Learning Differences

The mission of the Learning Differences Program at SHA is to support and expand upon Sacred Heart Academy’s mission –to inspire diverse learners to become globally-minded, compassionate leaders. By offering additional support and services to students with documented learning differences, we strive to educate each student in a way that fits her needs. Our program provides education to faculty about various learning disabilities and how they impact students in the classroom and collaborates with the SHA administration, faculty, staff, parents, and community members to enhance our students’ academic and personal growth.

Our program works with students at every academic level in all four grades. As an International Baccalaureate (IB) World School, we promote strong study skills, enhance student confidence, and teach students how to utilize their strengths to find success, and advocate for themselves when they need assistance. By doing so, we empower students to be successful in Sacred Heart's college preparatory curriculum and prepare them for life beyond SHA.

At Sacred Heart Academy, every student is empowered to learn.

Through a generous donation by Al and Barbie Horton in 2019, the Horton Family Accessible Education Center ensures that SHA continues to support students as they navigate our esteemed college-preparatory curriculum.

A state-of-the-art education center, students receive academic and social support that accommodates each student's unique learning and test-taking needs:

• partitioned tables
• standing desks
• sitting swivel desks
• traditional study carrels
• private, pod carrels
• study lounge for tutoring, quiet study, or group work
• individual testing rooms

The center has three dedicated faculty members who work with students on study skills, organization, test-taking, self-advocacy, and the ACT/SAT application and study process.

Available Accommodations May Include:

• Extended time for testing
• Oral testing
• Quiet, distraction-free testing
• Help with organizational and study skills
• Audio recording of class lectures
• Permission to use audio texts
• Assistance with note-taking
• Non-use of scantron answer sheets
• Preferential seating
• Regular communication with parents
• Self-advocacy training
• Testing in a quiet, distraction-free setting
• Assistance with ACT/SAT accommodation requests
• Peer tutoring through JFLI Academic Coaching Program