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Differentiated Learning

kid in the classroom at their desks

Learning Support

At Evergreen Country Day our Learning Support initiative is called Summit Learning. We believe that every student is gifted. Some struggle to be challenged appropriately in just the right way at just the right time in just the right context. Some struggle with learning differences. All learn in unique ways. All journey along a circuitous path of unlocking, understanding, and unleashing their own unique gifts to share with the world.

We structure our learning support in three tiers, dependent upon a student’s needs and interests. For more information about this program, please contact our Director of Summit Learning, Shannon Milota at smilota@evergreencountryday.org.

Learning Support Tier 1

Differentiated instruction is a core part of all K-8 classroom instruction. Teachers adjust instruction as appropriate to meet learning needs. Whether it’s allowing all students to use physical counters during math or offering students choice on how they would like to present their knowledge, differentiation is built into every lesson, every day.

Learning Support Tier 2

Students with a diagnosed learning disability are supported through a Student Learning Plan (SLP) with specific accommodations for their learning needs. For example, some students may need preferential seating in the classroom, some may require extended time on assignments, while others receive notes before a lesson.

Learning Support Tier 3

Middle School students who benefit from additional support beyond the classroom receive direct learning support four times per week in lieu of Spanish instruction. This often includes extensive support for executive functioning skills. Elementary students receive pull-out support for targeted small group lessons four times each week.

Support for Gifted Students

Designed to challenge and inspire our most advanced learners, Evergreen Country Day’s enrichment philosophy ensures that gifted and talented students receive the support they need to thrive. Through in-class differentiation, small group learning, and one-on-one mentoring with specialists trained in gifted education, we create individualized learning experiences that nurture each student’s unique strengths and potential.

Enrichment Tier 1

Tier one is available to all students in their regular content classroom via classroom teacher differentiation, including in-class extension folders and differentiated assignments.  Beyond the classroom, extension opportunities are also available for all students in the form of lunch clubs, including Girls Who Code, Math Counts, and Writing Club. Additionally, all students participate in Specials and Elective classes where they can explore and extend artistic, creative, athletic, entrepreneurial, and analytical strengths.

Enrichment Tier 2

Tier two support will be offered via pull-out or push-in model with an additional teacher for those students who have demonstrated skills beyond their grade level on MAP testing or other classroom assessments, have been recommended by their teacher, and have completed a successful interview with the head of enrichment in their division. 

Enrichment Tier 3

Tier three enrichment will be considered if students have outside cognitive testing that demonstrates learning well beyond their grade level and have met the tier two prerequisites and have the executive functioning skills to manage an altered program. This could be pull-out lessons, independent study, or acceleration in grade-level or content-area, and placement will be based on enrichment team recommendations.