Academic Support

List of 17 frequently asked questions.

• What is the purpose of the Academic Support Program at Westminster?

  ASP is intended to teach strategies for organizing work, managing time, and improving study skills using effective learning strategies. Learning Specialists meet with students individually or in small groups. ASP is meant to be transitional, not remedial. While our Learning Specialists are a valuable resource for students, we expect students to develop skills over time and work independently.

• Who has access to the Academic Support Program?

  All of our students have access to the ASP office with appointments.

• How many times a week may a student visit the ASP, and how long are the sessions?

  On average, our Learning Specialists meet with students once a week for approximately 20 minutes.

• Are ASP meetings mandatory for students?

  Sometimes. During the course of a year, a student’s team may determine that ASP meetings are necessary for a period of time. These students are then required to attend all scheduled meetings. If they miss a meeting with their Learning Specialist, it is deemed a class absence.

• How do you match a student with a Learning Specialist?

  The student’s academic needs are considered when matching them with a specialist. We also consider the specialist’s and student's schedules.

• Who is on the Academic Support team?

  Betsy Heckman, Academic Dean

  Bill Sistare, Director of Studies (currently on sabbatical)

  Kelly Curtis, Learning Specialist and Accommodations Coordinator 

  Maya Leete, Learning Specialist 

  
  

  Your student’s advisor and classroom teachers are also included in any communication that comes from the ASP office.

• What constitutes a disability and need for accommodations?

  Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, a disability is an impairment that substantially limits a major life activity. Individuals with disabilities have certain protections and the right to reasonable accommodations that will permit equal access to programs and services. To access these rights, an individual must furnish documentation or other information that demonstrates that the disability substantially limits a major life activity and supports the need for a reasonable accommodation.

• What documentation is needed to show evidence of a disability and the need for accommodations at Westminster?

  Documentation may vary depending on the nature of the disability. Typically, this includes a complete and current copy of relevant testing, evaluation, or diagnosis of a disability. It may also include a copy of a prior IEP or Section 504 Plan. In most cases, a doctor’s note with a diagnosis can start the accommodations process, but is insufficient in itself to adequately determine a student’s needs, and further documentation such as a formal educational evaluation or assessment will also be needed. All information must be current and formal evaluations should have been conducted within the last three years.

• Does Westminster evaluate students for or diagnose students with disabilities?

  We do not. We can provide a list of outside evaluators in the Simsbury area who do academic testing. We also have a local independent Neuropsychologist who comes to the school for testing and offers Westminster students a discounted rate.

• What are the accommodations that have generally been made at  Westminster?

  Decisions regarding accommodations are made on an individual basis. Below is a list of accommodations that have been determined to be reasonable for qualifying students:

  
  

  • Extended time - 50% 
  • Preferential Seating 
  • Use of a computer for in-class writing and assessments
  • Use of a calculator 
  • Use of audiobooks, digital text, and/or text-to-speech software to access information 
  • No penalty for spelling errors when spell check cannot be used, except when the correct spelling is an essential element of the exercise, such as for foreign language learning 
  • World Language Waiver (upon approval of the Academic Office)

• When might an accommodation be considered unreasonable?

  A reasonable accommodation is one that does not fundamentally alter the nature of our programs and expectations or create an undue burden. Given the nature of our academic programs, we do not modify our curriculum or waive requirements, with the exception of foreign language requirements when appropriate.

• How is information about my child’s learning difference shared with members of their team?

  Our Accommodations Coordinator will read through your student’s educational records and create a Westminster Academic Plan that details their accommodations. This plan will be shared with your student’s advisor and teachers via email or shared on a private server. The confidential educational report will remain in the Academic Support Office. Teachers always have an opportunity to meet with our Learning Specialist if they have any specific questions about how your child learns. 

  
  

  The Westminster Academic Plan can also be used in the application process for SATs and ACTs for students seeking testing accommodations. We will also provide that documentation to your student’s future college if requested.

• Who is responsible for providing the accommodations in the classroom?

  Our classroom teachers will provide approved accommodations for your student, but it is very important for your student to advocate for themselves. They should reach out to the classroom teacher at the beginning of the year and discuss the best way to use their accommodation in the classroom.

  
  

  Students should give their teachers a 24-hour notice if they would like to use their accommodation for an extended time for an in-class assessment. When necessary, Westminster’s Academic Support team will assist instructors and students in the provision of accommodations. Accommodations may be reviewed periodically as the impact of a disability and students’ needs may change during their time at Westminster.

• Do classroom teachers offer extra help?

  Yes, our classroom teachers will offer extra help outside of class on an individual or group basis during common free time. Students need to advocate for themselves for support early to avoid falling behind. 

  
  

  Each teacher schedules their time differently; some offer “breakfast club” in the dining hall before school, schedule time at night when they are on duty, or meet with students during a mutual free block.

• What if additional help is needed?

  We have a robust peer tutoring program (Martlets Educating Martlets) here on campus. Students should contact the Academic Support office to be matched up with one of our amazing peer tutors. 

  
  

  We also have a list of experienced professional outside tutors that we can provide to families. These tutors work independently from Westminster; they have an hourly fee and handle their own schedules. Most of our professional tutors meet with students here on campus during a mutual free block, and some are exclusively online.

• Does Westminster modify graduation requirements, the curriculum, or assessments?

  We do not.

• Does Westminster provide related services (speech and language, OT, etc.) or write learning goals for students with disabilities?

  We do not.