Enrichment Center for (ACE)

The Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) celebrates and cultivates neurodiversity at Rocky Hill Country Day School. In small groups and one on one sessions, ACE teachers support students to develop skills and strategies to become independent, confident learners, and self-advocates. ACE teachers also work collaboratively with teachers on strategies to support all students in their classes.

Helen Dembinski Director of Academic Center for Enrichment

The Academic Center for Enrichment (ACE) Program has served the Rocky Hill Country Day School community for over 30 years. The goal of the ACE Program is to celebrate and support the neurodiversity on our campus. To align with this goal, last school year, the middle and upper school program moved classrooms out of the former stand-alone building located in the middle of campus directly into each division. This relocation has increased the visibility and effectiveness of the program and allowed ACE teachers to offer drop-in times for students,

6 Resources RHCD offers our neurodiverse students:

1. Academic Center for Enrichment Program (ACE) - RHCD supports the learning styles of every student!

2. Project-Based Learning - Students are encouraged to engage deeply in content areas and follow their interests. (Particularly supported through our “intensives” schedule in the Upper School)

3. Passionate Teachers- Our teachers celebrate and support the different ways their students learn through engaging lessons, differentiation, and accommodations.

4. Small class sizes - Our Mariner students are seen, known, and understood.

ACE Highlights 2022-23:

• Office relocation inside each Division to better serve our ACE students, collaborate with teachers, offer drop-in times, and fulfill our mission to provide support to the entire Rocky Hill student population!

• ACE and Equity and Belonging collaboration with ACE parents joining student affinity spaces and gatherings.

• Ongoing professional development on differentiation and the neuroscience of learning, including:

• Faculty development in Upper School on differentiation

• Faculty development in Middle and Upper School on writing effective comments for neurodivergent students

• ACE progress reports revamped to support resilience and growth mindset

• Hosted ACE ‘Family Coffee Hour’ to foster connection and conversation

ACE gatherings offered to RHCD families:

Topic: Project Zero 9 Discussion Starters for Parents

October 19th, 2023

Topic: Celebrating and Supporting Neurodiverse Children

November 17th, 2023

*Special Guest Speaker: Helping Your Family’s Emotional Health: Practical Solutions for Managing Worry, Enhancing Flexibility, and Creating Wellbeing, speaker Lynn Lyons

Helen Dembinski Director of Academic Center for Enrichment

easily collaborate with colleagues, and expand opportunities to support all learners. ”It’s a lot easier to access because if you need help you can just come in, and if there are tests it’s just right here so you can always ask for anything,” says junior Annabell. “I also like the ocean view!” adds classmate Elizabeth.

5. Mindfulness curriculum- Teachers and students engage in mindfulness practices to develop concentration, compassion, and calm. Mindfulness is shown to be particularly beneficial to students with ADHD and anxiety to help quiet and focus the mind.

6. Beautiful Campus - Our students have frequent opportunities to engage in the outdoors (and it’s proven that nature and green spaces can improve your overall mood!)

For more information visit the Academic Center for Enrichment webpage