Program of Studies Program of Studies 2018-19 | Page 6

School Counseling
A full-time school counselor serves the middle school student population, and assists in the following ways:
• Discussing academic progress with students and families
• Teaching a social dynamics unit within the academic schedule that addresses issues such as bullying, conflict
resolution, relationship questions, high school readiness and early career exploration
• Discussing personal problems, providing a “listening ear” and referring students to other professionals as
needed
• Directing students and families toward needed resources based on the nature of the challenges presented
• Meeting with parents or guardians
Response-to-Intervention (RTI)
The RTI program assists students in building the skills they need to be successful both academically and
behaviorally. The three-tiered system provides increasing levels of support depending on individual student needs,
strengths and patterns of achievement.
• Tier 1 interventions are designed to determine how best to help students achieve success when they are having
difficulty progressing.
• Tier 2 or Tier 3 interventions are indicated when the development of a very individualized Personal Learning
Plan (PLP) becomes necessary.
• Personal Learning Plans (PLPs) highlight specific student-centered goals to address focused areas of difficulty.
Extra help through the RTI program can be provided in most classes and during study halls; additional one-on-one
and small-group support is available after school.
Curriculum Extension Program
The Curriculum Extension Program, a cooperative venture between classroom teachers and the coordinator, is
provided to students with outstanding abilities who are capable of high performance and represent the diverse
populations of our communities. Students whose potential requires differentiated approaches to meet their
educational needs will receive challenging educational services through the Curriculum Extension Program. More
information is available from the Curriculum Extension Coordinator.
Library and Academic Commons
Mary Weymouth Hyde Library is located on Thornton Academy’s main campus. Open daily for student use, Hyde
Library offers a comfortable reading area, study tables, extensive print, periodical and multimedia collections. The
Hyde Library is an attractive setting and offers a popular place for all students, including middle school students, to
study and explore the world.
Middle school students visit Hyde Library as part of regular supervised classroom activities. Starting in middle
school, Thornton Academy students will learn to find and use information effectively, conduct effective Internet
searches, access online databases and acquire skills to become a lifelong learner.
Technology
Middle school faculty members have completed extensive professional development in the area of instructional
technology, which is an essential component in all areas of study at the middle school. Since technology is so
integral to the curriculum, a laptop or iPad is provided for every student to use both in school during classroom
instruction and at home for homework completion. Campus-wide wireless connectivity facilitates instruction in a
wide range of ways including the interactive whiteboard technology installed in every middle school classroom, as
well as in-class LCD projectors, digital cameras, and digital microscopes.
Teachers post class assignments online, making crucial class information and electronic resources available for
students to access from anywhere at any time via the Internet. A stable infrastructure and a reliable technology
staff are effective in handling all network, hardware and software issues.
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