The Learning Support Program at St. Michael’s
At St. Michael’s Country Day School we believe that learning differences are strengths and that neurodiversity benefits our entire campus. Through our learning support program, our goal is to support each and every student in a way that meets their individual needs, while keeping them fully integrated with the school’s program and community.
Eligibility for the Program
Students eligible for our The Learning Support Program may have one of the following diagnoses:
- Attention-Deficit Disorder / Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Executive Functioning Deficits
- Mild, Specific Learning Disorders (including dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia)
- Auditory Processing Disorder
- Other learning differences on a case by base basis
Students may enter the program upon initial enrollment in the school or may be referred to the program after already being enrolled.
St. Michael’s strives to meet the needs of students enrolled, but may not be the best fit for every child. We are not a therapeutic school, and cannot accommodate students whose needs are primarily behavioral or emotional.
What does support look like?
We recognize that each child is unique and will have a variety of strengths and areas for continued growth. Support will be tailored to each child based on their gifts and needs. This could include one or more of the following:
- In-class support from a learning specialist
- One on one support in Orton-Gillingham phonics instruction
- Small group instruction from a learning specialist, tutor, or reading specialist
- “Snack pack” or “lunch bunch” for social/ emotional support and skill building
- In-class accommodations to support regulation
- Executive function check-ins
- Comprehensive one on one or group reading and writing development
- Slight modifications to curriculum, providing additional scaffolding or extra challenge and enrichment
Built in Support for all St. Michael’s Students
Literacy Specialist
Our literacy specialist works with students throughout the school, as determined by teachers and faculty and provides critical guidance to our faculty in the teaching of reading. Support from the literacy specialist is included as part of the school’s tuition. Differentiated and Individualized Instruction – Meeting the needs of individuals begins in the classroom. Teachers at St. Michael’s strive to use a variety of techniques and teaching methods to engage every child in their class. Instruction is differentiated to meet the needs of a variety of learning styles and teachers work to know each student as an individual.
Other Support Opportunities at St. Michael’s
Speech and Language Therapy
If a child has speech needs, they can be seen at school through an IEP created and serviced through Newport Public Schools. The Dean of Students can assist families with this process.
Occupational Therapy
Students with needs that require the services of an Occupational Therapist can choose to work with our consulting therapist. This is done on a private pay basis or can be covered by certain insurances. The Dean of Students can help coordinate these sessions.
Tutoring
The school employs tutors to support the needs of students from time to time. Tutoring services are initiated through the teacher in consultation with the Dean of Students and come at an additional cost.
English Language Learner Services
For students who come to St. Michael’s with English as a second language, the school offers tutoring support at an additional cost.
For more information or if you have any questions, please contact Phil Tutino, Dean of Students, at ptutino@smcds.org.
