Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Student Support Services program at ACS?

    Student Support Services has two different programs: Academic Support and English Language Learning (ELL). The Elementary School offers both programs, but Middle and High School only offer Academic Support. Academic Support is designed to help struggling students achieve success in a demanding academic program. ELL is designed to teach English Language skills to students who speak other languages. Students may attend the Academic Support or ELL classes for no more than one hour per day.

2.  How does a student get into the ELL program and when can they exit the program?

    Elementary-aged applicants who are not fluent in English take a standardized English proficiency test. Students must meet the established entry criteria before being considered for admittance. If a student has already been admitted, but is struggling to make adequate progress in class due to a lack of English acquisition skills, the Student Support Team (SST) will meet to make an action plan, which may include entry into the ELL program. The SST meets again to look at assessment data and teacher observation notes to determine if the student has enough English language proficiency to meet success in the classroom without extra support.

3.  Does ACS have a special education program?

    No. ACS offers Student Support Services Programs, not special education programs. Although ACS does accept some students with mild learning challenges, the Student Support Services programs are not special education programs capable of teaching the full range of exceptionalities and services.

4. ACS says they can support children with “mild learning challenges”. What does this mean?

“Mild learning challenges” means that a child may have a few gaps in knowledge or skills, be slightly below grade level in one or two areas, may need support to pay attention in class, or other reasons that slightly interfere with complete success in a rigorous academic program. ACS does not support students with moderate to significant learning or physical challenges, nor does it have a gifted and talented program.

5. What about physically disabled or developmentally delayed children? Can they attend ACS?

    ACS can support students with mild needs. If the Admissions Committee determines that your child could meet success with minimal classroom accommodations and/or one hour or less of support per day, they will be considered for admission.

6.  Can I apply to ACS if my child has an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) from another school?

    Yes. Just because your child has an IEP does not exclude him/her from consideration. Your child will go through the regular admissions process, including admissions testing. Our Admissions Committee will review the results along with prior school records and the IEP details, and decide whether your child can meet with success at ACS with one hour or less of support per day.

7.  Does my child have to be tested and diagnosed with dyslexia, ADD or another learning disability to get into the Academic Support program?

    No.  If your child is struggling in class, the teacher can refer him/her to the Student Support Team (SST). After reviewing all the available information, the SST makes a recommendation, which can include being placed in the Academic Support program.

8. Will my child be asked to leave ACS if testing determines that she is dyslexic or has a specific learning need?

    No. As long as your child is being successful with no more than one hour of support per day from the Student Support program, she can continue enrollment.

9.  Can my child get support at school without being in the Student Support Services program?

    There are a variety of ways students can get help at school outside of Student Support programs. National Honor Society (NHS) high school students offer tutoring for service hours (ask your child’s counselor). Teachers are available before school, at lunch, and after school to work with students on an informal basis. Counselors maintain a current list of tutors who may be available on a fee-basis. However, teachers cannot be paid for tutoring their own students.

10. How can I keep in touch with the Student Support teachers?

    The Student Support teachers will provide written feedback on each report card and mid-term progress report. You can always request a meeting at any point in the year; just call the divisional office to make an appointment. E-mail is another easy way to check in with your child’s teachers.

11.  How do children leave the Student Support Services programs once they get in?

    The Student Support Team (SST) meets to review student progress using report card grades, assessment data, and teacher observation notes. If the SST determines that the student will be successful without Academic or ELL support, the student can be exited from the program.

12. I’m worried about my child moving to the next division. How can I be sure his needs will be met next year?

    The Student Support Teams (SSTs) at each division meet at the end of the school year to discuss the transition from elementary to middle school, or from middle to high school. At this meeting, Team members discuss student needs and plans to support those needs so that the transition is as smooth as possible.

13.  I’m confused! There are so many different names of courses in the handbooks!

    Student Support Services fall into two categories: Academic Support programs and English Language Learning program. In the Elementary School, the Academic Support program is called Resource, and the English Language program is called ELL. In the Middle School, the Academic Support programs are called Learning Lab or Study Skills. At the High School level, Academic support is called Study Skills, and is designated Study Skills I for the first semester course, and Study Skills II for the second semester course.

14. How can I get more information about topics related to special needs, helping my child at home, and community resources?

    Keep an eye on the Link newsletter for announcements about parent coffees related to topics of interest. Your child’s teachers can give information related to special needs and suggestions for how to help your child at home. The Counselors may have some information about community resources, including tutors.