What is Academic Support?

The St. Pius Academic Support Program (ASP) was designed to address the academic needs of students. The ASP coordinator, along with the ASP team, work together with parents and teachers to identify and support students’ needs. The permanent team consists of the coordinator (Toni Hare), one of the counselors (Kim Frederick or Evelyn Leblanc), and our principal (Donna Lemaire). This committee meets each Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday mornings at 6:50 am, as needed.

Teachers and parents of the referred student also meet with the team. Prior to the meeting, student strengths, affinities, and weaknesses are identified through teacher and parent interviews conducted by the coordinator. Review of standardized test scores, class performance and observations, and professional evaluations are taken into consideration. At the ASP conference, the team develops a plan to implement strategies built on the student’s strengths to reinforce needed skills. SPES teachers review plans of these students, as well as plans of students currently in the Academic Support Program, to assure adjustments are provided. Individualized student plans are reviewed yearly to monitor student progress and changing needs to assure relevancy.