Learning Support Services
The Urban School
is committed to supporting all students, however differently they may learn.
Urban’s approach combines the best teaching practices with up-to-date
technology and a range of support services, all in recognition of the school’s
mission to ignite a passion for learning for all our students.
Best practices incorporate traditional techniques
– models, a consistent classroom routine, study guides for tests – with new
approaches, such as electronic voice files in language classes and use of animation in science classes. At Urban, best practices are
common practice, not accommodations. All students benefit when teachers provide
assignments orally and in writing, or break large assignments into manageable
pieces with interim deadlines.
As a laptop school, Urban’s use of
technology benefits all kinds of learners. In addition to the many tools available
on every student’s laptop – voice capability for listening to text, Inspiration
software for writing and online conferences where teachers posts assignments –
all classrooms are wired for sound and projection. All students are provided graphing calculators for use in math classes, and SmartBoards have
replaced classroom whiteboards, enabling teachers to post class notes
online.
Urban also has a host of support services
available to all students, including:
- Math
Café: daily lunchtime help with a math teacher
- Multiple
weekly study periods during which students can consult with teachers
- Writing,
reading and study skills support with the Learning Services Coordinator
- Social-emotional
support with the School Counselor
- Audio
and video library, including on-site use of a Kindle
- Individualized
academic advising
- Peer
tutoring
- Referrals
to outside tutors and learning specialists
Examples of accommodations for students
diagnosed with a learning disability include:
- Extended
time on school and standardized tests
- Testing
in a quiet place, such as the library
- Extra
breaks during testing
- On-site
standardized testing for students with special accommodations, such as
laptop use
For more information, please review our
Learning Support Frequently Asked Questions.
