Southside Christian School recognizes that each individual has been uniquely created by God and that learning takes place in a variety of ways. Thus, the programs offered through the Academic Resource Center (ARC) are designed to assist the special needs of students with learning differences.

The goal of ARC is to equip young people with a Christian worldview which they can use in serving God. This is accomplished by encouraging the students to recognize their individual talents and abilities in order to obtain their fullest potential as vital members of their families, society, and the body of Christ. In achieving this goal, ARC strives to aid students in developing good workmanship qualities as well as a commitment to life-long learning. The strengths of the students are used to encourage spiritual, academic, social, and physical growth.

A variety of programs are offered through ARC, which supplement and reinforce classroom instruction for students who have been diagnosed by a licensed school psychologist or physician with a learning disability, processing deficits or ADD/ADHD. In addition, ARC personnel work with teachers and parents to suggest educational modifications made in the classroom. They are also responsible for monitoring the student’s achievement and communicating with the parents on a regular basis.

To receive the maximum benefit from programs and services, the ARC faculty recognizes the importance of fostering a close relationship with the parents of the students who receive ARC services. This partnership includes regular communication, parent training, and support.

After a child has been approved and scheduled for an ARC program, the cost of the program will be added to the student’s annual tuition and distributed according to the desired payment plan.

DESCRIPTION OF SERVICES AND PROGRAMS:

DIAGNOSTIC TESTING: Diagnostic testing enables ARC to determine a student’s specific needs so that the proper remediation can be administered. Testing can be provided for educational screening, academic levels, and learning gaps.

INDIVIDUALIZED TUTORING: Elementary students meet with a trained instructor for individual or small group tutoring. Multi-sensory methods are used to remediate spelling, math, reading, and writing difficulties. ARC tutoring focuses on remediation of subject skills, reinforcement of classroom teaching, guidance for classroom modifications, and the coordination of home and school efforts. Each session is forty-five minutes long.

SEARCH AND TEACH: Search and Teach is an early intervention program for young children designed to identify and remediate weak processing areas which could be warning signs of a learning difficulty. Search and Teach assesses visual and auditory processing and fine and gross motor skills. Based on results of the Search screening test, students work with an educational therapist using Teach activities.

NILD THERAPY (NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF LEARNING DISABILITIES): NILD is an intensive educational therapy designed to stimulate areas of weaknesses in perception and thinking.  Techniques are intended to improve academic success within the classroom.  Students meet one-on-one with a therapist two times a week for an hour and a half each session.

INDIVIDUALIZED COURSES: Students in grades one through twelve who are struggling with a course in the traditional classroom may benefit from individualized instruction in the areas of English and math in the Academic Resource Center. These courses are taught using a variety of materials. Class size is limited to six with students attending four or five days per week.

TUTORIAL STUDY HALL: Tutorial Study Hall is available for students in grades three through twelve.  During Tutorial Study Hall, an ARC instructor provides assistance needed in study skills, test preparation, homework assignments and reinforcement of classroom instruction. In addition, close communication is given among the study hall instructor, the classroom teacher and the home. Finally, the instructor monitors the implementation of any classroom modifications based on formal testing.

MULTI-GRADE CLASSROOMS: The multi-grade classroom is designed for children who need an individualized instructional program throughout the school day. Factors such as personal abilities, classroom demands, and social/emotional concerns will be used to determine placement. Besides using theme ideas for instruction, students will have teacher-directed instruction in the areas of language arts, reading, spelling, and math. Elementary age students will be assigned a grade level “buddy” and will participate with their peers in elective classes.

AUXILIARY PROGRAM; SPEECH THERAPY: Speech therapy is for children who have difficulty with specific speech sounds (for example, the letters ‘r’, ‘s’, and ‘l’) or for children who may have other speech and language difficulties.

For more information about the auxiliary program and cost, please contact Debbie Irwin at 234‑7575, ext. 1340.