Learning Connections

Explore Academic Support programs and resources available to your child at Asheville Christian.

Learning should not be a one-size-fits-all activity. We celebrate the many ways that God has gifted each child to live out his or her calling. Through the Learning Connections academic support program, students with mild to moderate dyslexia, ADHD, and other diagnosed learning challenges are capable of excelling in our rigorous academic curriculum.

Please note: Asheville Christian is not equipped to provide expanded specialized educational programs for students with severe learning differences, developmental disorders, emotional or behavioral disorders, or other modification requiring highly specialized intervention that fundamentally alters the college preparatory program.

Is ACA right for my child?

As a college-preparatory academy, classes are academically rigorous to prepare your children for college. We recognize that college is not necessarily part of God's calling for every student, and so we offer both college prep and honors/AP level courses in most subject areas. Students with mild to moderate learning differences may qualify for additional support through our Learning Connections program.

Will my child be admitted to ACA?

Your child will be evaluated through the admissions process to determine the level of support needed to be academically successful at Asheville Christian. The level of support is determined by the Director of Academic Support based on the documentation provided during the application process. Evaluations will only be made after submitting an application for admission.

An overview of Learning Connections

Students with mild to moderate learning differences and average to above average aptitude may qualify and receive services through the Learning Connections Program.

Please note that we are only able to admit a percentage of students with diagnosed learning differences so that we may give all of our students the appropriate level of attention.

Early Grades

These services are offered to students who need a little extra support at no additional cost to families.

Reading Intervention Groups (K-2)

Sometimes students just need a little extra help when they are beginning to read. Our reading intervention groups are small pull-out groups that receive a little extra help during the school day.

In-Classroom ELA Support (3-5)

Students receiving Learning Connections services often need some extra support in the English Language Arts (ELA) classroom. A Learning Connections teacher pushes into the ELA classroom to provide extra help.

Support Programs

Academic Support Sessions

Academic support sessions are one-on-one sessions that last 30-90 minutes. The focus of these sessions is skill remediation and reinforcement of classroom teaching. Some modifications or accommodations may be implemented during these times, with an emphasis on developing academic independence.

Tutoring

Tutoring sessions are 30-90 minute individual sessions that take place outside of the normal school day. These typically take place after school or over the summer when the focus is on the remediation of specific subject skills.

Multisensory Math & English Classes (6-8) no charge

In order to provide a smooth transition from Middle School to Upper School, smaller multisensory classes are offered to provide more targeted and individual instruction to Learning Connections students.

10 max students per class.

Tutorial Study Halls (6-12)

Limited to five students per class, the tutorial study hall provides a structured time and accountability during the school day for students to work individually or in small groups to receive extra support on assignments or subject material.

Specialized Intervention

The following programs are all Level 4 intervention strategies providing students with the highest level of individualized support and educational therapy.

Search & Teach (K-1)

This early-grades intervention seeks to identify and remediate weak processing areas for young children. Through the Search and Teach program, students will be assessed for visual and auditory processing as well as fine and gross motor skills and receive targeted intervention.

NILD Educational Therapy (2-12)

NILD (National Institute for Learning Development) is a research-based and intensive educational therapy available for students with learning disabilities. The goal of NILD is to equip students to succeed academically as independent learners and is designed to strengthen areas of weakness in perception and cognition.

Multisensory Structured Language/Math Education

These one-on-one sessions ideally occur three times a week during the school day. This intervention is designed to meet the educational needs of students with significant diagnosed learning differences. The Orton-Gillingham methodology is utilized.

Neurofeedback

Research-based intervention for regulating cognitive, emotional and physical health. Potential candidates are students with ADHD, learning disabilities, performance anxiety, or students struggling with focus, attention, concentration, and organization. This intervention requires two sessions per week during the school day.