Our robust academic college prep program is strengthened by integrated support programs that allows us to welcome students with a range of learning differences.
Inclusion at JCHS means valuing the unique gifts and supporting the distinct challenges of each student in order to deepen the vitality of our community. In the Jewish tradition, universal access to learning means that we embrace each member the community regardless of financial resources, physical abilities, or learning differences.
For these reasons, we agree that “inclusion assumes that living and learning together benefits everyone, not just children who are labeled as having a difference.” (Falvey and Givner, 2005)
Our supportive program includes:
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Specialized training for all our classroom teachers to ensure they are sufficiently educated on how to best support and celebrate the learning of each individual student
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Freshman Seminar for 9th graders
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Supervised Study Hall Program
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Teacher availability for one-on-one support
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Regular sessions with a learning specialist
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A college preparatory curriculum with flexibility to accommodate documented learning differences
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Designated learning space for students to meet with tutors and learning specialists
Resource Center
The JCHS Resource Center provides educational support to students, whether they are experiencing specific difficulties or just need a space to help practice developing their organizational and learning skills.
The Resource Center includes two learning specialists, experienced in special education, who collaborate with classroom teachers. It is led by our Director of Educational Support, Yael Krieger. Our learning specialists work closely with:
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Students who can benefit from support outside of the classroom
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Students who need increasingly challenging material
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Teachers who embrace strategies of differentiation to meet the needs of their students
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Parents who want to better understand the learning needs of their children
Formal Learning Plans
Students with educational testing that identifies specific learning needs and makes specific recommendations for accommodations or modifications will work closely with our Director of Educational Support to develop learning plans that support their success. Director of Educational Support will
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Develop a student’s self-advocacy skills by helping students understand their academic strengths and challenges
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Support teachers in providing appropriate classroom accommodations, modifications, and supports
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Work closely with parents regarding student learning needs and differences
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Provide resources about specific learning disabilities
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Facilitate teacher-family meetings to review outside psychoeducational testing results and discuss recommendations
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Give referrals for tutors, educational therapists, and psychoeducational/neuropsychological testing
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Submit requests for ACT and College Board accommodations