I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that fully well.
Psalm 139:14
Rooted in the truth of Psalm 139:14, the Pathways Program at The First Academy provides the necessary support and accommodations to help students thrive academically, spiritually, and socially, ensuring every learner has the tools to become a useful and successful member of the body of Christ. The First Academy is committed to offering reasonable accommodations to policies and procedures in an effort to support student learning. In compliance with the American Disabilities Act, accommodations may not fundamentally alter the nature of the school’s program, create an undue burden on students or staff, or pose a direct threat to other students.
Pathways Student Support Services
The Pathways program provides reasonable classroom accommodations for enrolled students with a documented disability, learning difference, or health/physical restriction. When a student requires instructional support beyond what a classroom teacher can reasonably provide, enhanced Pathways services are available at an additional cost. Pathways staff is trained in Exceptional Student Education (ESE) to deliver targeted instructional support and effectively coordinate related services.
Please click here if directed to enroll in the Student Academic Plan Program.
During the admissions process or upon diagnosis, parents may submit documentation of a learning difference or physical limitation to divisional school staff. This documentation should include a current psycho-educational evaluation from a licensed psychologist or medical examination by a licensed medical physician. The evaluation should include the following:
- Statement of disability
- Functional impact of learning (at the school level)
- Recommendations
- Reasonable classroom accommodations
Evaluation must be within three (3) years and should remain current for the duration of time the student receives accommodations at TFA.
The First Academy reserves the right to make the final decision on necessary accommodations after documentation has been submitted to the school and reviewed by qualified staff.
A student who demonstrates learning difficulties in the classroom may be observed by divisional staff at the request of a teacher or parent. If learning difficulties continue, parents may be contacted and TFA staff may recommend the need for additional testing. Additional testing may include a full psycho-educational evaluation by a licensed psychologist or psychiatrist or a medical examination by a licensed medical professional. The purpose of this evaluation is to identify student strengths and weaknesses and the impact on student learning within the classroom environment.
Once an evaluation is complete and documents a learning difference or health challenge, the student is eligible for Pathways services. Full evaluation information should be submitted to Pathways staff. Upon review, Pathways staff will meet with the parents to review recommendations and potentially develop a Student Academic Plan (SAP). The purpose of an SAP is to outline specific services and accommodations intended to support student learning, which will result in the development of a successful, independent learner. Reasonable and necessary accommodations are determined based on individual student strengths and weaknesses.
Pathways staff will share the SAP with classroom teachers and support the classroom teacher and parent partnership in the implementation of the student’s accommodations. Pathways staff may complete classroom observations and review school records to ensure the student is making progress.
The goal for students served through Pathways is to learn strategies related to their particular disability, gradually needing less individualized instructional support, and eventually independently advocating for themselves in the college-preparatory learning environment.
Pathways services are not designed to be used for homework or subject-specific remediation. If a student needs remediation or supervised assistance in a particular subject, academic tutoring after school hours may be recommended.
Student accommodations as outlined on the SAP must be related to the needs of the student as documented in his/her evaluations.
All students with documented learning differences or health impairments are provided reasonable classroom accommodations facilitated by the teacher. These do not change the academic rigor or expectations of the curriculum.
Accommodations typically fall into four categories:
- Accommodations of presentation
- Accommodations for response
- Accommodations of setting
- Accommodations of time and scheduling
Modifications are not supported. Modifications to curriculum result in a change or reduction of expectations and are not supported at The First Academy.
Kindergarten-1st Grade: Due to the developmental learning that takes places between the ages of 4 and 7, accommodations are not typically relevant for this age group. Classroom teachers are skilled at offering the development support that students need at this age. In the rare event that classroom support is not enough, Lower School administration may initiate the process through Pathways to develop an SAP.
2nd-12th Grade: Pathways offers support for these students in grades 2-12 with documented learning differences or health impairments.
Yearly Fee – $750
Payments for Pathways services may be paid on the same schedule as tuition payments or in annual or semi-annual payments. Students no longer in need of Pathways services may request a change in service at the end of the quarter, and payment will be prorated.
- Parents meet with Pathways staff to discuss student needs, the SAP, and Pathways services.
- Pathways staff coordinates initial review of student evaluation and develops SAP based on recommendations.
- SAP will include Classroom-Based Accommodations as well as Pathways Enhanced Facilitated Accommodations
- Pathways staff initiates a consultation with the classroom teacher to discuss the SAP and related classroom-based accommodations.
- In Grades 8-12, Pathways staff will provide on-going assistance and coordination of paperwork necessary to request accommodations on standardized tests including CollegeBoard™ (PSAT, SAT, Advanced Placement) and PLAN/ACT®.
- Transition meeting at the end of the school year to plan for the following school year.
Pathways Test-Taking Policy
Students with extended time specifically documented on their SAP may come in before school to start their tests. They will start their tests early before school and will complete the remainder of their test during their regularly scheduled class time. This policy is in place to reduce the pressure students feel as others are finishing while they are still working.
Standardized Tests Through the College Board and ACT
The CollegeBoard™ and ACT® offer various standardized tests that older students take for college admissions, college credit, and scholarship eligibility. CollegeBoard™ assessments include PSAT, Advanced Placement, SAT Subject Tests, and SAT. Both PLAN and ACT® are coordinated through ACT®. Both CollegeBoard™ and ACT® have a system for qualifying students to receive testing accommodations. Having a diagnosis and receiving accommodations at TFA (or any school) do not guarantee approval of those accommodations for the CollegeBoard™ or ACT®. CollegeBoard™ and ACT® each have their own requirements for accommodations, and they make the final determination regarding appropriate and reasonable testing accommodations for individuals with documented disabilities. For exact and expansive information regarding CollegeBoard™ and ACT® policies visit the following websites:
Looking for more information on enrichment at The First Academy? Click below to learn more about The First Academy’s Learning i.e. Program.