Students with learning differences deserve full access to a high-quality Catholic education. St. John Paul II School can meet the needs of many students with mild to moderate learning disabilities such as ADHD, reading and mathematics disabilities, and certain physical and emotional health challenges. Once enrolled, the Student Services Office will write an individual Student Accommodation Plan that outlines accommodations and support. Accommodation Plans also address a student’s need for self-advocacy skills and independence. If the school determines that it cannot meet a student’s needs, the school will communicate with families during the application process.
The Student Services Office works with students who have identified learning differences to help them achieve their highest academic potential and support their emotional and spiritual development. The staff assists with organization and time management, study skills, note-taking, writing, editing, proofreading, test preparation, test-taking skills, and homework completion. Services may be scheduled for before and after school, during X-Block, and Quiet Study periods.
The Student Services Director communicates regularly with families to assist them in accessing diagnostic and reevaluation services. In addition, Student Service staff members coordinate with public school districts to complete new and updated evaluations. These services may also be provided by medical professionals or private related services providers or psychologists.
Grades 5-8
Student Services staff members provide regularly scheduled inclusion support in most Reading/ELA and Math classes. A limited number of students are also eligible for individual or small group tutoring. In addition, Student Services staff members provide a dedicated after-school study hall for selected students to help with homework completion and review.
Grades 9-12
Students share in the development of their individual Accommodation Plans. Students have regular meetings with the staff who assist with organization, time management, and a broad range of study skills. In addition, the Student Services Office is open at 7:15 am to allow students a quiet place to complete work and check-in with staff members.
Students with learning differences deserve full access to high-quality Catholic middle and high school education. The Academic Support Program brings together the JPII academic team – Principals, Assistant Principals, teachers, Guidance Director, and Academic Support Director – to help all students to achieve their academic potential. The Academic Support Program provides support for students with learning differences to excel in their academic, emotional, physical and spiritual development.
Through the Academic Support Program, JPII meets the needs of many students with mild to moderate learning differences such as ADHD, reading and mathematics disabilities, and certain physical and emotional health challenges. JPII will write an individual success plan that outlines accommodations and support. In the event that the school cannot meet a student’s needs, the academic team will communicate with families during the application process. The Academic Support Program is designed for students who, with appropriate support, can attain grade level or higher proficiency.
Key components of the Program:
- The Academic Support Director communicates regularly with families of students with learning differences to assist them in accessing diagnostic and reevaluation services. These services may be provided by public school districts or via private psychologists.
- The Academic Resource Center is open daily from 7:15 AM – 4:00 PM. Students may schedule support during study halls, before school, or after school. The staff provides assistance with organization and time management, study skills and note taking, writing, editing, proofreading, test prep and test taking skills, and homework completion.
- For qualifying students, the Academic Support Program may provide in-class inclusion support from an academic support teacher who holds special education credentials. Inclusion services focus on reading, English and math classes but also may include science and social studies classes. The academic support teacher works with the classroom teacher to ensure accommodations are in place and foster student engagement. Individual tutoring may be arranged, also. Additionally, the academic support teacher provides a dedicated after school study hall for students with learning differences.
Ms. Lucy Foran
Student Services Director
Mrs. Katherine Duvall
Student Support Teacher