Middle & Upper School Learning Support Center

The mission of the DWS Learning Resource Center is to provide appropriate support and accommodations for students at DWS who have a diagnosed mild to moderate learning disability, high functioning autism, aspergers or attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. The program is designed to help students understand how to maximize their learning strengths and manage their weaknesses, enabling them to grow academically, socially, and emotionally. 

In sixth through eighth grades, the learning center emphasizes self-awareness, executive functioning skills, social skills and the acquisition of academic skills necessary for college preparatory work. The learning center advocates for students who need extra support and accommodations to be successful in their academic endeavors. In addition, the learning center supports DWS teachers who work to implement the accommodations for students in the mainstream classroom. DWS strives to provide academic resources and support to the student and parents as each learner progresses towards a more independent learner. 

In ninth through twelfth grades, the Learning Support Center program supports students and teachers as they continue to collaborate so each student will be successful negotiating college preparatory work. DWS provides academic resources and support as the student continues to progress as an independent learner and steward of their accommodations. The learning center director will work with the students and parents to assure all necessary paperwork is completed for the accommodations on the ACT/SAT/AP exams.

Students must provide a current psycho-educational evaluation with diagnosis of a specific learning disability, autism/asperger’s disorder, AD/HD or other neuro-developmental disorder as written by a private or school psychologist. This evaluation must provide evidence of average or above-average intellectual capability, grade level achievement scores in some areas, and evidence of motivation toward academic achievement. All recommendations from a psychological may not be implemented at DWS, based on availability of services.. A learning support committee will individually review each application.