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David Program
La Salle College High School David Program 2
The David Program at La Salle College High School
The David Program, inspired by the educational vision of Saint John Baptist
is an academic support service for
de La Salle, provides a challenging and
students with specific learning needs.
nurturing environment for learning. In this
The David Program serves a unique
tradition, and in conjunction with the
group of college bound students with
greater Lasallian community, the staff of the
documented mild learning differences
David Program empowers each student to
in reading, writing and math, and/or
accept responsibility for his own learning
attention issues, organizational
and to achieve his fullest potential. Students
difficulties, or memory processing
are encouraged to contribute their unique
problems. The students have a scheduled
talents and perspectives to benefit the
period each day where they develop individualized strategies for academic success. Emphasis is placed on raising each student’s skill levels by focusing on problem-solving, organization, self-advocacy, and study habits.
entire school. An important component in each student’s success is the collaboration of David Program staff with other Lasallian faculty, parents, and the school administration. In keeping with Saint La Salle’s motto of “Enter to Learn,” the
The goal of the program is to help
David Program strives to teach students
each student understand his own
how they learn most effectively.
learning difference and style.
In addition, the learning specialists
The David Program continues to search
provide remediation and compensatory
for methods to meet each student’s
strategies to help the student become
personal needs. Today, some students with
an independent learner.
language processing difficulties use
assistive technology such as the Kindle’s text-to- speech option to help with reading.
“The David Program has helped me become the successful person I thought I could never have become. It has changed my life due to their help and the way they show it. They have shown how much they care about my success by being patient with me and showing me new methods to help me get a better grade. This has provided me with a good relationship with my teacher.” Harry Bonet ’11
Students are encouraged to use technology to enhance and strengthen their learning repertoire. By using appropriate accommodations and adaptive strategies, students become aware of their invisible differences and are able to turn their weaknesses into strengths.
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La Salle College High School has a long
and adapted strategies, a student with a
tradition of educating and guiding young
learning difference can grow towards
men of various abilities and backgrounds
self-advocacy and academic success.
in a challenging and nurturing environment. The David Program continues
One David Program student remarked
Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s legacy
”Saint La Salle would like the David Program
of touching the minds and hearts of
because even though he was the promoter
students by providing adaptive study
of teaching a full classroom of students,
strategies, and an understanding of
he never lost sight of the individual student’s
academic strengths and weaknesses
needs. The David Program addresses the
to increase the students sense of
individual learning styles of students.”
self-worth. Saint La Salle looked into the core of the Following the footsteps of Saint La Salle,
individual and was a hands-on teacher.
Brother Rene Sterner, FSC, President Emeritus,
He advocated the use of practical, easy to
wanted to introduce a program to enhance
implement teaching methods. He believed
the academic support given to students with
students should be taught in their native
documented learning differences. Brother
language instead of Latin, as was the
Rene knew there are lots of individuals who
custom in the 1600’s.
are very intelligent, creative, and industrious but who learn differently. He wanted capable
Saint La Salle listened to people, saw needs,
young men with problems like dyslexia and
felt compassion, and prayed to the Spirit
other learning disabilities to know that they
for guidance. He used every resource to gain
can succeed. He noted that all college and
assistance. St. La Salle believed in the
universities, even Ivy League schools, provide
intellectual and gentlemanly potential of
accommodations for students with learning
boys of all classes and backgrounds.
disabilities. Through his vision, in Septem-
He believed in the worth of each of these
ber 2002, a program to meet the needs of
young men and used insight and adaptabil-
students with mild learning disabilities called
ity to find success. Saint La Salle believed a
the David Program was launched.
man should always be growing, maturing, and developing. Through the David Program,
Named after two of La Salle College High
students learn that challenges can
School’s motivational educators, Brother
be exciting and that if they focus and stay on
David Albert, FSC and Mr. David Diehl ’55,
course nothing is beyond their capacity.
The David Program provides a daily class pe-
The David Program strives to inspire, affirm
riod for a selected number of college bound
and empower young men to discover their
students with a mild learning difference.
God-given potential and to realize that life
Through a seriousness of purpose, consistent
is an amazing journey.
effort,understanding and acceptance of a boy’s individual learning styles, strengths,
La Salle College High School David Program 4
“The David Program has meant a lot to me over the past four years. It helped my experience here at La Salle in a great way. The
counselors are very supportive and help their students to excel to their best.” Seamus Morgan ’11
“There are no words to express our profound gratitude for the staff of the David Program. I am happy to say that Malcom, with the
David Center’s assistance, exceeded all
our expectations. It is with great joy and pride that we are seeing him off to college and the next phase of his life. It is also with the greatest confidence that he knows who he is and how he can succeed academically, emotionally, and socially.” Cheryl Nichols Parent of Malcom ’11
“Without5 the David Program, I don’t think I would be anywhere near where I am today. The David Program has not only taught me educational things like healthy work habits and how to keep organized but has also taught me to be comfortable with who I am, the struggles that I have and to meet problems head on.” M a t t h e w M c C o y B r a i t h wa i t e ’ 1 1
“I just wanted to thank you for all the support and guidance you provided Andrew through the David Program. I can’t tell you how much he grew and matured academically. He gained
so much confidence and self esteem during his years at La Salle. We are so grateful for the positive impact the David Program had on him.” Betsy Whiteside Parent of Andrew ’11
La Salle College High School David Program 6
The David Program at La Salle College High School is an additional college preparatory academic support service for students with specific learning needs. The program does not ensure success through the artificial manipulation of grades. Students who are part of the David Program are La Salle College High School students and have to meet the same academic requirements of La Salle College High School. There is no
ADMISSION PROCESS Students apply for admission into the David Program at the same time they apply for admission to La Salle College High School. In addition to the regular admissions process, the following is required for admission to the David Program: a. Interview with the Director of the David Program
modification to the curriculum and the
b. Recent (within two years)
only accommodation that is guaranteed
psycho-educational or
is extended time with the appropriate
neuropsychological evaluation.
documentation. 8th Grade students who may qualify for The David Program, although not a manda-
extended time on the Scholarship/Entrance
tory four-year program, is seen as a four-year
Exam are asked to submit all appropriate
process of growth. Students develop com-
documentation at least two weeks prior to
pensatory strategies, identify their learning
the exam date to the Director of Admissions
styles, master academic tasks, and internalize
and to the Director of the David Program.
learned strategies. The ratio of students to educators is 2:1 during the academic support
TUITION AND FEES
period. The students, with their Learning
Tuition at La Salle College High School
Specialist, will use the curriculum as the focus on Metacognition (awareness of how one thinks), Academic Achievement, SelfAdvocacy, and Personal Reflection. The David Program is available for an additional fee
for the 2011-2012 school year is $17,900 for Grades 9-11 and $18,300 for Grade 12. Tuition increases approximately 4% per year.
with limited openings each year. Financial aid
Tuition for the David Program is an
is available for qualified families.
additional $7,300 per year. Financial aid is available.
“The David Program has helped me organize my time and give me the strength and courage to advocate for myself. This process has been helpful with my transition each year to a new grade. The David Center has been a place where I can feel free to talk about my questions and concerns. They have helped me to visualize material so I can remember and maintain information.” R o b e rt Su m m e r h ay s ’ 1 2
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STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT David Program Students participated in a
David Program Students were
variety of Service Activities including:
members in a number of Club and
Building Bridges of Solidarity – Bolivia
Activities including:
Junior Urban Challenge
Art Club
Student Kairos Leaders
Chess Club
Secret Santa
Chorus
La Salle Academy Tutoring
Drama and Musical Theatre
Philadelphia Urban Immersion
Stage Crew Lighting
Triest House
Film Club
Sarnelli House
Gaming Club
Saint Vincent’s Soup Kitchen
Intramurals
TechServe
Lab Managers
Summer Service Immersion Opportunities
Music Program (all levels including the Competition
David Program Students were members of sixteen different
Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and a member of the award-winning Jazz Band)
Athletic Teams including:
Respect Life Club
Baseball
Speech and Debate
Basketball
Bowling Crew
Ski Club
Cross Country
Football
Student Council
Golf
Hockey
WEXP
Lacrosse
Soccer
World Language Club
Swimming
Tennis
Wisterian
Track and Field
Water Polo
Wrestling
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STATISTICS FOR RECENT GRADUATES The Classes of 2006-2011 were accepted at over seventy different colleges and universities including: Albright College Alvernia College American University Arcadia University Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania Bridgewater College Cabrini College Catholic University of America Chestnut Hill College Curry College De Salle’s University Dickinson College Duquesne University Drexel University Drew University Elizabethtown College Fairfield University Fordham University Gwynedd-Mercy College Hofstra University Holy Cross College Holy Family University Immaculata University Indiana University of Pennsylvania Iona College Johnson and Wales University King’s College Kutztown University La Salle University Lehigh University Lock Haven University Lynchburg College Lynn University Manhattan College
Manor Junior College Marist College McDaniel University Merrimack College Monmouth University Montgomery County Community College Mount Saint Mary’s University Neumann University Niagara University Nichols College Northeastern University Paul Smith’s College Penn State University Philadelphia University Rider University Rochester Institute of Technology Rutgers University Slippery Rock College Saint Anselm College Saint Bonaventure University Saint Joseph’s University Saint Mary’s College Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania Suffolk University Temple University University of Arizona University of Hartford University of Scranton University of Tampa Villanova University Washington University West Chester University West Virginia Wesleyan College Western New England College Widener University York College of Pennsylvania
DAVID PROGRAM STAFF Mr. John Keenan ’80 Director B.A. Assumption College M.Ed. Temple University Ms. Lisa Agnew Learning Specialist B.A. Millersville University M.Ed. Arcadia University Dr. JoAnn Cohen Learning Specialist B.S. Trenton State College M.M., M.Ed. Temple University Ph.D. Union Institute and University Mr. Gerald Evans, Jr. Learning Specialist B.A., M.A. La Salle University M.S. Drexel University Mr. Joseph Glacken Learning Specialist B.S. Pennsylvania State University M.Ed. Bloomsburg State University Mrs. Dorothy Marchese Learning Specialist B.A. Houghton College M.Ed. University of Rochester
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La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham Avenue Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038 215 402 4853 phone 215 233 1418 fax keenanj@lschs.org www.lschs.org