The Savannah Country Day School
Service Through Knowledge and Character
Academics
Learning Support Program
The Learning Support Program at Savannah Country Day is designed to support students with diagnosed learning differences achieve success. Continuing on the mission of Nina Pape to "educate the whole child," the Learning Support Team works to provide a continuum of support for students in Junior Kindergarten through 12th grade, families, colleagues, and the community.
Differentiated levels of instruction and support are available, including comprehensive academic resources and extensive guidance for students, parents and faculty. The focus is on helping students successfully navigate Country Day's curricular expectations and maximize academic potential. The underlying goal of the Learning Support Program is to prepare students to become successful, independent, life-long learners.
Students in the program follow the academic curriculum and requirements of Savannah Country Day School. A formal Learning Profile is created to reflect the needs of each student, which may include:
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Executive function skills including study techniques and time management
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Understanding learning style
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Developing pro advocacy skills
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Extended time on quizzes, tests and exams
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Private testing environment
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Preferential seating
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Repeating directions/Assessing for understanding
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Computer use for note-taking, written assignments, and tests
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Audio recorded books
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Assistance with note-taking
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Breaks as needed during testing
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ACT and SAT preparation
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Highlights of Learning Support Program
- Annual review of Accommodation Plan
- Regular communication and collaboration with classroom teachers regarding student’s accommodations, assignments, tests, and grades
- Classroom accommodations, scheduled 1:1 instruction or small-group academic support sessions
- Assistance with applications for extended time accommodations on standardized testing (ERB, OLSAT, PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP Exams)
- Communication with parents
- Referral for outside tutoring as necessary with parental consent
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Upper School
In the Upper School, the Learning Support Program continues to provide support to students experiencing academic challenges with time management, organization, attention issues, and/or learning differences. Increased independence and self-advocacy is encouraged as students mature and the need for support changes. Assistance with College Board accommodations is provided as early as freshman year.
Support for applying for ACT accommodations is provided in October of the junior year.Freshmen entering Upper School will have a case-review to ensure that their accommodations comply with standards set for College Board and ACT. Parents and students will sign a consent form for the application for accommodations for the College Board. As a student enters their senior year, the Learning Support Program works with the College Counseling office. -
Middle School
As students continue to grow as learners in the Middle School, the Learning Support Program supports students who experience general academic difficulties due to challenges with work organization, time management, reading efficiency, problem-solving strategies, attention issues, and/or learning differences.
Teachers work closely with students to maximize their strengths and bolster self-advocacy and self-confidence. Teachers use their expertise and curricular knowledge to incorporate individualized learning strategies and skills into subject-specific instruction and reinforcement. -
Lower School
In Lower School, the Learning Support Program offers:- Individualized 1:1 instruction and small group multisensory instruction focused on literacy and math skills development, work organization, time management, attention issues, and/or learning differences. This framework is valuable in addressing potential gaps in understanding and mastery of basic learning skills in the early grades.
- Speech-language therapists play an important role in literacy development. Services from outside professionals may be recommended to assist in providing a more comprehensive educational plan for students.
