

Saint Andrew’s School is proud of the services provided to students and families in support of the academic programs and the decision-making processes associated with a college preparatory curriculum.

Grade 9 Chair and College Counselors

The Grade 9 Chair and College Counselors serve as the first line of communication with parents and faculty about issues that affect the overall performance of each student. The Grade 9 Chair guides students through the freshman year. For sophomore year each student is assigned a College Counselor who functions as his/her primary contact for academic matters until graduation. In cooperation with the Head of the Upper School, the Grade Chairs help plan the best academic program of study for each student at these grade levels. The Grade Chairs plan co-curricular activities for the class. They also encourage class unity and a sense of community.

Extra Help

Extra Help during office hours is readily available for all students. Departments offer extra help before and after school throughout the week, and individual instructors are available during office hours or by appointment. Students on Academic Warning or Probation are required to attend Extra-Help Periods.

Learning Lab

The Learning Lab serves as a resource center for students in the Upper School. Students may seek support in areas such as study skills, organization, and time management. Services can be provided individually or in small groups. Interested students are encouraged to stop by the Learning Lab.

Math Lab

A valuable academic resource for students at Saint Andrew’s is the math lab. Staffed by math faculty, this lab is available to students all periods of the day. A student may go to the lab for a variety of reasons, including working on homework or preparing for a test. Although some students may be required to attend math lab, others will voluntarily attend because the work accomplished in math lab will help solidify and improve their math skills.

Writing Lab

The writing conference is a valuable academic resource for students at Saint Andrew’s. A student may be required by a teacher or may voluntarily take his/her essay to a writing conference for a review. Writing conferences, which are available each period during the day, are staffed by qualified English and Social Studies Department faculty and by students with advanced writing skills. The goal of the writing conference is to help each student improve his/her writing in any subject, including art, theology, science, mathematics, history, and English.

Meet the Team

Saint Andrew’s School has a team of specialists working to support students. Our Director of Learning Support oversees the Learning Support program PK-12. There are also learning specialists at each division working with teachers and students to meet the diverse needs of all of our students.