“James came to St. Andrew’s in 6th grade, having experienced very little success with reading and, as a result, school in general. I have witnessed teachers persevere with James to bring out the best in him, not just academically, but as a whole person, allowing him to explore and bring to the surface the many facets of his potential. Now, he’s a self-assured young man, going to Rensselaer Polytechnic—with an academic scholarship!”
--Parent of a St. Andrew’s graduate
Bringing out the best in each student
St. Andrew’s is a small, yet richly diverse community, one that celebrates our cultural, ethnic, and learning differences. Each student brings complex learning strengths and challenges and our teachers are trained to bring out the best in each student, whatever their specific needs. We have developed expertise in the design of programs for students with dyslexia, language-based learning disabilities, or those experiencing attentional and/or organizational challenges. These programs, which complement the college-preparatory curriculum, are coordinated through the Department of Learning Services. The Learning Services Program was established nearly 30 years ago, and is certified by the State of Rhode Island Department of Education.
The Learning Services Program supports the academic program for students with learning disabilities, yet all students at St. Andrew’s benefit from caring advisors, small classes, and thoughtfully designed educational plans. These features of our overall program enable students to meet the requirements of a demanding curriculum and prepare for college. St. Andrew’s employs a strong advising system to support our diverse community. Advising groups vary in size, but are never larger than eight students. All advisors have participated in Schools Attuned professional development training opportunities.
Students attend academic classes with 12 or fewer students. Small classes enable students and teachers to get to know each other well. In this climate, even the most reserved students feel comfortable volunteering their perspectives. Classes and advising groups offered through Learning Services are even smaller, typically four students or fewer. Our goal for all students is to provide the best possible environment for learning, and St. Andrew’s teachers use multiple strategies to ensure that everyone in the class understands the material before moving on. Classroom teachers typically offer in-school and after-school help.
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