Academic Support Program

Divine Child High School is a college preparatory school with courses ranging from AP Literature to Computer Technology to Calculus and Home Economics. We are proud to be able to offer such a wide range of courses for all students who come to our school. One aspect of Divine Child that sets us apart from other schools is our dedication to serving all students where they are, including students with learning differences and developmental disabilities. We are able to provide educational support through two different programs, the Instructional Support Program (ISP) or the Options program.

Instructional Support Program

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.

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.

The Impact of Instructional Support

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 I am today." - Cara Dunn '19

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

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.

Inquire

Apply to the program

Options Program

The Good Shepherd Options Program, made possible by The St. Margaret of Castello Grant through the Catholic Foundation of Michigan, provides students who have developmental disabilities the opportunity to participate in the typical, day-to-day aspects of Divine Child High School. Students in the Options program have an individualized course of study based on their strengths, goals and future aspirations.

While there may be some small group classes, students in the Good Shepherd Options program are included in general education classes alongside neurotypical peers. In these classes they work on modified materials and course work with the additional 1:1 support of Peer Mentors.

Upon completion of their four years of study at Divine Child, students in the Good Shepherd Options program receive a Certificate of Completion. Post secondary opportunities for students who enter into Divine Child on the Certificate of Completion track, include opportunities such as post-secondary inclusive modified college programs, enter into the district for services through IDEA, attend vocational school or enter into the workforce.

Profile of a Student in the Good Shepherd's Options Program
Be achieving on a 1st to 4th grade level in both math and reading
Can attend to daily class routines, structures and policies with the support of a peer mentor
Has independence in eating, toileting, dressing and personal care
Has a desire to attend Divine Child High School

Program Eligibility

Admissions to the Good Shepherd Options program are taken on a case-by-case basis. Students enrolling in Divine Child High School must be between the ages of 14-18. Students should not be older than 18 when entering their senior year.

Admissions Requirements and Documentation

Parent/guardian discussion
The most recent educational testing, no more than three years old
A current IEP/ISP or ICEP
Current teacher narrative
Transcript from current school
Narrative from other service providers (as needed)
Observation by Divine Child of the student in his/her current educational setting
“Shadow” Day at Divine Child

Partnering for Potential - Peer Mentors

Partnering for Potential is a peer mentoring program ran through the Academic Support Program. Peer Mentors provide 1:1 support to students in the Good Shepherd Options Program and some in the Instructional Support Program (ISP). These mentors, typically Junior or Senior students at Divine Child, volunteer one period of their day to assist their peers, focusing solely on the needs of the student they are supporting rather than taking the class themselves.

It’s a joy to witness the way students encourage and assist one another through this service leadership role. By offering their time and support, Peer Mentors exemplify Christ-like values of kindness, responsibility, and a spirit of service.

Working closely with the classroom teacher, the Instructional Support team, and the Good Shepherd Options teacher, Peer Mentors maintain ongoing communication and collaboration. They receive training at the beginning of the year and continue to receive support and guidance throughout the school year.

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