Academic Support Programs

• One-on-One and Group Teacher Meetings

  Students can schedule individual or small-group meetings with teachers outside of class. Teachers are often available to meet during their free periods, before or after school, and/or during the evenings.

• Learning Strategies Meetings with Academic Support Staff

  All students (with or without testing) can schedule an occasional 15-minute meeting with a member of the Academic Support staff to get extra help on study skills, test preparation, note taking, organization, or planning.

• Subject Area Tutors

  Any student (with or without testing) who requires subject-area academic support may request a tutor. These tutors are paid for by the family, but are vetted by Williston and can work with students on campus or through Zoom during students’ free periods. Parents may request a tutor by contacting the Director of Academic Support.

• Academic Accommodations

  For students with neuropsychological or psychoeducational testing, the Director of Academic Support reviews the documentation and drafts an accommodations document in collaboration with each student’s family. This document is shared with teachers to help provide appropriate educational strategies. A few examples of accommodations are:

  • Provision of class notes
  • Breaking down long term assignments
  • Use of a computer for writing
  • Support using or creating outlines or graphic organizers
  • Use of audio texts and other reading technologies
  • Extended time for testing
  • Reduced distraction testing environment 

• Middle School Academic Support Programs

  We are proud to offer academic support programs in the Middle School, including proctored study halls and Academic Strategies Tutorial classes (see below) with instruction in executive functioning and study skills, as well as a structured program for tutoring sessions and homework completion. Please note that some programs have associated costs, but there are many free options (including our Writing, Math, and Science Resource Centers) that Middle Schoolers can access. If you have additional questions about the programs, please be in touch with Laura Vachet, Director of Academic Support. 

  The Academic Strategies Tutorial is a regularly scheduled class that typically meets three times over the span of each two-week class schedule cycle. Students will meet in small groups with an Academic Support staff member to learn skills and strategies to promote academic success.  The Academic Strategies Tutorial is intended to complement a student’s other classes.  Lessons may include: planning and scheduling for daily homework, strategies for assessment preparation; effective note-taking skills; reading comprehension strategies; and effectively using the School’s resources and technology.  Students enroll on a per trimester basis and must be registered for this program within two weeks of the start of the term.  To enroll in AST, please complete the program agreement here.

• Upper School Academic Strategies Tutorial

  Students electing to join the academic strategies class will meet with an Academic Support instructor in four small-group classes per two-week cycle to receive specific, targeted instruction to build executive functioning skills. Topics of the class may include:

  • Planning and scheduling for daily homework
  • Strategies for studying for English, math, science, history, and foreign languages
  • Effective note taking
  • Reading comprehension strategies
  • Using Williston resources effectively
  • Use of the Microsoft Surface for learning
  • Test-taking strategies 
  • Essay preparation and editing 
  • Time management skills and techniques to improve initiation and motivation 
  • Additional academic guidance, supervision and communication with advisors and teachers 

  Students in the Academic Strategies Tutorial will receive frequent written feedback on their use of strategies and academic success, which will also be shared with parents and other teachers.

  Available to any student for a fee.

• Laboratory for Academic Success

  In this dedicated study space held during evening study hall, faculty supervise and support students. Subject-specific tutors are also available nightly. The low teacher-student ratio allows every student to get customized attention and assistance to help them succeed.

  Available to any student for a fee.

• Educational Evaluations

  If a student experiences academic difficulties which suggest that an educational evaluation is appropriate, Williston can help parents explore potential resources for such testing. The school maintains a list of referrals for educational, intellectual, psychological, or speech and language evaluations, should parents/ guardians wish to consult with the school. Parents who need guidance in this area are encouraged to consult the Director of Academic Support or Health and Wellness Services.

  Available to any student; fee determined by outside provider

• English Language Learning

  For students transitioning into standard English classrooms, Williston offers a year-long course focused on cultural transition and literary practices inherent to English language learners. The major components of this course help improve specific skills in reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Placement into ELL for non-native English speakers is determined by a review of previous course work in English and test scores, as well as an English aptitude test, if necessary.

  Williston understands students who are entering a full English immersion experience may appreciate an added level of support as they become more confident and comfortable in their use (command) of the English language. During the initial transitional period, AST can provide additional supports, which may include reviewing teacher expectations, understanding English expressions in literature, teaching decoding strategies, providing supplemental readings to complement class texts, and creating graphic organizers for writing and notetaking.  

  Please note that this program has associated costs. If you have additional questions about the programs, please be in touch with Laura Vachet, Director of Academic Support.  

• Standardized Testing Prep

  As part of the College Counseling process, Williston helps facilitate on- and off-campus opportunities for juniors who are interested in group test-prep sessions for the ACT and SAT. We work with two school-vetted tutoring groups to offer on-campus 3-session and 6-session workshops, and full-day intensives on campus. Off-campus, 8-week workshops and full-day intensives are also available locally through a Williston-vetted tutor.

  For more information about our offerings, visit the College Counseling page.
  

• Return to Learn

  During the course of the academic year, sometimes students are injured, sustain a concussion or become sick. The Academic Department in conjunction with Health and Wellness Services is here to support your student during their period of recovery.