Academic Support

Continuous partnership with students with diagnosed learning differences and their parents to ensure that students have the opportunity to thrive at Whitefield and beyond.

The AEC helps with learning difference awareness and early intervention, creates opportunities for remediation, and builds trustworthy and respected relationships by supporting both students and parents.

• AEC support of learning differences requires an outside psychological-educational evaluation and a diagnosis from a psychologist. Following the diagnosis, parents will meet with the Director of the AEC in order to review the report and discuss the best manner of support for the student. 
• Parents of Lower School students with diagnosed learning differences will meet with the Director of the AEC, the Lower School principal, assistant principal, and the teacher of the student.
• Please note that in order for a psychological-educational evaluation must be updated every three years to remain current, so that we have clinical recommendations based on the student’s current abilities.
• After reviewing the psychological-education evaluation and discussing with parents, the AEC establishes various academic accommodations for the student based on the recommendations from the psychologist. The accommodations may include:
  •  Extra time on quizzes, tests, exams, and standardized testing
  • Preferential seating for proximity to teacher, distance from distractions, or ability to stand and move around
  • Use of calculators
  • Waiving required use of scantron or bubble answer sheet in favor of marking answers directly on the assessment
  • Flexibility with the third year of a foreign language based on current testing on file in the AEC and diagnosis from psychologist
• The AEC will meet with the student’s teachers to ensure full understanding of how to best support the student’s learning needs.
• The AEC will apply students for accommodations on College Board tests including the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and AP exams, and will work with families to apply for ACT accommodations.
• There is no fee for the AEC to review the psychological educational evaluation and to put accommodations in place.

One-on-one or small group coaching to develop critical executive functioning skills.

We understand the importance of executive functioning skills and that challenges with executive functioning can result in difficulty focusing, following directions, and processing emotions. 

• Executive functioning coaching is tailored for your child. A typical program may include regularly scheduled, one-on-one or small group sessions pertaining to all academic subjects. During these sessions, which typically take place during the school day, the AEC faculty member will help develop and reinforce organizational systems and practices. One of the goals of executive functioning coaching are to empower the student to become a self-advocate and responsible for their learning.
• Executive functioning coaching in the AEC can help your child develop skills such as:
  • planning and prioritization
  • organization
  • time management
  • memory
  • self-reflection
  • attentiveness
  • initiation
  • follow through
  • self-control
  • cognitive flexibility and problem-solving
• Students may be referred to the AEC for executive functioning coaching through:
  • psychological educational evaluation
  • teacher recommendation
  • direct request from the student or parent
• The typical executive functioning student is eager to improve their skills and has a parent who supports skill development at home.
• There is an additional fee for this level of support per quarter per student. 

Relationally focused, one-on-one support with an older student.

To support a student’s academic growth while also creating an impactful mentorship, students can be matched with older Whitefield students who have a strength in a particular subject area. Peer tutors work with younger students who are having some difficulty and need support in a specific subject or support with organizational skills. Your student will receive individual attention and support for his or her academic and mentoring needs. One of the greatest benefits of peer tutoring is the relationship built between the tutor and students. Peer tutors complete an application and are trained and supervised by the AEC tutor coordinator.

• Peer tutoring is scheduled based on the availability of the student and tutor.
• Peer tutoring sessions may occur before school on late-start days, during an overlapping free period during the school day, or during extra help time in the afternoon.
• There is no fee associated with peer tutoring. Peer tutors earn community service hours for their time serving others ahead of self.

One-on-one, subject-specific, academic tutoring including lesson reinforcement and homework help.

Every student has different strengths and weaknesses when it comes to learning. Customized tutoring programs help ensure your child is learning effectively in a way that is best for each child. The benefits of tutoring include improved critical thinking, organization, and better study habits, setting your child up for sustained success. Professional tutors help build your child’s academic skills and address problem areas to prepare your child for assignments, tests, and exams.

• Professional tutoring is scheduled based on the availability of the student and tutor, and sessions can vary in frequency and length.
• Tutors are generally specialists, meaning they are tutors for a specific subject rather than a general tutor. Each tutor is contracted through the AEC. Most tutors are former teachers, current teachers, or individuals who have a specific passion for a subject area.  
• Each professional tutor will work with our Whitefield faculty and will communicate with the Whitefield teacher, building a partnership that benefits the student.
• There is an additional fee for this level of service.

The AEC partners closely with families, college counselors, advisors, and teachers to come alongside our students navigating all aspects of the college search process, with the ultimate goal of helping each student find a college or university where he or she will flourish.

The student support team seeks to proactively identify potential issues, as well as collaborate to promote the health of the whole child. The student support team includes AEC staff, key campus leaders, and division leaders including principals, counselors, nurses, and selected teachers.