St. Angela Merici Academic Support Program

DSHA has a long history of developing each young woman’s unique potential for learning. Consistent with this philosophy, the St. Angela Merici Academic Support Program was established to meet the individual needs of students with learning differences/disabilities during their high school years.

St. Angela Merici is the patron saint of girl’s education, and she acknowledged that each student has a unique learning style and learning potential. The St. Angela Merici Program seeks to inspire and enable all students to participate in a Catholic education and to include all students regardless of their challenges while ensuring high expectations are maintained for all students.

• Students with specific learning differences are evaluated and diagnosed prior to acceptance to DSHA, or during their time at DSHA, and must be accepted into the St. Angela Merici Academic Support Program to use these services.
• High School Placement Test must be taken at DSHA.
• A copy of all the most recent psychoeducational tests and/or reports, completed by a licensed clinical psychologist or an IEP. Current evaluation from the 8^th grade spring semester or summer before high school is required to align with ACT Accommodations and to assess eligibility for the Wisconsin Special Needs Scholarship Program (local public school district evaluation). 
• A diagnosis of a clearly stated disability that is recognized as a disability in the state of Wisconsin or is recognized in the field of special education as a learning disability.
• A signed release of information so that DSHA can communicate with the elementary or middle school.
• A copy of the student’s 504 Plan/IEP from the elementary/middle school.
• Willingness to fulfill the requirements of the Wisconsin Special Needs Scholarship Program.

• Each student may be provided with one full support session daily, based on individual needs and systematic curriculum-based instruction from our intervention specialist.
• Each semester, a schedule is created to match the individual needs of support for each student.
• All students with learning differences and learning plans receive accommodations that help enable success.
• Students in the program are held to the same standards and graduation requirements as all students at DSHA.

• To help each student discover and understand her unique learning strengths.
• To help each student identify and develop strategies that support her academic success.
• To encourage each student’s maximum participation in her learning and in reaching her full academic potential.
• To develop a college-ready student who understands her learning strengths and challenges and can implement strategies necessary for future academic success.

• A Learning Plan is developed for each student which includes information regarding main difficulties, strengths, learning styles, appropriate accommodations, and teaching suggestions.
• Ongoing communication between the Academic Interventionist and the classroom teachers to monitor student progress.
• Bi-monthly email communication with parents to inform them of grades, newsletters, information, etc.
• Consistent academic support for students through the implementation of a specific curriculum that focuses on study skills, organization, time management, goal setting, etc.
• Assistance is provided to both students and parents for the successful transition between high school and college.
• Freshmen participate during study hall/ACES and sophomores-seniors participate during Applied Wellness time or study hall time.