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.
Three Tiers of Support for Identified Learning Differences
St. Michael’s offers specialized learning support to students with diagnosed learning differences at an additional cost. Offerings are both integrated into the classroom and through one on one and small group instruction. Orton-Gillingham or Wilson tutoring is included as support within each tier.
Tier 1
This level of support is for light to mild accommodations and modifications within the classroom setting. Families receive support from our Learning Specialist as a consultant and case manager for their child’s academic journey. As a part of this, the Learning Specialists will provide families with feedback on their child’s progress through benchmark assessments, as well as comments in report cards at the end of each semester. A student in Tier 1 may receive one or two check-ins from the Learning Specialist per week.
Program cost: $3,000
Tier 2
At tier 2, support is focused on more individualized academic accommodations and modifications for the student within the classroom. They may receive support from the Learning Specialist two to three times per week depending on the needs of the child. Families will also have the Learning Specialist as a point person and case manager for their child. Support may be provided in a pull-out or push-in setting, depending on the needs of the child and what’s occurring in the classroom. Additionally, the Learning Specialists will provide families with feedback on their child’s progress through benchmark assessments, as well as comments in report cards at the end of each semester.
Program cost: $6,000
Tier 3
Tier 3 support includes more intensive classroom modifications and accommodations to allow students access to the curriculum. This level of support can typically include three to five or more sessions with our Learning Specialist, and may include a co-teaching model based on the child’s profile. Families will also have the Learning Specialist as a point person and case manager for their child. As a part of their case manager role, the Learning Specialists will provide families with feedback on their child’s progress through benchmark assessments, as well as comments in report cards at the end of each semester.
Program cost: $9,000
Occasionally, the school may determine that the student would benefit from additional support beyond what is offered. Students may also move out of the learning support program when it is determined that support is no longer necessary for them to meet with success in the school’s programs. To learn more about what tier of support would benefit your child, please contact Phil Tutino, Dean of Students.
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.
