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Learning Support Program

Cistercian strives to create an inclusive and supportive learning environment that values each student’s unique strengths and challenges. The Learning Support Program helps students become successful learners and self-advocates. Students may benefit from the Learning Support Program in a variety of ways.

Students will develop important skills such as:

  • Learning to set goals, prioritize, self-monitor, and self-check
  • Learning time management and organizational strategies to balance workload effectively
  • Learning a variety of study skills and test-taking strategies

Students with documented learning challenges:

  • For students with documented learning challenges, families may seek classroom accommodations. Parents should direct requests for accommodations to their Form Master or the Learning Specialist, Kelly Lipscomb, at klipscomb@cistercian.org.
  • The school will review and evaluate the psychoeducational evaluation to determine eligibility for classroom accommodations. Please review the Documentation Criteria to ensure the documentation submitted will be sufficient. Email a copy of the documentation to either the student’s Form Master or Kelly Lipscomb at klipscomb@cistercian.org.
  • For eligible students, an Academic Support Plan (ASP) is developed, documenting the student’s learning needs and recommended accommodations. The Learning Specialist works in collaboration with Form Masters, teachers, and parents to support and monitor students’ needs.

Standardized Testing

  • Coordination with College Board and ACT to establish eligibility for accommodations for students with disabilities

Hawks Homework Club

Four days a week after school, the Small Lecture Hall is dedicated to students working on homework and studying. Upper School students volunteer their time to help others with homework, studying, and general studiousness. Students are welcome to attend without scheduling or reserving a spot. They may ask for help or work independently on any given day.

Monday - Thursday
3:45pm-4:30pm

For more information, contact Michael Humphries.

Meet our Staff

Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common reasons students might need a psychoeducational evaluation?

Psychoeducational testing can provide a full picture of your child’s abilities. Parents and students who seek an evaluation tend to have several questions or concerns.  Psychoeducation evaluations focus on the following areas and demonstrate impact on students learning:

  • Identify learning challenges
  • Attention and concentration
  • Behavior and emotional functioning
  • Cognitive and intellectual abilities
  • Fine-motor coordination
  • Executive functions (life tasks) such as organization and planning
  • Language and language-related processing
  • Learning and memory
  • Problem-solving skills
  • Social skills
  • Visual and nonverbal information processing
What are Cistercian’s documentation requirements for psychoeducational evaluations?
Download the document for the full list of requirements for psychoeducational evaluations.
Is an ADHD evaluation by itself sufficient for accommodations?
No, a complete psychoeducational evaluation is required to demonstrate the impact of the diagnosis on a student’s learning.
What classroom accommodations does Cistercian provide?

Depending on eligibility and qualifications, Cistercian may provide the following accommodations:

  • Extended time on tests and semester exams (50% extended time)
  • Permission to use a laptop in the classroom for in-class note-taking/assignments/essays
  • Copies of notes/presentations from teachers when available
  • Preferential seating
How do I establish eligibility for accommodations such as extended time for standardized tests, including ACT or College Board?

Academic Support Plans with the approved accommodation of 50% extended time must be in place at Cistercian for a minimum of four months to potentially meet eligibility for accommodations on College Board or ACT exams.

Students with established Academic Support Plans will be contacted by the Learning Specialist, Kelly Lipscomb, during the student’s freshman year to determine eligibility for accommodations on College Board exams, and in the fall of their junior year to request accommodations on the ACT.