Learning Support Program

The Learning Support Program is broad-based, offering support not only to students with diagnosed learning disabilities, but also to students ‘at-risk’ or new students experiencing academic difficulty. Entry into the Learning Support Program follows a referral process to determine eligibility for additional services. While attending JIS, students in the program are expected to enroll in mainstream classes and meet requirements with a minimum of special assistance. 

Our Learning Support Specialists collaborate with counselors, students, and families to develop a support plan for students in the program. The Learning Support Program offers support through a variety of models, including direct support, in-class support, monitoring, and accommodation support. Depending on need, a student may receive any combination of these types of support:

• Direct support is provided to students in a pull-out model. Students are enrolled in a Learning Strategies class, or they may have regularly scheduled academic check-in meetings with a Learning Support Specialist, depending on their level of need. 

• In-class support is also provided, mostly in Grade 9 and 10, in which a Learning Support teacher works collaboratively with a subject-area teacher and provides additional strategies and support in the classroom on a daily basis. 

• Monitoring involves periodic academic check-ins with the Learning Support Specialist as well as monitoring of their progress through communication with students’ subject teachers to ensure they are on track.

• Accommodation Support is provided to students and teachers to assist them with the logistics of assessment accommodations (extra time, testing laptops, etc.). Additionally, the Learning Support Specialist supports students with developing independence and self-advocacy with accessing these accommodations.