Learning Support

 At Penn Charter we lead students to recognize and understand their individual learning styles. The process begins in Lower School and continues in Middle School. In Upper School, the ninth grade curriculum includes a one-trimester course on learning skills that culminates with each student writing a personal learning profile. Helping students learn how they learn allows them to capitalize on strengths while developing strategies and skills in areas that present more challenge.

The Penn Charter resource team, a group that includes learning specialists and school counselors, connects and integrates support services for faculty, students, and parents.

The Lower School learning support team is comprised of three full-time specialists, each with a unique role in supporting the learning needs of students. Our learning specialist works directly with the classroom teacher, focusing on a student’s learning styles and how the teacher can deliver instruction to maximize learning. The counselor nurtures, guides, and supports the social and emotional lives of students, providing guidance in social skills one-on-one, in small groups, or with the larger classroom in conjunction with the teacher. Students can visit the Learning Center for more individualized instruction to address particular learning needs. The Learning Center coordinator provides extra support or further challenge in particular areas of the curriculum.

Penn Charter has established both a Writing Center and a Math Center for students in grades 6 through 12. Faculty and peer tutors staff each center, offering students one-on-one help on a drop-in basis or by appointment. Middle and Upper School students also may seek directed study with individual teachers for help with assignments in any subject.

The school learning specialists, counselors, and nurses work with teachers and parents to provide support for academic, social, and health needs. Middle and Upper School students can also rely on faculty advisors for help with academic or social issues. In Middle School, the homeroom teacher serves as the student’s advisor.