UNIQUE LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES
4 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
1
THE DAVID PROGRAM AT LA SALLE COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL “HAVE GREAT RESPECT FOR EACH PERSON YOU ARE WITH. KNOW YOUR STUDENTS INDIVIDUALLY AND BE ABLE TO UNDERSTAND THEM. INSPIRE AND LEAD THROUGH ENCOURAGEMENT. YOU CAN PERFORM MIRACLES BY TOUCHING THE HEARTS OF THOSE ENTRUSTED TO YOUR CARE.” Saint John Baptist de La Salle 1651–1719 Founders of the Institute of the Brothers of the Christian Schools Patron Saint of Teachers
is an academic support service for students with specific learning needs. The David Program serves a unique group of college bound students with documented mild learning differences in reading, writing and math, and/or attention issues, organizational difficulties, or memory processing problems. The students have a scheduled 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.
2 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM IS TO HELP EACH STUDENT UNDERSTAND HIS OWN LEARNING DIFFERENCE AND STYLE. IN ADDITION, THE LEARNING SPECIALISTS PROVIDE REMEDIATION AND COMPENSATORY STRATEGIES TO HELP THE STUDENT BECOME AN INDEPENDENT LEARNER. The David Program, inspired by the educational vision of Saint
Salle’s motto of “Enter to Learn,” the David Program strives to
John Baptist de La Salle, provides a challenging and nurturing
teach students how they learn most effectively. The David Program
environment for learning. In this tradition, and in conjunction with
continues to search for methods to meet each student’s personal
the greater Lasallian community, the staff of the David Program
needs. Today, some students with language processing difficulties
empowers each student to accept responsibility for his own learning
use assistive technology such as text-to-speech, audio books, or
and to achieve his fullest potential. Students are encouraged to
other options to help with reading. Students are encouraged to use
contribute their unique talents and perspectives to benefit the
technology to enhance and strengthen their learning repertoire.
entire school. An important component in each student’s success is
By using appropriate accommodations and adaptive strategies,
the collaboration of David Program staff with other Lasallian faculty,
students become aware of their invisible learning differences and
parents, and the school administration. In keeping with Saint La
are able to turn their weaknesses into strengths.
” The David Program was instrumental for our two sons, who have very distinctive learning differences that seemed insurmountable during their previous education. Their Learning Specialist in the David Program along with all of the staff at La Salle, recognized the potential in our sons and facilitated their learning accordingly.
WE ARE GRATEFUL THAT THIS PROGRAM WAS AVAILABLE TO PROMOTE THEIR EDUCATION AND PREPARE THEM FOR COLLEGE.”
Theresa McIntosh Mother of Colin ’11 and Ian ’15
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
3
4 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
La Salle College High School has a long tradition of educating and guiding young men
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
5
of various abilities and backgrounds in a challenging and nurturing environment. The David Program continues Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s legacy of touching the minds and hearts of students by providing adaptive study strategies, and an understanding of academic strengths and weaknesses to increase the student’s sense of self-worth.
Named after two of La Salle College High School’s motivational educators,
Following the footsteps of Saint La Salle, Brother Rene Sterner, FSC, President Emeritus, wanted to introduce a program to enhance the academic support given to students with
Brother David Albert, FSC and Mr. David Diehl ’55, The David Program provides a daily class period for a selected number of college bound students with a mild
documented learning differences. Brother Rene knew there
learning difference. Through a seriousness
are lots of individuals who are very intelligent, creative, and
of purpose, consistent effort, understanding
industrious but who learn differently. He wanted capable young
and acceptance of a boy’s individual learning
men with problems like dyslexia and other learning disabilities
style, strengths, and adapted strategies, a
to know that they can succeed. He noted that all college and universities, even Ivy League schools, provide accommodations
student with a learning difference can grow towards self-advocacy and academic success.
for students with learning disabilities. Through his vision, in September 2002, a program to meet the needs of students with mild learning disabilities called the David Program was launched. Mr. David Diehl ’55
Brother David Albert, FSC
6 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
Saint La Salle looked into the core of the individual and was a hands-on teacher. He advocated the use of practical, easy to implement teaching methods. He believed students should be
“SAINT LA SALLE WOULD LIKE THE DAVID PROGRAM BECAUSE EVEN THOUGH HE WAS THE PROMOTER OF TEACHING A FULL CLASSROOM OF STUDENTS, HE NEVER LOST SIGHT OF THE INDIVIDUAL STUDENT’S NEEDS. THE DAVID PROGRAM ADDRESSES THE INDIVIDUAL LEARNING STYLES OF STUDENTS.”
taught in their native language instead of Latin, as was the c ustom in the 1600s. Saint La Salle listened to people, saw needs, felt compassion, and prayed to the Spirit for guidance. He used every resource to gain assistance. Saint La Salle believed in the intellectual and gentlemanly potential of boys of all classes and backgrounds. He believed in the worth of each of these young men and used insight and adaptability to find success. Saint La Salle believed a man should always be growing, maturing, and developing. Through the David Program, students learn that challenges can be exciting and that if they focus and stay on course nothing is beyond their capacity. The David Program strives to inspire, affirm and empower young men to discover their God-given potential and to realize that
David Program Student
life is an amazing journey.
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
7
ADMISSION PROCESS 8 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
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: 1. Interview with the Director of the David Program 2. Recent (within two years) psycho-educational or neuropsychological evaluation that includes a diagnosis with the appropriate diagnostic code. 8th Grade students who may qualify for extended time on the Scholarship and Entrance Exam are asked to submit all appropriate documentation at least two weeks prior to the exam date to the Director of Admissions and to the Director of the David Program.
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
9
The David Program at La Salle College High School is an
The David Program, although not a mandatory four-year
additional college preparatory academic support service
program, is seen as a four-year process of growth. Students
for students with specific learning needs. The program does
develop compensatory strategies, identify their learning styles,
not ensure success through the artificial manipulation of
master academic tasks, and internalize learned strategies. The ratio
grades. Students who are part of the David Program are La
of students to educators is 2:1 during the academic support period.
Salle College High School students and have to meet the
The students, with their Learning Specialist, will use the curriculum
same academic requirements of La Salle College High School.
as the focus on Metacognition (awareness of how one thinks),
There is no modification to the curriculum and the only
Academic Achievement, Self-Advocacy, and Personal Reflection.
accommodation that is guaranteed is extended time with
The David Program is available for an additional fee with limited
the appropriate documentation.
openings each year.
10 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
STUDENT EXTRA-CURRICULAR INVOLVEMENT David Program students participated in a variety of service activities including:
David Program students were members of sixteen different athletic teams including:
David Program students were members in a number of clubs and activities including:
Music Program (all levels including the
Art Club
Respect Life Club
Chess Club/Chess Team
Robotics
Chorus
Ski Club
Cooking Club
Speak Up
Competition Band, Orchestra, Pep Band, and members of the award-winning Jazz Band)
Baseball
Rugby
Basketball
Swimming
Bowling
Soccer
Crew
Tennis
Cross Country
Track and Field
Philadelphia Urban Immersion
Football
Volleyball
Drama and Musical Theatre
Speach and Debate
Saint Vincent’s Soup Kitchen
Golf
Water Polo
Fencing
Stage Crew Lighting
Sarnelli House
Hockey
Wrestling
Film Club
Student Council
Gaming Club
Ultimate Frisbee
TechServe
Global Studio Club
WEXP
Triest House
Intramurals
Wisterian (School Newspaper)
Visitation Tutoring
Lab Managers
World Language Club
Elder Share Homeless Outreach Junior Urban Challenge La Salle Academy Tutoring
Summer Service Immersion Opportunities
Lacrosse
La Salle College High School – The David Program
“ALTHOUGH, IT TOOK ME SOME TIME TO UNDERSTAND HOW I LEARN AND APPRECIATE THE INSIGHTS OF THE DAVID PROGRAM, THE PROGRAM DEFINITELY HELPED ME. I WAS ALSO ABLE TO EXCEL IN MUSIC AND THE THEATRE AND I AM GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT I ACCOMPLISHED AND LEARNED.”
COLIN O’MALLEY ’15
|
11
12 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
13
STATISTICS FOR GRADUATES IN THE DAVID PROGRAM THE CLASSES OF 2006-2018 HAVE BEEN ACCEPTED TO OVER ONE HUNDRED COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES ACROSS THE UNITED STATES INCLUDING:
Albright College
Fairfield University
Lock Haven University
Rosemont College
University of Scranton
Alvernia College
Flagler College
Rowan University
University of South Carolina
American University
Fordham University
Loyola University
Rutgers University
University of Tampa
Arcadia University
Franklin & Marshall College
Lynchburg College
Sacred Heart University
University of Vermont
Bloomsburg University
Georgetown University
Lynn University
Slippery Rock College
Ursinus College
of Pennsylvania
Gettysburg College
Manhattan College
Saint Anselm College
Villanova University
Bridgewater College
Goucher College
Marist College
Saint Bonaventure University
Virginia Polytechnic Tech
Bucknell University
Gwynedd-Mercy College
Marywood University
Saint Joseph’s University
Washington University
Cabrini University
Hampton University
McDaniel University
Saint Mary’s College
Washington and Jefferson College
Catholic University of America
High Point University
Merrimack College
Shippensburg University
West Chester University
Chestnut Hill College
Hofstra University
Monmouth University
Coastal Carolina University
Holy Family University
Montgomery County
Stevens Institute of Technology
Western New England College
College of Charleston
Immaculata University
Community College
Susquehanna University
Wilkes University
College of the Holy Cross
Indiana University of Pennsylvania
Mount Saint Mary’s University
Temple University
Widener University
Curry College
Iona College
Neumann University
University of Alabama
York College of Pennsylvania
De Salles University
James Madison University
Niagara University
University of Arizona
Dewison University
Jefferson University
Northeastern University
University of Delaware
100% of the students who
Dickinson College
Johnson and Wales University
Paul Smith’s College
University of Hartford
participated in The David
Duquesne University
King’s College
Penn State University
University of Massachusetts
Program for four years
Drexel University
Kutztown University
Quinnipiac University
Drew University
La Salle University
Rider University
University of Mississippi
Elizabethtown College
Lehigh University
Rochester Institute of Technology
University of Pittsburgh
of Pennsylvania
of Pennsylvania
(Amherst)
West Virginia Wesleyan College
were accepted into a college or university.
14 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
” We could not have written a more perfect script for Matt’s time at La Salle. His first two years were not easy as he was challenged and worked harder than he ever did before; however, he discovered that there were new and different ways to learn and the David Program was helping him identify the tools that he needed. Lisa Agnew and the other learning specialists helped Matt understand he was smart and simply needed to learn a different way. After four years, Matt has learned those skills. He did the work and proved to himself that he can be successful...
La Salle College High School – The David Program
MATT WAS ACCEPTED INTO EVERY UNIVERSITY TO WHICH HE APPLIED AND RECEIVED A SCHOLARSHIP TO HIS SCHOOL OF CHOICE. HE HAS THE ROAD MAP TO BE SUCCESSFUL AND IT’S BECAUSE OF THE TALENTED PEOPLE THAT MAKE UP THEDAVID PROGRAM. AS A FAMILY WE ARE ETERNALLY GRATEFUL FOR ALL THAT THIS INSTITUTION HAS GIVEN US AND WE COULD NOT BE MORE PROUD OF OUR SON.” Joe and Ileana Shott Parents of Matt ’16
|
15
16 |
La Salle College High School – The David Program
DAVID PROGRAM STAFF Mrs. Barbara Chesnik
Ms. Lisa Agnew
Mr. Joseph Glacken
Learning Specialist
Learning Specialist
Learning Specialist
B.A. Pennsylvania State University
B.A. Millersville University
B.S. Pennsylvania State University
M.Ed. Chestnut Hill College
M.Ed. Arcadia University
M.Ed. Bloomsburg State University
Mr. John Keenan ’80
Mr. Gerald Evans, Jr.
Dr. Jessica Jefferis
Director
Learning Specialist
B.A. Boston College
B.A. Assumption College
B.A. La Salle University
M.Ed. Holy Family University
M.Ed. Temple University
M.A. La Salle University
Ed.D. Gwynedd Mercy University
M.A. Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota
M.S. Drexel University
La Salle College High School – The David Program
|
17
EXPLORE, DREAM, DISCOVER.
Mark Twain 1835 - 1910 American Writer and Humorist
La Salle College High School 8605 Cheltenham Avenue Wyndmoor, Pennsylvania 19038 215 402 4800 phone 215 233 0284 fax www.lschs.org