St. Andrew’s Learning Services program best serves students with mild learning differences, including expressive or receptive language deficits, and attention and executive functioning challenges. Students benefit from small class sizes (maximum 12 students per class, and not more than five students in a Learning Services class), differentiated strategy and skill instruction, and a provision of services to support the mastery of content expectations in their academic classes. Teachers work with students to identify their strengths and demonstrate different pathways to success. Together, these components allow for the education of the whole child. Students learn to become effective self-advocates as they gain knowledge and understanding of their individual strengths, challenges, and unique learning styles. As a result, self-esteem and self-confidence grow.
Although there is no “typical” Learning Services student, and all of our students are unique, most students share similar qualities in their learning profiles and their educational needs. Our students possess average to above average cognitive ability and may or may not have a formal diagnosis. It is not uncommon for students to have one or more learning challenges that interfere in the learning process. Students with language-based learning differences may experience difficulty with reading, spelling, written expression, math, organization of written and spoken language, study skills, and understanding of textbook material. Some students find paying attention in class, staying organized, managing time demands, and focusing on schoolwork to be challenging.