Academic Support - Lake Forest Academy Academic Support While Lake Forest Academy prides itself on the rigor of its curriculum and the access students have to meet individually with faculty, we recognize that students arrive with different academic skill sets and may need additional support to thrive. The Academic Support Program at LFA serves to fill this need by providing individual and group support in time management, organization, study skills development, note-taking and reading skill development, and homework completion. The Learning Resource Specialists provide the following services on campus: Individualized coaching in organization, time management, and study skills Academic counseling to discuss academic concerns and identify strategies for improvement Academic support during the school day Coordination of Small Group Studies and Structured Study Hall Development of Student Accommodation Plans for students with documented psycho-educational, medical, or psychological diagnoses (similar to IEPs or 504 plans) Development of academic support plans for students experiencing academic issues related to absences, illnesses, or psychological crises (in conjunction with the Dean of Students and School Counselors) Coordination of accommodations for all national standardized tests (ACT, PSAT, SAT, and AP Tests) Meredith Norman Learning Resources Specialist, Health, Wellness & Community Teacher, and Director of Summer Academy Leigh Morrison Learning Resources Specialist LFA offers the following resources for students: STEM Help, Lower JC Cowart Student Center Monday-Thursday, 8-10 p.m. Structured Study Hall, JC Cowart Student Center Classrooms 17/19 Monday-Thursday, 8-10 p.m. 9th Grade Study Hall, Upper JC Cowart Student Center Monday-Thursday, 8-10 p.m. Quiet Study, JC Cowart Student Center Monday-Thursday, 8-10 p.m. Residential Faculty are available to meet with students during study hours (8-10 p.m.) when they are on duty in the dorms; if your teacher lives on campus, ask them when they're on duty! Individualized Academic Support and Coaching Student Accommodation Plans Standardized Testing Accommodations Small Group Studies Structured Study Hall Students may schedule one-time or on going meetings with the Learning Resource Specialist to receive individualized academic support. The Learning Resource Specialist provides support in the following areas: Organizing work and materials Managing time and using the student planner Note-taking and study strategies Preparing for quizzes, tests, and exams Developing timelines for exams or long-term projects and papers Prioritizing and developing a homework plan after extended absences Writing papers (specifically assistance with the research and writing process) General homework assistance Student Accommodation Plans are Lake Forest Academy's version of an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or 504 plan. We ask that parents contact the Learning Resource Specialists to set up accommodations at Lake Forest Academy as soon as possible in their student's academic career here. We also ask that students be a part of the accommodation process so that they understand their accommodation plan and develop self-advocacy skills. Typical accommodations that can be provided by Lake Forest Academy include (though are not limited to): Extended time on assessments (50% extra) Allowance for breaks during testing Preferential seating Testing in an environment that has limited distractions Recording of lectures Use of audiobooks Alternative testing formats (i.e. circling answers rather than using scantron) Cycle meetings with the Learning Resource Specialist Accommodations for physical or medical conditions Temporary accommodations for injuries or illnesses Please note that setting up a Student Accommodation Plan does not guarantee accommodations (or the same accommodations) on ACT or College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) tests. To set up a Student Accommodation Plan, we prefer the following: Contact the Learning Resource Specialist early on in the student's academic career Submit documentation on the diagnosis and recommendations to the LRS. Documentation should: Specifically state the medical or psychological diagnosis (with DSM-V or ICD-10 codes) Be updated within 3 years Include the credentials of the doctor, clinician, or evaluator If any neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing has been conducted, please submit the testing data to the LRS Submit all accommodation plans from previous schools to the LRS Please note that setting up a Student Accommodation Plan does not guarantee accommodations (or the same accommodations) on ACT or College Board (PSAT, SAT, AP) tests. However, as a general rule, the student must be receiving and using accommodations at Lake Forest Academy in order to qualify for accommodations on any standardized testing. To apply for accommodations on standardized testing, please refer to the directions below: College Board Standardized Tests (PSAT, SAT, AP): Accommodation requests can be made at any point prior to the deadline of the student's first College Board test. Once the student has been approved for accommodations, they are approved for all future College Board tests. Sign and return the consent form to the Learning Resource Specialist (LRS). Make sure all available documentation has been submitted to the LRS. Please refer to the College Board's Documentation Guidelines for more information about what is specifically required. Please note that guidelines vary depending on diagnosis. Both the LRS and the student will be notified about whether the accommodation request has been approved or denied. If a request is denied, the LRS will discuss with the family what will be necessary to gather for an appeal. ACT: For the ACT, a student must first register for an ACT test and indicate that they want accommodations. Once registered, print off the admission ticket and bring it to the LRS. Please note that the accommodation request deadline is the same as the registration deadline for ACT tests. Sign and return the ACT consent form to the Learning Resource Specialist (LRS). Make sure all available documentation has been submitted to the LRS. Please refer to ACT's Policy for Documentation for more information about what is specifically required. Please note that guidelines vary depending on diagnosis. For national extended time, the LRS will submit required forms and documentation to ACT via fax. Please note that ONLY THE STUDENT will be notified if the request has been approved or denied. Please let the LRS know when a decision has been received. For all other accommodation requests, the LRS will submit required forms and documentation to ACT online. Both the LRS and the student will be notified when a decision has been made. If a request is denied, the LRS will discuss with the family what will be necessary to gather for an appeal. Small Group Studies (SGS) are open to any student at any grade level and occur during the day. They are similar in nature to a study hall, but are supervised by the Learning Resource Specialist (LRS) and are limited in number. Small Group Studies allow students to have more frequent contact with the LRS and complete their assignments under the guidance of the LRS. Boarding students who earn three grades at C or below, two grades at D+ or below, or a single F during any marking period are placed in Structured Study Hall (SSH) for the following marking period. Students who have been placed on Academic Watch, Academic Review, or Academic Probation are placed in SSH for the entire semester. Exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Learning Resource Specialist, School Counselors, Advisor, and/or Dean of Students.