Philosophically, ASA is an inclusive school: we believe that all students can learn and we do our best to support students with mild learning needs. In making a decision to enroll a student with learning needs at the school, parents should consider carefully what services are required and whether these services are available at ASA or within the community. Such services as Speech and Occupational Therapy, Psychologists and Psychiatrists are typically unavailable, or inaccessible to non-French speakers, in Antananarivo.
The Student Services Team at ASA coordinates services for students with identified and documented learning needs, with the aim to reduce barriers to learning and increase equity of access to the curriculum. Students with additional needs are supported within the regular curriculum; we do not offer an alternative program. We aim to provide an inclusive environment that allows students to develop and be successful according to their strengths, with some adaptations and accommodations to the regular educational program as required.
Students receiving learning support are either supported in class, or given additional small group or one-on-one learning support by a qualified Learning Support Teacher. The Learning Support Teacher works with the student's subject teachers to ensure that lessons are differentiated, and if necessary modified, to enable students to access the curriculum in a way which is adapted to their needs.
Students at ASA can be referred for support by their parents, their previous school, or by their current teachers.
ASA reserves the right to require Pyscho-Educational Testing of students with suspected undiagnosed learning needs, at parent's expense. Such testing is necessary to provide the information to ensure that the learning needs of the student are being met. ASA has is visited annually by an Educational Psychologist from South Africa. If testing is required more urgently or in a language other than English, families may have to visit an Educational Psychologist outside of Madagascar.
Please see the Student Services Team Handbook for more information.