Learning Skills ~ How Does It Work?
Enrollment & Scheduling When a student decides to enroll in Learning Skills, the family fills out a contract and submits it to the school. The fees for the program (based on the number of sessions per week, broken down by trimester) are handled through the business office.
Once the student’s class schedule is finalized through the Academic Dean’s office, the desired number of Learning Skills sessions are built into the schedule. Students are paired with a Learning Specialist based on specific areas of need and perceived personality matches.
How a Learning Skills session is guided Learning Specialists manage the balance of time in a given session by providing help with current, upcoming, or oftentimes overdue assignments, while still leaving significant time for work on the student’s goals, study habits and skills, and broader areas of academic improvement.
Short and long-term goals of Learning Skills The short-term goal of the Learning Skills Program, generally stated, is to help students meet the expectations of a demanding Vermont Academy Curriculum, including:
- Showing up to all commitments
- Submitting all work in a complete and timely fashion
- Planning and preparing for longer assignments
- Studying effectively and efficiently
- Apply one’s effort consistently and evenly across all classes
The long-term goals of the Learning Skills Program are to transition students into confident, independent learners who are prepared to handle the demands of a college curriculum. Students are:
- Confident that they have the tools and mindset to reach their academic potential
- Able and willing to communicate directly and personally with teachers and administrators regarding work or issues
- Willing to seek help when needed
- Able to manage time such that work is completed inside of deadlines
- Willing to offer help to others
- Earning grades that they are satisfied with and proud of