Saint Mary's Program
The Saint Mary’s Program (SMP) is a college preparatory program for highly motivated students with mild learning disabilities and behaviors. Rooted in the mission of The Academy of the Holy Cross, SMP enhances and enriches each student’s unique abilities.
Program Format
SMP is designed to support students through structured academic support, skill development and guided accommodations, while maintaining the academic integrity and expectations of a Holy Cross education.
Academic accommodations provided through SMP support how a student learns with adjustments in timing, formatting, setting, scheduling, response, presentation, or a combination of these, not through modification of curriculum.
SMP enhances student understanding and learning through a designated class period with structured lessons to strengthen executive functioning, study skills, learning strategies and theory, memory, and daily planning.
Saint mary's Support Encompasses:
- Development, coordination and facilitation of a formal educational profile that outlines reasonable academic accommodations for learning and assessments
- Lessons focused on executive functioning, planning, prioritization and organization
- Individual and small group support
- Facilitation in understanding of individual learning profile
- Enhancement of skills and strategies to enhance higher level thinking and applications
- Enrichment of foundational and functional skills encompassing writing and math
- Augmentation of study strategies and test taking strategies
- Access to resources and technology supports to enhance learning, understanding and progress
- Support of self advocacy and communication skills
- Consultation with School Counseling in support of the whole student
Saint Mary's
Application Process
To be considered for academic accommodations supported through SMP, you will need to proceed with the following:
✓ Submit an application for admission to The Academy of the Holy Cross and indicate on the application you are requesting Academic Support
✓ Submit your daughter’s most recent (within 3 years) comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation
- A cognitive assessment (WISC or similar),
- An academic achievement assessment (Woodcock Johnson, WIAT or similar)
- A detailed narrative with history, background and explanation of tests administered
- Diagnosis of a specific learning disability or diagnosis that impacts learning and academic progress
- Recommended academic and standardized testing accommodations
✓ Submit your daughter’s CAP, IEP, 504 Plan or related formal educational plan that outlines academic accommodations for 8th grade
✓ Submit any previous psychoeducational or neuropsychological assessments for your daughter
✓ Meet and interview with the Director, SMP, and SMP Learning Specialist, and Admissions team
We look forward to meeting you and sharing more about SMP and how we may support your daughter’s learning and progress within The Academy of the Holy Cross.
If documentation for SMP (including a recent psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation) is submitted after the time of acceptance and enrollment, review and a decision on this program will not be made until the second semester of your entry year.
Saint Mary's Program Team