Every student at the ASA is special. They all learn at slightly different speeds and in different ways. Recognizing this diversity of abilities and learning styles, classroom teachers normally adopt a range of different approaches, techniques and strategies in attempting to meet the academic needs of their students. Even so, some students are unable to make satisfactory academic progress without substantial additional teacher support or outside assistance. For purposes of clarification, we refer to these students as special needs children.

In some cases, the special needs of an individual student may prove so substantial that they surpass the limits of what is reasonable for an individual teacher to address, given the conflicting needs of other students they must also serve. Where an individual child's needs differ from those of the majority in the class, our faculty will endeavor to work with the student and parents to identify the best means of achieving academic goals for each child.

In certain situations the ASA will recommend the introduction of extra adult support on campus This may include out-of-class tutorials up to one period per day and/or in-class shadow teachers/aides. To ensure smooth integration with normal classroom work, the ASA reserves the right to determine the appropriateness of individual support personnel so engaged.

The ASA will make every attempt to support parents in locating appropriate tutors and/or shadow teachers. Whenever possible the ASA will make classroom space available for students who are receiving individualized support. However, all salary and other non-accommodation costs of the adult tutor or teacher will be borne by the parents of the concerned student.

The ASA reserves the right to deny admission or re-admission to any student for whom it cannot provide an appropriate educational environment. The Student Assessment Committee will make such decisions on behalf of the ASA taking into consideration prior student records, interviews with student and parents, and any medical or other input deemed relevant by the SAC or parent. For additional information regarding the ASA’s policy for special needs students, please refer to section 7.1 in the Policy Manual, available in the Library or Front Office.