Academic Resource Center (ARC)

Families must provide ARC with documentation from either a healthcare professional, a psychological evaluation report, and/or an Individualized Education Plan(IEP)  or a 504 plan (if they attended a public school). Valid documentation must be within three years of establishing an LSA.

Support Services for Students with Learning Differences.pdf

Students who are eligible for an LSA are offered only accommodations in the general education classroom. Similar to in the collegiate-level, students with accommodations are expected to self-advocate for their accommodations and communicate with all of their teachers. De La Salle North Catholic acknowledges previous academic learning plans (Private School Learning Plan, 504 Plan, or IEP), but cannot guarantee that all accommodations and supports are transferable to a DLSNC LSA. Below are common accommodations provided to students with documented, diagnosed learning difficulties:

• Access to some audio books and texts (Learning Ally)
• Extended time (homework, projects, tests when approved by teachers)
• Alternative assessments (e.g. reduced # of problems, oral vs. written)
• Exams in an alternate setting
• Time and a half on tests (50%)
• Testing over multiple days (Chunking tests)
• Access to teacher notes and outlines
• Access to assistive technology in the classroom
• Frequent and consistent check-in with counseling support staff

LSA Template.pdf

• Tutors (through paid tutors, volunteers, University of Portland, and our DLSNC National Honor Society)
• Extracurricular activities (Lasallian Youth Ministry, clubs, talent shows, service immersions, volunteer opportunities, etc.)
• Athletics
• Preferential seating
• Teacher support and classroom interventions
• Ability to retake tests in some classes
• School counseling services
• Attendance monitoring
• Behavior plans and interventions
• Academic contracts
• Referral to outside tutors, counselors, and community agencies
• Virtual access to grades and assignments (PowerSchool)

ARC is a selective class not a true elective. Although students receive elective credit, it is a class that is assigned to students based on a student's previous educational history. The ARC Coordinator, guidance counselors, and administrators review NWEA test scores and previous academic grades as well as receive teacher input and recommendations when determining class placement. The administration and ARC Coordinator have the final say on enrollment into this class.

At the beginning of each school year, students meet with their teachers to discuss their LSA’s and accommodations. Students are expected to self-advocate and communicate the accommodations they feel will benefit them most in the classroom. Students who qualify for exams in a distraction-free environment, may take their assessments in the testing center, located in the back of ARC, room 123A. Students who qualify for these accommodations must fill out the Assessment Request Form at least one (1) school day in advance of the known exam. Students who qualify for these accommodations who wish to take their final exams in the testing center must fill out the Assessment Request Form at least three (3) school days in advance of the known final exam. The ARC Coordinator schedules and proctors all accommodated exams in the Testing Center.

Assessment Request Form.pdf

Learning Support Agreements (LSA’s) do not transfer to the university level. However, most universities require updated documentation within three years of enrolling at the university. Although LSA’s do not transfer, universities often provide similar accommodations for students with learning differences and use your student’s previous plan as a guide. When applying to universities, please contact Amanda Rodela Weingarten '05, Director of College Counseling, at x138 or aweingarten@dlsnc.org for guidance. Below are links to support resources at universities commonly attended by many DLSNC alumni. 

• University of Portland:
  https://www.up.edu/sarc
• Portland State University:
  https://www.pdx.edu/student-life/support-services 
• George Fox University:
  https://www.georgefox.edu/offices/student-life/student_services.html
• Western Oregon University:
  https://wou.edu/resources/student-resources/