Academic Support
Chaminade's Academic Support Program's goal is to assist students of all ability levels in reaching their full academic potential.
The Esto Vir Academic Resource Center (ARC), located on the lower level of Frische Hall, houses the Academic Support Program. The ARC is a place for students to seek out the resources they need to be successful at Chaminade. The Academic Support Program is comprised of several new initiatives, and many longstanding resources, for students to take advantage of throughout the school year.Below are the components of the Academic Support Program:
Academic Lab
All students* will be assigned an Academic Lab as part of their schedule (full year in the High School and Sixth Grade, one semester in Seventh and Eighth Grades).
During Academic Lab students will have the opportunity to complete online assignments for their courses, get caught up on homework, seek assistance from available math and English teachers, make up assessments missed from absences, meet with their counselor, and seek out academic assistance. There will also be the opportunity to learn and practice effective study habits and test preparation skills.
ACT Classes
Mrs. Laura Kaiser, BA
Location: Counseling Center - Chaminade Hall
ACT Special Testing
| Test Date | Registration Deadline | CCP Test Dates |
| September 9, 2023 | August 4, 2023 | September 9 & 10, 2023 |
| October 28, 2023 | September 22, 2023 | October 28 & 29, 2023 |
| December 9, 2023 | November 3, 2023 | December 9 & 19, 2023 |
After School Academic Program (ASAP)
Honor Society Tutoring
Profesora Megan Rosario Rouse
Learning Consultants
Mr. Tony DiSalvo, MA
Grades 6-12
Location: Academic Resource Center (ARC) – Frische Hall – Lower Level
Contact for appointment.
Learning Differences Policy
For new students all documentation supporting educational diagnosis should be submitted during the application process to ensure accommodations are in place for the start of the school year. If educational needs are not disclosed during the admissions process, anticipate a delay in finalization and distribution of any learning plan.
Chaminade Education Learning Plans (CEAPs) are distributed within the first weeks of the school year. To ensure the student’s learning plan is distributed to his teacher to start the semester, all documentation (re-evaluations or additional requested documentation) must be submitted by August 1st. Any documents submitted after this date will delay the distribution of the student’s learning plan.
In order to apply for accommodations for the ACT and College Board (PSAT, SAT, and AP test), CEAPs must be in place for 6 months before a testing accommodation request can be submitted to either testing agency.
Chaminade is a college preparatory school with demanding requirements, which all enrolled students are expected to meet. For students with an official, documented diagnosis of a learning disability/difference, the following testing and classroom accommodations can be offered at Chaminade. It is important to note that Chaminade is not able to provide intensive accommodations or curriculum modifications typically utilized in schools with dedicated special education programs. Only the specific accommodations listed within the Chaminade Student Handbook can be included in a student’s learning plan, and they must be recommended by the diagnosing clinician.
Testing Accommodations:
Timing: Extended time: 150% on classroom assessments, semester exams, and standardized assessments.
Setting: Testing in a reduced distraction environment.
Response: Allowance for the test answers to be recorded directly to the test.
Allowance for an option of a paper test when a computer test is the standard format.
Classroom Accommodations:
Setting: Preferential Seating
Presentation: Note-taking support to supplement student notes. Use of audio supplements: during independent work time (not provided by school)
Response: Use of Calculator when the test does not solely assess calculation skills. Use of Laptop in place of handwritten assignments or handwritten notes. (in accordance with the acceptable use of technology policy)
To be found eligible for a formal accommodation plan at Chaminade, the school must be provided with a current psychoeducational assessment, as well as a documented diagnosis of a learning disability/difference. Other diagnoses of clinical and medical disorders may also qualify a student for an accommodation plan. Submitted documentation will be reviewed by one of Chaminade’s Learning Consultants. Additional documentation may be requested to fulfill the eligibility requirements. Once all requested documentation is submitted and reviewed, an accommodation plan will be developed for the student and distributed during the following grading period. Students hoping to take advantage of testing accommodations for semester exams must have all paperwork submitted by the start of third grading period for the 1st semester, and the sixth grading period for the 2nd semester.
Documentation requirements may differ based on each individual student’s diagnosis. See below for examples:
- Clinical disorders/disabilities (e.g. Anxiety, Depression) should be diagnosed by a psychiatrist, psychologist, or licensed professional counselor, not a pediatrician. If you have questions about who an appropriate clinician is to complete the evaluation, please contact your student’s house counselor or learning consultant. Documents submitted must include the diagnosis, assessment results used for diagnosis, and recommendations. The initial evaluation submitted must be within the last 12 months. Updates are required annually.
- Medical disorders/disabilities (e.g., Visual impairment, hearing impairment, diabetes, neurological disorders) should be diagnosed by an appropriate medical professional, a specialist in their respective field, not a pediatrician. Documents submitted should include diagnosis, assessments results, limitations caused by the medical impairment, and recommendations. The initial evaluation submitted must be with the last 12 months. Updates are required annually.
- Learning disorders/disabilities (e.g. dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, etc.) require a comprehensive educational evaluation from a qualified clinician. The assessment must include the diagnosis, results from a cognitive and achievement testing, and recommendations. The initial evaluation submitted must be within 30 months of the assessment date. Updates are required every 3 years.
- Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) can fall into all three diagnostic categories, but testing agencies such as ACT and College Board may require a complete psychoeducational evaluation. Please note, a medical ADHD diagnosis will need to come from a medical specialist, such as a neurologist or psychiatrist, and not from a general practitioner or pediatrician.
Library
Remediation
STAR (Students Taking Academic Responsibility)
Study Skills Support
MIDDLE SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Mrs. Laura Griese, MA (6th and 7th K-Z)
Mr. Jeff Winter, MA (7th A-J and 8th)
Location - Middle School Office Grades 6-8
Middle School counselors have information on study skills, time management, and organization. Students may arrange for counseling appointments.
HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELORS
Mrs. Amy Tricamo, MA (Meyer and O’Donnell)
Mr. Tim Sartori, MA (Mauclerc)
Mr. Vince Viviano, MA (Gray and Lamourous)
Location: Counseling Center - Chaminade Hall Grades 9-12
High School counselors have information on study skills, reading strategies, note-taking, time management, and organization. Students may arrange for counseling appointments.
Writing Lab
ACADEMIC RESOURCE AND INSTRUCTIONAL SUPPORT LIST