Student Support
Pre-Kindergarten (Pre-K) – Grade 12
AAS believes that every learner is unique and endeavors to help everyone reach their full potential. AAS is an inclusive school and we are committed to supporting all of our students regardless of learning ability, race, ethnicity, gender, identity or beliefs. We believe that inclusive education benefits the entire community, and providing universal access to the curriculum is the responsibility of all our faculty and staff. We are committed to proactively advocating for the diverse needs of our students and base our instruction in evidence-based practices.
Student Support Services works to make AAS’s curriculum accessible to everyone by supporting individual student needs through a combination of services such as differentiation, consultation, collaborative planning, individual and small group instruction. Student Support Services is a collaborative effort of the Counseling, English as an Additional Language, and Learning Support departments. This forms the multi-disciplinary Student Support Team (SST) that spearhead efforts in each division. The goal of this collaboration is to allow multiple professionals to join a single conversation aimed at supporting the entire well being of the child.
Levels of Learning Support
At AAS, we provide a variety of services to meet diverse student needs. The level of services depends on the intensity, duration, and frequency of services provided to each student. Each student’s services are personalized to their needs. The following are several factors most typically considered when determining a student’s level of service:
- Academic performance
- Social/behavioral performance
- Executive functioning ability
- Physical ability
- English language proficiency
- Amount of contact time (e.g., student, classroom teacher, learning support teacher, related services, parent(s)/guardian(s), counselor, administrator)
An additional Learning Support Fee may apply depending on the intensity, duration and frequency of the service. There are four levels and they will be directly connected to the student’s level of educational support needs. The majority of students at AAS will need level one services only; however, some students will require additional support services that include a fee.
There are four levels directly connected to the student’s level of educational support needs.
- Level 1: Student has not been yet formally identified with a learning disability and is supported primarily in the classroom by the teacher, with consultation from the learning support department.
- Level 2: The student has been formally diagnosed with a learning disability, has a complete Individualized Education Plan (IEP), and regularly receives direct support from a qualified special educator outside of the classroom in the Elementary School in place of a language elective, or Learning Strategies class in the Secondary School.
- Level 3: The student is supported by a combination of small group instruction, one-on-one instruction by a LS Teacher or Learning Support Assistant (LSA) in the mainstream classroom. The student has an IEP and has been assessed by a licensed educational psychologist. The student may also have a substantial and modified curriculum.
- Level 4: The student may have an individual full-time Learning Support Assistant assigned to support them, has a substantial and modified curriculum, and may receive highly specialized instruction in a differentiated classroom. This may include a mix of online or special courses, and is indicated they may graduate via a non-traditional route.
The costs associated with each level of support are below. Fees are paid annually.
- Level 1: No fee
- Level 2: €1,500
- Level 3: €10,000
- Level 4: €20,000
Counseling
The overall aim of the School Counseling Program at AAS is to promote and enhance the development of the whole student. The program blends the American School Counselor Association’s (ASCA) National Model (which is comprehensive in scope, preventative in design, developmental in nature), and the ISCA Model. There is a significant focus on the pastoral care component of counseling.
EAL
Support
English as an Additional Language (EAL)
The language of instruction at AAS is English: students learn in English. The change in language of instruction may be a challenge for students who are not proficient in that language. In fact, these students might need some language support when joining AAS.
