Inclusion banner showing students and teachers working together in a group #ashexperience

 

At ASH, we value learning diversity as a rich resource for building inclusive communities, align the learning experience with the needs of each student, and work closely with parents to support the success of each child. We take each student’s learning journey to heart and design the best #ASHExperience possible. To favorably meet the needs of our diverse group of learners, we offer a wide range of learning programs for a managed number of students. In addition to the range of academic support available, we have an Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Therapists and Counselors adding value to our Student Support Team.  

Our Student Support Team invites applications from students with mild to moderate learning differences. We review each application carefully to ensure we have the resources to provide a level of academic, social and emotional support that meets each student’s needs and allows for maximum success.

Inclusion Stories

 

Our Inclusion Programs 

 

English As an Additional Language

We work with our students to become effective and empathetic communicators and develop English language proficiency. For our non-native English speakers we design an individualized program of support to develop the social language skills they need to integrate successfully into student life at ASH, and the academic language skills to access the mainstream curriculum in all content areas. Applicants to grade 1 and above for whom English is not the primary language at home will be assessed to determine whether or not they should be enrolled in the English as an Additional Language (EAL) program. This assessment may take the form of a file review, a review of a writing sample, or an on-site written and oral assessment. 

 

Special Education

Our Special Education program is designed for learners in grades 2 to 12 with formally identified disabilities. The program is individualized for each child and includes developmentally appropriate functional academics and life skills instruction, delivered in combination with the modified grade-level curriculum. Throughout the day, and depending on their interests and strengths, the students are included in activities and/or classes with their peer group.

Our Special Education program includes a self-contained learning environment led by a certified special education teacher, who develops and guides the learning goals for each student, modifies the grade level curriculum as needed, and ensures that all students have the support needed to gain greater independence and achieve success. In a small classroom environment our students receive individualized core academic and adaptive skills instruction as well as the maximum opportunities for inclusion in the ASH program; students are filly embraced members of our community.

 

Learning Support

Learning Support is available for a managed number of learners in grades 1 to 12 who have identified learning differences and/or who demonstrate challenges accessing the grade level curriculum, despite high quality teacher intervention. Our program provides developmentally appropriate remediation and academic skills support within the grade-level curriculum, with a focus on supporting students in their areas of learning challenges while capitalizing on their strengths. Support may be long term or short term and decisions about specific levels of support are made using an inclusive, collaborative process. 

 

Enrichment

We believe that a student-driven inquiry approach allows all learners to engage with their interests and strengths and enjoy a challenging learning experience. Enrichment experiences are available to all students, and based on student choice. Project-based enrichment allows students to use their leadership skills and creativity to achieve success individually and in multi-age groups. A focus on autonomy, flexible thinking, hard work, mentorship and perseverance allows students to demonstrate high levels of performance, pursue their dreams and goals and re-envision the future.