Academic Support

A LETTER FROM THE DIRECTOR OF 

ACADEMIC SUPPORT

"All students are "fearfully and wonderfully made" (Psalm 139:14). As the director of academic support at Brentwood Academy, it is an honor to work with middle and upper school students, parents, teachers, and administrators to help each student become more independent and proficient with their academic responsibilities empowering them to reach their fullest potential. We are committed to offering various support to students throughout the school day, including A.C.H.I.E.V.E. for students in grades 6-8, as well as specialized study halls for students in grades 9-12 to ensure students gain the necessary skills to succeed at Brentwood Academy and beyond."

- KATHY BOLES  

INFORMATION ABOUT ACCOMMODATIONS

The Academic Support department handles all requests for and implementation of student academic accommodations. To receive accommodations at Brentwood Academy, a current evaluation by a licensed professional is required. The Academic Support department will then create an Academic Support Plan for the student based on this documentation.

APPROVED ACCOMMODATIONS AVAILABLE AT BA: 
  • Extended time on quizzes and tests
  • Preferential seating in the classroom
  • No scantrons. Students may indicate their answers in the test booklet
  • Lesser penalties for spelling errors (when spelling is secondary to the objective of the task)
  • Use of a simple calculator (when computation is secondary to the objective of the task)
  • Use of an electronic device for notetaking
  • Use of audiobooks (Brentwood Academy has a subscription to Learning Ally available to students who qualify)
  • Copy of class notes, outlines, and PowerPoint presentations provided by the teacher

 

ACCOMMODATION FAQs

What accomModations are approved for and offered at BA?

  • Extended time on quizzes, tests, and exams (excluding AP without approval from College Board. See FAQ below).
  • Preferential seating
  • No scantron (students may select the answer on the test or in the test booklet)
  • Lesser penalties for spelling errors
  • Use of a simple calculator
  • Use of a device for notetaking
  • Use of audiobooks (Brentwood Academy provides Learning Ally for those with qualify)
  • Copy of class notes, PowerPoint presentations, etc. from the teacher
WHat Is needed to qualify for accommodations at ba?
  • A full evaluation (psychoeducational evaluation, neuropsych evaluation, etc.) completed by a licensed professional within the last 3 to 5 years that states a learning disorder or disability may qualify a student for BA-approved accommodations at school. 
     
  • Students with a health impairment, such as ADHD, may qualify for BA-approved accommodations at school by submitting a current physician's letter within the last year that states a diagnosis from the DSM-5 (medical coding) with the student's history that shows functional limitation and accommodation recommendations such as extended time on quizzes, tests, and/or exams. 
when DO i request student accommodations?

Please submit your student's evaluation as soon as possible to be considered for accommodations at Brentwood Academy. 

WHo determines APPROVAL FOR STUDENT accommodations at ba?
The Academic Support department determines approval for accommodations by evaluating the submitted information. 
once my student is approved, what can i expect?
If a student qualifies for BA-approved accommodations, the Academic Support team will create a support plan and share it with the student's teachers and school administrators. 
will my student's information be handled IN A CONFIDENTIAL MANNER?
Yes. Once accommodations are approved, the support plan for your student will be kept on file with the Director of Academic Support and shared with your student's teachers and school administrators. 
What is needed to qualify for college board (PSAT, SAT, AP EXAMS) and act ACCOMMODATIONS?

Students receiving accommodations at Brentwood Academy are not guaranteed accommodations on standardized testing. The College Board and ACT have different accommodation requirements for students. Please familiarize yourself with the process to apply for accommodations for each test by visiting the ACT website or the College Board website

Those seeking standardized test accommodations must fill out the relevant form below and return it to the Academic Support department:

CONSENT FORM TO RELEASE INFORMATION TO THE ACT

COLLEGE BOARD CONSENT FORM FOR ACCOMMODATIONS REQUEST

What is the impact of my student receiving accommodations when applying to military academies?
If your student plans to attend a military academy, please research the specific institution's policy in regards to accommodations. 

WHAT ADDITIONAL ACADEMIC SUPPORT IS OFFERED?

 

 

OPPORTUNITIES DURING SCHOOL:

ACHIEVE Exploratory

A.C.H.I.E.V.E. is an exploratory course designed for students grades 6-8 in need of additional academic support based on testing and student performance. This exploratory helps students learn the necessary skills needed to succeed in their academic journey at Brentwood Academy and beyond. Skills taught during the A.C.H.I.E.V.E. exploratory include but are not limited to study skills, organization, advocacy, problem-solving, reading comprehension, etc. while utilizing actual course materials. Students placed in the A.C.H.I.E.V.E. exploratory will be remain in this placement the duration of the school year except for Bible exploratory.

*Placement in this exploratory will be based on standardized testing, student performance, and other factors indicating student need.

SPECIALIZED STUDY HALL

Specialized study hall is designed to help student become more independent and proficient with their academic responsibilities. All students will develop, with guidance of their academic support teacher, goals that will be reviewed and updated throughout the school year.

The Academic Support teacher will reinforce essential skills utilizing current materials and assignments, as indicated by classroom teachers, including:

  • Academic planning
  • Time management
  • Organization
  • Self-advocacy and agency
  • Study skills
  • Note-taking
  • Test-taking strategies

Students enrolled in the specialized study hall will participate annually in student-teacher conferences, along with parents, to increase independence and confidence sharing their strengths and challenges as it relates to their individualized goals.

*Placement in specialized study hall will be based on standardized testing, student performance, and other factors indicating student need. Students with and without a learning difference are eligible for this placement.

OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE/AFTER SCHOOL:

before school office hours

Teachers will be available before school beginning at 7:15 AM. Full-time teachers with a designated classroom will hold office hours in that room. Students seeking help from all other teachers should email them to determine the location for their office hours. 

Any student is able to "drop-in" for office hours to ask questions regarding course materials, seek clarity on assignments, or request assistance in understanding a specific area of the subject. 

We want all students to be able to advocate for themselves in their own learning. This prepares students for college where they are expected to utilize office hours for their professors if they have any questions outside of class. 

e3

Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:00 - 7:00 PM.

Brentwood Academy is thrilled to offer small group tutoring in various subjects to all upper school BA students needing academic support at no cost to families. E3 tutors help students strengthen their understanding of material taught in class using an array of strategies and techniques to assist with the following:

  • Quiz and test preparation
  • Writing skills
  • Homework assistance
  • Subject matter review
  • Project planning and more

If you have any questions regarding E3, please email Dr. Rochester at rene_rochester@brentwoodacademy.com 

MORE INFO

Library hours

Brentwood Academy offers an after-school study hall in the library to all middle school and upper school students whose schedules allow. The study hall is held Monday through Thursday excepting national holidays, BA holidays, and AP exam days. Hours are subject to change. 

 

After School Library Study Hall was designed for: 

1. the purpose of studying.
2. the use of digital resources (e.g. desktop and laptop computers) for research and other school-related work. 
3. completing work from a class. 
4. meeting with individual, outside tutors. 
5. reading and checking out books. 

VIEW SCHEDULE

 

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?

 

If you have any questions about academic support at BA or if you believe your student qualifies for accommodations at Brentwood Academy, please contact Kathy Boles, Director of Student Academic Support. 

EMAIL Mrs. Boles

 

For general academic questions, please contact Josh Davis, Dean of Academics.
EMAIL Mr. Davis