Learning Support
A primary tenet of the EPS philosophy is an appreciation for a diverse community of students and a commitment to providing an educational environment that supports this diversity. The Learning Support Program is designed to help students with a wide variety of learning profiles successfully navigate the rigorous and challenging academic curriculum at EPS. The program does not stand alone but is woven into the fabric of the overall school and serves to not only support students, but also to help teachers learn about best practices for all learners, not just those with diagnosed learning needs. Services can range from assistance with general organizational and study skills to help with a specific project, paper or test and can consist of a single meeting or up to six regularly scheduled sessions.
Any student who has a diagnosed learning challenge is eligible for an EPS learning plan and reasonable accommodations supporting their educational needs. The learning plan is drafted based on a psychoeducational report provided by the family which documents a student’s diagnoses and recommended accommodations. The plan and accommodations are made available to faculty through our internal system, providing this important information to all adults working with a given student. Please keep in mind that it is important for documentation of learning needs to be up to date, especially in Upper School, as current testing is required to apply for accommodations on standardized college entrance exams such as ACT and SAT.
Guided Study Hall
Guided Study Hall (GSH) is a fee-based service internal to Eastside Preparatory School and available to all students. GSH varies from a traditional study hall in that each student receives tailored, individualized instruction from Learning Support Specialists (GSH Instructors) who work with students to identify areas of strength and devise strategies to address areas of struggle. Students attend GSH in place of regular Study Hall with a maximum of 4:1 student to teacher ratio and focus on a variety of skills including self-advocacy, assignment tracking, organization, and study skills. Communication is paramount to making sure students are on track for success. GSH instructors are in direct contact with each student’s teachers, advisor, and parents to address any academic concerns that may arise. Each week, students update their parents and advisors on missing and upcoming assignments. Through reflection questions, students also comment on their progress toward becoming an independent learner.
Meet the Team
Readings and Resources
Bright Kids Who Can’t Keep Up: Help Your Child Overcome Slow Processing Speed and Succeed in a Fast-Paced World by Ellen Braaten and Brian Willoughby
Smart but Scattered: The Revolutionary “Executive Skills” Approach to Helping Kids Reach Their Potential by Peg Dawson and Richard Guare
Smart but Scattered Teens: The “Executive Skills” Program for Helping Teens Reach Their Potential by Richard Guare, Peg Dawson, and Colin Guare
Learning How to Learn: How to Succeed in School Without Spending All Your Time Studying; A Guide for Kids and Teens by Barbara Oakley, Terrence Sejnowski, and Alistair McConville
Overcoming Dyslexia by Sally Shaywitz