Academics
Our Commitment
When students have the privilege of learning in an environment based on centuries of Dominican teachings and traditions, the pursuit of truth—in their studies, their faith, their service, and their community—becomes the fabric of their daily lives as it has for the thousands of young women that came before them.
As a Catholic, Dominican school, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is committed to educating the whole person in a setting that allows adolescent girls to flourish into young women that are well-prepared for college and beyond.
Learning Support
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy is committed to ensuring that all students have equal opportunities to succeed academically and thrive in our learning environment.
We embrace neurodiversity as an advantage that leads to more innovative and creative learning outcomes in our classrooms. We recognize that each student is unique and may require specific accommodations and supports to facilitate their learning process.
The Formal Learning Plan
The Formal Learning Plan is a personalized document that describes a student’s learning profile and identifies strategies to support her academic success. This plan is developed based on the results of a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation submitted to the school. It’s shared with teachers at the start of each academic year and includes:
• Relevant educational background
• Identified academic strengths
• Areas for academic growth and support
• Approved accommodations
• Recommended teaching strategies
COMMONLY PROVIDED ACCOMMODATIONS:
• Extended time on assessments (including finals, midterms, in-class exams, and timed essays)
• Testing in a separate, distraction-reduced environment
• Strategic classroom seating
• Use of a calculator
• Use of a computer for written assignments
• Access to assistive technology (text-to-speech, speech-to-text, etc.)
• Copies of class notes
• Transcripts of the listening portion of World Language exams
Directed Study Class
FSHA offers a Directed Study class, which is scheduled as part of the regular academic day and taught by one of our full-time Learning Specialists. This course provides structured time for work completion and individualized support in areas such as self-advocacy, study strategies, executive functioning, and subject-specific skill development.
OTHER SERVICES:
• Formal Learning Plan meetings with the student and parents/ guardians
• One-on-one meetings with one of our two full-time learning specialists
• Close collaboration with teachers, administrators, college counselors and outside allied professionals
• Informal Assessments (a data gathering process to help inform the student and family, whether or not a formal, outside psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessment is a best next step)
• Referrals to outside evaluators/psychologists, educational
therapists, and tutors
Does FSHA provide academic accommodations?
Yes. FSHA offers individualized accommodations based on each student’s documented evaluation through a formal learning plan. Our teachers collaborate closely with the Learning Specialists to ensure that these supports are consistently implemented in the classroom. Common accommodations include extended time on assessments, testing in a smaller setting, strategic seating, use of a computer or calculator, and access to assistive technology such as text-to-speech and speech-to-text applications.
Are accommodations available for placement tests?
Yes. Students who qualify may receive extended time and take their placement tests in a smaller, distraction-reduced setting.
What documentation does FSHA require in order to provide accommodations?
Please refer to our accompanying pamphlet for a detailed explanation of documentation requirements.
Does FSHA offer a specialized program for students who use accommodations and need additional academic support?
Yes. FSHA offers a Directed Study course, which is scheduled as part of the regular academic day and taught by one of our full-time Learning Specialists. This course provides structured time for work completion and individualized support in areas such as self-advocacy, study strategies, executive functioning, and subject-specific skill development.
What classes can students eliminate from their freshmen schedule to make room for the directed study class?
• Biology (Taken on campus during the summer, or during sophomore or junior year).
• World Language (Delayed until sophomore year).
• Visual Performing Art/Elective.