Academics
Student Support & Resources
At CRS, recognition of children’s diverse learning styles is a fundamental aspect of our educational program. Our small class structure and team teaching approach allow us to meet students at their individual levels and to differentiate instruction in meaningful ways. Whether a child needs extra support in an area or demonstrates readiness for additional challenges, we understand each child as an individual and support them appropriately.
At each grade level, classroom teachers, specialists, and our Student Support Team collaborate on an ongoing basis to assess and support students. This team meets regularly to discuss each child’s academic and developmental progress; children’s social/emotional well-being is an important component of these meetings.
Parents are an integral part of our team and we partner with them to help define and meet students’ needs. We are committed to ongoing collaboration and communication with parents throughout their child’s years at CRS.
Our Learning Specialist develops an individual learning plan for students in need of additional support. These plans guide teachers in providing a classroom environment with student supports including accommodations in the areas of instruction, organization, focus/attention, assessment, and assistive technology.
CRS Student Support & Resources include:
- A full-time learning specialist who works closely with students in PreK-8, collaborating with teachers, parents, tutors, neuropsychologists and other evaluators to support the diversity of learners school-wide.
- A full-time literacy specialist who works primarily with children through Grade 3, as well as providing Orton-Gillingham support school-wide.
- A part-time reading group instructor, also trained in Orton-Gillingham, working with students in Grades 1 and 2.
- In-house screenings and assessments, as well as classroom observations, to make recommendations prior to seeking outside testing for diagnosis.
- A school counselor on campus four days per week working with teachers to support students and families.
- Advisors for 7th and 8th-grade students who oversee students’ academic progress and social-emotional development as they prepare for the challenges of high school.
- Language Arts instruction in ability-based groups supported by the literacy specialist; groups are fluid and change based on students’ progress.
- MathCounts program provides additional challenge for students in Grades 5 - 8.
- A close partnership with a variety of outside support services, including speech and language therapists, occupational therapists, and tutors, some of whom work on campus with students during the school day.
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Charles River School is a PreKindergarten through Grade 8 independent school that honors the pursuit of academic excellence and the joy of childhood. We nurture each child by igniting curiosity, encouraging creativity, and cultivating intellectual engagement. Our graduates know themselves, understand others, and shape the future of our diverse world with confidence and compassion.