Celebrating and Supporting Neurodiversity 

The Center for Academic Excellence is staffed by learning specialists and located on the third floor of the Hupper Learning Commons. Faculty support students with diagnosed learning disabilities and executive skills deficits. The Center also provides a distraction-free testing setting and a space for students who qualify for extended time to work or complete assessments. At times, students may be identified by and referred for academic guidance or intervention by members of the school community. The Center's team of highly qualified faculty and trained professionals work closely with students, their teachers, advisor, and all faculty in support of academic success.

Academic support is scheduled as a class period and meets regularly within the school day. 

During support sessions, students meet with the Center's trained staff. The sessions are designed to provide strategies for particular learning challenges unique to that student. Homework completion is not the sole goal of our staff, however, the assignments and current content may be the context for improving skills and developing strategies. 

The Center for Academic Excellence works closely with each student's teachers, advisor, and dorm parents. The structured communication allows support staff to identify areas of concern and growth for the participant and to coach classroom faculty on strategies for assisting the student in their respective disciplines.

The Center is available for untimed tests and/or as a distraction-free testing environment. 

Our strategy is not one size fits all. 

Student participating in academic support and intervention receive a learning profile that is shared with the student’s classroom teachers, advisor, and any other indicated school-based supports. This learning profile includes a description of the student’s strengths, learning needs, contextualizes any diagnoses, and describes classroom accommodations and/or modifications that will support the student’s learning and achievement at Hebron Academy. Learning profiles are based on information provided to the school by families upon enrollment and may be further informed by teacher observations and assessment of student progress as they navigate their time at Hebron. 

Students, parents, teachers, advisors, and the Center staff all work together to help each student achieve academic success. Each student is assigned a team leader that coordinates communication, develops the learning plan, and ensures that the student's learning profile is updated and utilized by teachers. 

Each student's learning plan is individualized and incorporates a wide variety of interventions, such as study skills, written expression instruction, scaffolding, metacognitive skills, self-advocacy, and reading comprehension support. Students enrolled in the Center are assigned a class period to work directly with the staff on improving specific skills.  

The Center staff oversee and report progress through recorded notes, communication with teachers and parents, and term and midterm evaluations. The student curriculum may change based on feedback from the student, teachers, or their term/midterm grades.

Professional development meetings, online resources, and professional conferences are utilized by faculty to ensure that students enrolled in the Center are receiving learning supports based on current best practices.

Support Tier 1: All Student Access

At our Center for Academic Excellence, all students can benefit from drop-in access to our facility and faculty.

Support Tier 2: Academic Guidance

In addition to drop-in access, students receive a weekly 30-minute coaching session. This personalized coaching directs students to resources, skills, and guidance to optimize their academic success and reinforce and support the practice of new techniques.

Students participate in one small group skills class or weekly homework support session. This additional support assists students in developing and practicing key academic skills, mentoring and learning from others and managing their assignments.

To keep parents informed and involved, our Academic Support faculty communicate every two weeks throughout the academic year (excluding vacations). This ensures that parents are up to date with the student’s progress and can reinforce growth from home.

Support Tier 3: Academic Intervention

In addition to drop-in support, students receive two 30-minute coaching sessions per week. This level of personalized coaching allows for specific, focused attention on the student’s academic growth.

Alongside their peers at Tier 2, students with Tier 3 support will participate in one small group skills class or homework support session per week. This additional support will enhance the student’s academic abilities and teach them techniques for working with others.

To maintain consistent communication, our Academic Support coaching faculty will provide parents with updates every two weeks throughout the academic year (excluding vacations). This ensures that parents are well-informed and can actively support their child's academic journey.

Parents with children in Tier 3 support will also be invited to participate in our Center for Academic Excellence virtual book club and will have access to other parent-focused resources. These additional resources are designed to foster a strong partnership between parents and our Center, further enhancing the student’s educational experience.