Student Support Services

Some students may require additional support services to be successful at the American School of Paris. Academic, Language and Counseling services are available to those students who require addidional support.

Although we make every effort to serve students‘ individual needs, our programs are designed for those students who can function in the mainstream classroom.

We provide individual support, including testing accommodations; however, all students are expected to achieve within the regular curriculum and we do not make any modifications to it.

Student Support Services include:

1. Special Learning Support
2. English as an Additional Language (EAL)
3. Counseling Support
4. Students helping students

Special Learning Support

The American School of Paris accepts students with mild learning disabilities who are able to succeed in a mainstream classroom in the context of a college preparatory program. Special support services are available for students with officially documented learning differences, both those currently enrolled at ASP and new students. Typically students receive support in a pull-out, small group or individual model for academic support needs. Students in grades 1-5 may receive up to 190 minutes per week and students in grades 6-12 may receive up to 90 minutes per week.

Students who meet one or both the following criteria may be enrolled in the Special Learning Support Program:

1. The student has had a thorough psycho-educational evaluation that indicates learning difference. Normally, such an evaluation will include the WISC, or its equivalent, and accompanying achievement tests. Retesting will normally be required every three years or in cases where the Learning Specialist requires more information about the student’s learning difference to provide accurate support.

2. The student’s classroom achievement and performance does not satisfactorily meet ASP’s curricular standards. In the Upper and Middle Schools, typically, the student also has standardized test scores (where available) that are low relative to ASP’s population.

In cases where there is no psychometric testing but where the school suspects that there may be a learning difference, the school can require such testing as a condition for admission or for re-enrollment. ASP will assist with referrals for testing.

The decision as to which students are eligible for, or indeed will be required to participate in the Special Learning Support Program is made by division directors in consultation with appropriate school personnel.

Students who have not been diagnosed with learning differences but who are struggling with specific skills in literacy and math are provided with individual and small group instruction in those skills until they demonstrate the ability to achieve with the rest of the class.

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English as an Additional Language (EAL)

Students whose native language is not English, and who are not proficient speakers of English, receive support through our EAL program.

A team of teachers provides these students with small group instruction, in close coordination with the regular classroom teacher.

ASP accepts students with no prior education in the English language up to grade five.

In grades 6-8 we accept students with lower levels of proficiency providing them with additional support for English and/or Social Studies within their daily schedule. The level of support will be decided from a proficiency test taken as part of the admissions process.

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Counseling Support

At ASP we recognize that students often need additional support to help them cope with the move to a new school.

In addition to traditional support for the emotional needs of students, our Counseling Department addresses issues such as bullying, third culture students, and adolescent problems.

We refer more serious, health related issues to English speaking and other specialists within the Paris community.

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Students Helping Students

In a more informal way but central to the ASP core values, older students are encouraged to work with the Student Support Services team to assist their younger fellow students with their work.

This sort of student involvement helps develop empathy and understanding of other people's learning styles and builds a caring community for learning.

If you are a student at ASP and would like to volunteer with the Student Support Services contact Janet Stettner: jstettner@asparis.fr

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