Student Support Services

Each division at AES has its own school counselors to support students, teachers, and families. Counselors offer a range of services that span from consulting one-on-one with students to supporting the scheduling of classes.

The school psychologist offers specialized support school-wide by implementing student support structures, conducting evaluations and assessments, offering crisis support, being a community liaison, and facilitating consultations with admissions, families, and teachers.

With a commitment to the success of all AES students, the learning support program aims to support all students with academic, behavioral, speech and language, and/or social-emotional needs. Most students receiving student support services are served in the classroom through intervention and/or collaborative practices. When enrolling new students, we take into consideration the current support needs of the target grade level and division, current staffing, and anticipated support the new student would need to be successful at AES.

AES has two speech-language pathologists who work with students directly, conduct observations, perform assessments/evaluations, and consult with teachers and families.

In alignment with the AES mission statement, the diverse and multilingual capabilities of English Language Learners are intrinsically valued. The EAL program supports language learners academically, emotionally, and socially. The program prepares students to become lifelong learners who are able to confidently apply their English skills by communicating effectively and by working collaboratively. At AES, the EAL department works in partnership with teachers to support the academic language development of all students.

 

At AES, we believe that our entire community benefits from the inclusion of students with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each student in the Extended Services Program will have an educational plan that is designed to identify their strengths and to meet their individualized academic, social, and life-skill goals. This plan will be developed by an integrated team including members of the School Administration, the Special Education Teacher, Educational Psychologist, Occupational Therapist, Speech and Language Pathologist, and School Counselor. The Extended Services Program (ESP) classroom is a purpose-built space that helps facilitate individualized academic instruction and the teaching of functional, social, and life skills.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT TYPES OF DISABILITIES CAN THE AES EXTENDED SERVICES PROGRAM SUPPORT?
Our program is designed to support students with intensive needs—intellectual or developmental—including those with disabilities such as Autism Spectrum Disorder or Down Syndrome.

DOES MY CHILD NEED A DIAGNOSIS TO BE ACCEPTED TO THE EXTENDED SERVICES PROGRAM?
Yes. Families who are applying for admission to the Extended Services Program must provide a Full Psychological Evaluation and a Speech and Language Evaluation, both completed within the last two years. The evaluation reports should include the child's specific disabilities and diagnoses. An Individualized Education Plan (IP) from the child's current school will also be required. The admissions team may request additional information as needed. The evaluations and the Individualized Education
Plan, as well as any requested additional information will provide AES the ability to determine if we can adequately support a child's specific educational and social needs. Specific areas of admissions consideration will be self-care, safety, and medical needs.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD'S SCHEDULE LOOK LIKE?
The elementary school day starts at 8:30 am and ends at 3:30 pm Monday through Friday (except for Wednesdays when school ends at 2:30 pm). Students in ESP will likely receive most of their academic instruction in the ESP classroom—ensuring the best teaching of their individualized lessons. To the greatest extent possible, all students will be integrated into their grade-level learning communities for social times such as snack, recess, and lunch. When appropriate, students will also join their grade-level learning communities for Specials such as music, art, and physical education. When ESP students join their grade-level learning communities, it will most often be with a Teaching Assistant from ESP who understands their individual needs and can provide accommodations to assist with integration. ESP students may also meet with our Occupational Therapist and our Speech and Language Pathologist if it is a part of their individualized programs.

WHAT AGES OF STUDENTS DOES THE PROGRAM SUPPORT?
We are currently accepting applications for students that will be entering Grades 1–4 for the 2023–2024 academic year.

WHAT IS THE COST OF THE EXTENDED SERVICE PROGRAM?
The Extended Services Program Fee is USD 23,000 which is in addition to the general AES tuition.

WHY IS THERE AN ADDITIONAL FEE?
As a nonprofit organization, all tuition fees and funds go directly back into the School to ensure the best quality education for our students. The Extended Services Program costs exceed those that our general tuition can cover; these additional costs include individualized educational programming created by trained professionals as well as specialized services, adaptive equipment, and purpose-built environments.

For more information about the program and how to apply, please contact the Admissions Office at [email protected].