The Zacchaeus Program is designed for high-functioning students with learning differences. It is designed to support the students' needs within Saint Lawrence Academy's college preparatory curriculum.
Our Educational Psychologist, Dr. Jerry Egusa, prepares a profile for each Zacchaeus student specifying each student's individual academic background, strengths and academic challenges. This profile is presented to the student, his/her parents, the student's teachers and counselor so that a team approach can employed to ensure that the student reaches his or her academic goals.
Courses within the Zacchaeus Program are University of California and California State University approved so that all students within the program have the opportunity to pursue a four-year college education if they so desire. The overall goal of the program is to help each student meet his/her academic potential while enjoying and participating in all aspects of a traditional high school experience.
Academic Support
The school provides academic support for all students through a number of different means:
- All teachers have office hours before or after school or at lunch to provide students with additional assistance. Teacher office hours are posted outside of each teacher's classroom.
- Counselors are available to parents and students for advice, for test-taking or organizational strategies, and for working on strategies to improve student academic success.
- Peer tutors are available for students who may wish the help of another student.
- Small group sessions are offered by the Counseling staff on a wide array of topics, including how to prepare for finals, anxiety/stress reduction, and more.
- The Zacchaeus Program Liaison, Mr. Michael Seidler, will meet with Zacchaeus students on an ongoing basis to ensure that students' needs are being met.
Transition to College
The school's four-year counseling program supports Zacchaeus students in their transition to college. Counselors are available to meet with students and/or their families throughout the school year to help them with the transition to college. Resources are available in the Counseling Center so students can research which colleges have academic support programs. The Zacchaeus Program Director completes all necessary paperwork for the student to continue to receive his/her accommodations at the college level.
Like all students at Saint Lawrence Academy, Zacchaeus students are provided with all the information and resources necessary to navigate the college application process. In addition to counseling presentations, there are visits with college representatives, guest speakers, and small groups sessions on college-related topics. Students are provided with a packet of information on requesting letters of recommendation and transcripts.
National Testing Accommodations
The school will work with families on the necessary paperwork to be granted extended time or other accommodations on the SAT and/or ACT tests, the PLAN or PSAT tests, and/or college placement tests. Families must be aware of deadlines for these tests so that all paperwork is submitted in a timely fashion.
Faculty
All faculty members come in contact with Zacchaeus students on a daily basis. Whether they are teaching a specific Zacchaeus course or one of our mainstream classes, all faculty member have Zacchaeus students in their classrooms. Each teacher of a Zacchaeus student receives a profile of the individual teacher who outlines their specific learning strengths and weaknesses and the accommodations to which they are entitled. Accommodations, may include but are not limited to, extended time, preferential seating, note cards for some tests and quizzes (determined on what is being tested), calculators, use of a computer, recorder.
It is important to note that our teachers are not special education teachers. Teachers have had training through their credential programs, guest speakers, or special training workshops but their primary background is secondary teaching.
Parent Resources
There is a bi-annual Zacchaeus Information Night each fall to explain the resources which are available to students and to answer questions which parents might have about the program.
Parents are encouraged to share with the school any resources, workshops, etc. which they know about so we can pass these resources on to our entire Saint Lawrence Academy community.
Other Resources
All students will have access to computers for classroom and, when appropriate, testing needs. Students should access the programs on their computers, such as Inspiration, to help with their academic and organizational needs.
Zacchaeus students will have access to Echo Smartpens, technology which will allow students to record and transcribe notes.
Students are encouraged to use Books on Tape to supplement their reading of books. Families may purchase audio books, check them out from their public library, or access resources by becoming members of Learning Ally or the Parent Education Network.