Academic Support

List of 4 frequently asked questions.

• What Is Our Approach?

  Because each student has their own learning style, the staff in the learning center use a student-focused approach to learning. While the staff is readily available for assistance, students are expected to advocate for themselves and identify their academic needs on a daily basis -- both the learning center and in their core classes. Study skills and organizational strategies lessons are embedded in his day-to-day goals. With the knowledge that some students acquire and process information differently, the learning specialist reviews each student’s file and forms a Riverside Learning Plan for implementation by his teachers across the curriculum. Students are made aware of the accommodations available to them and are expected to communicate with teachers and speak for themselves to get their needs met. Because our students with learning differences are regular students first, teachers are encouraged to make only the accommodations necessary for the student to succeed in their class. As a result, our students become independent learners who navigate through life successfully.

• Does Riverside Prep Provide Accommodations?

  Riverside will provide certain accommodations that are in line with the expectations of a college preparatory program. Students who have previous documentation in the form of an IEP, 504, or an Educational/Psychological Evaluation are eligible for these accommodations, however neither grading nor academic expectations are modified. Because our goal is for all cadets to be candidates for college acceptance, modifications to curriculum, assignments, and tests are discouraged. In order to prepare our students (with learning issues) for college, they are required to complete the same quality and quantity of work assigned to their peers. The learning center personnel strive to work collaboratively with students, teachers, school counselors, and parents to ensure that all students with the potential to meet Riverside’s rigorous academic standards can achieve academic, social, and personal success.

• What Can We Provide?

  The Mac and Sue McLendon Student Success Center provides a wide range of small group support and services. Cadets with documentation of diagnosed learning differences are evaluated and observed on a consistent basis to identify their individual academic and social needs. With this knowledge, the staff in the learning center is able to provide the following:

  • A thorough and comprehensive analysis of the documentation submitted in order to develop a Riverside Accommodations Plan for implementation in all of the cadet’s classes
  • Development of strategies tailored to each cadet’s learning style
  • Consistent communication with teachers, parents, counselors and the cadet’s TAC officer
  • Coaching to help cadets learn essential academic skills and become effective self-advocates
  • Submit the necessary documentation to request accommodations on the ACT and the SAT
  • Workshops to strengthen organizational, study, time management, and test-taking skills
  • Parent education and support
  • Remediation of skills and subject content support
  • Recommendation for outside Psycho-Educational testing and related academic services to include peer tutoring, fee-based professional tutoring during after-school hours, and consultation with outside counselors to carry over targeted social strategies
  • Supervised evening and weekend study hours
  • Provide services that are available in many schools and highly selective colleges and universities
  • Weekly monitoring of grades and behavior to identify problematic areas and set goals for each cadet. Parents are kept abreast of critical grades and subsequent plans for action

• What’s In It For My Student?

  At Riverside Prep, we are committed to the academic, personal, and social success of each student. For us, it is not enough to simply deliver academic material. Relationships between cadets and teachers are key to a successful boarding school environment. Ultimately, it is these relationships that enable each student to flourish and develop the appropriate skills to go out into the world and make a difference.

  Our goals are:

  • To assist students as they learn and develop strategies in accordance with their learning style
  • To encourage students to be independent, confident learners who advocate on their own behalf for appropriate support, services, and/or accommodations
  • To provide opportunities for students to develop positive self-awareness and a willing attitude toward learning
  • To help students acquire effective organizational, time management, and study skills that will carry over to their post-graduation plans
  • To foster a positive and encouraging climate in the learning center so that students can learn and grow to be both successful and accomplished adults ready to meet and navigate the intricacies of our society today.