Learning Support

A dedicated learning specialist is an integral part of the Beginning School community, providing an additional layer of proactive support that aligns with the division’s focus on fostering a lifelong love of learning in students. This learning specialist consults with teaching teams and works in each Beginning School classroom throughout the year, gently monitoring every child’s development in key areas, including language, sensory and motor skills, and early literacy and math. Through this support, we work to ensure that every child is prepared to thrive academically in the years to come.

In the Lower School, dedicated learning specialists are essential to the academic community. Learning specialists consult with teachers and provide integrated support to grade-level classrooms through whole-group instruction and/or small-group work, ensuring that every student has opportunities to build foundational academic skills. They also provide short-term, one-on-one check-ins as needed, giving students an additional level of support to help them build confidence as they continue to grow into independent learners.

Middle school is a time of significant change, and our division’s learning support team—alongside dedicated teachers and advisors—provides a soft landing for students in this developmental stage. Specialists provide small-group support and one-on-one check-ins during community time. They also offer students and families guidance on structures and routines that help with executive functioning, learning approaches, and navigating the educational evaluation process. In addition, students in grades 7 and 8 have access to a directed study class to build key skills, and all students are welcome to use the dedicated learning support space to work on assignments or connect with a trusted adult about their needs.

In the Upper School, learning specialists prepare students for success in higher education and beyond by helping them develop self-advocacy and independence. Specialists advise both students and teachers, providing resources that support students’ developing executive functioning skills and overall learning needs. Team members also work closely with students, families, teachers, advisors, administrators, and outside professionals in a proactive partnership that ensures students’ plans grow with them. In addition to formal accommodations, the team provides coaching on executive functioning, study skills, and time management. At its core, this work is not only about academic access but also about creating a strong sense of belonging, ensuring every student has the skills and confidence to thrive as a capable, lifelong learner.

Learning support encompasses the collaboration between learning specialists, teachers, counselors, and division heads to support the learning and development of each student at Rowland Hall. This collaboration embodies our mission to help students lead lives of learning and purpose. That means supporting whole-child wellness and learning while cultivating empathy, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Our approach honors the diversity of minds, bodies, and experiences, as we work to be neurodiversity affirming and to create equitable access for all students. We know belonging is central to learning. Students are more likely to thrive when they feel safe, seen, and supported.

All students can access learning support, not just those with a diagnosed learning difference. This happens through close collaboration with teachers. Our learning support team can also assist students who may benefit from skill development, strategy coaching, organizational support, study skills, and other learning or executive-functioning tools. For students with documented learning needs, learning specialists can develop a support plan that guides all teachers who work with the student.

As an independent school, we do not have IEPs or 504 plans. Instead, after receiving documentation from an outside specialist, such as an evaluation report, our practice is to debrief with the teacher, learning specialist, family, and evaluator. The learning specialist then drafts a support plan based on the debrief meeting and the most salient information from the report, including areas of strength, needs, classroom strategies, and accommodations. Support plans are living documents that are meant to evolve as the student grows.