Instructional Support Program (ISP)

Divine Child High School’s Instructional Support Program (ISP) provides academic interventions and accommodations to students with diagnosed learning differences, allowing them to receive a high-quality Catholic education while optimizing their ability to learn and achieve.

We believe all families who desire a Catholic education for their child should have the opportunity to be a member of our school community and receive the same excellent education regardless of diagnosed learning differences.

Divine Child has been a pioneer and leader in developing an ISP in the Archdiocese of Detroit to support the diverse needs of all students. In the last decade, our program has grown exponentially to meet the expanding population of students in need of academic interventions and accommodations.

Our ISP currently serves more than 100 students, comprising almost 15% of the overall student population (or, 1 in every 7 students), which aligns with the national average of students receiving these services.

ISP students are very diverse. Many take Honors or AP classes and/or graduate at or near the top of their class, frequently going on to receive academic, athletic, and performance scholarships to notable institutions.

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How the ISP Serves Students

ISP students learn to be self-advocates and independent learners through excellent instruction and support in the classroom, and during individualized time with the Instructional Support Staff.

The ISP’s Instructional Specialists teach using a variety of visual, auditory, kinesthetic, and tactile techniques, and guide students through exploration of these styles in order to identify which one best corresponds with their learning preferences.

We understand that each and every student learns differently, and we embrace the fact that they require evidence-based intervention to ensure that they are maximizing their ability to achieve at an optimal level. As such, the ISP offers three, tiered levels of intervention, depending on the individual student’s learning difference and a variety of other factors.

Tier 1 provides the lowest level of intervention for students with mild learning differences with assistance provided by the student’s counselor.

Tier 2 provides an intermediate level of intervention for struggling students who have an individualized academic accommodation in a particular subject area or areas.

Tier 3 provides the highest level of ISP intervention, and is primarily for students who receive individualized academic accommodations in more areas and need a greater degree of assistance.

Program Eligibility

To be eligible for the ISP, students must be professionally diagnosed with a learning difference and have an Individualized Education Plan (IEP)/Non-Public Service Plan (NPSP) or a 504 Plan.

“Learning difference” refers to the diverse ways that all students learn and the rates at which they learn, taking into account individual learning motivators, learner aspirations, interests, experience and cultural background, and the individual student’s strengths and needs.

Our program commonly supports students diagnosed with:

ADD/ADHD

Executive Function

Dyslexia

Dysgraphia

Dyscalculia

Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NVLD)

Social Communication Disorder

Anxiety/Depression

Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Program Services

Tailored, In-Class Interventions

The ISP helps to support content-area teachers with their implementation of personalized and student-centered teaching practices provided by all classroom teachers at DCHS. These interventions are designed to ensure that ALL students, especially those who learn differently, are able to respond and connect with daily instruction in every classroom.

ISP "Seminar" Classes

The ISP provides two separate Freshman and Sophomore Seminar classes that are offered for freshman and sophomore students who need additional support in the areas of organization, executive functioning, time management, and self-advocacy.

ISP Summer Session

To prepare our students for the rigors of freshman year, the ISP offers a four week “ISP Summer Program" designed to help students with skill building, including iPad use, organizational skills & metacognition, time management, note-taking strategies and study skills, test-taking strategies, and literacy/math readiness.

Individualized Accommodations

The ISP provides, for qualified students, individualized accommodations delivered by the Instructional Specialists within the Instructional Support Room (room 106). These accommodations are designed to ensure that the students within the ISP are able to respond and access the daily instruction and assessments in every classroom. Each student in the Instructional Support Program has an individualized “Building Accommodation Plan” that lists and explains the specific accommodations that he/she receives in order to meet his/her full learning potential.

After School Office Hours

The ISP provides students with an opportunity to work independently, with other students, or with the Instructional Specialists in order to complete assignments, receive individualized help with homework, create study strategies for upcoming assessments, and receive organizational assistance. These Office Hours operate from 2:30 to 4:00 every Monday through Thursday and are open to all of the students within the Instructional Support Program.

The Impact of Our Program

The ISP makes a lifetime of impact on students in the program. We help students break down barriers and provide them with the resources they need to achieve higher education goals. Many of our students not only attend their dream college, but also receive academic, athletic and performance scholarships.

“Divine Child High School’s Instructional Support Program gave me a built-in community, a new found confidence, and the ability to problem solve and advocate for myself. Without the ISP I don’t think I would be the same student that I am today.”

Cara Dunn '19

Divine Child High School

Alumna & Former ISP Student

Saint Mary's College

Class of 2023