The Academic Support Center
R.J. Grey JHS | Acton-Boxborough Regional HS
The Academic Support Center (ASC) is a regular education program that provides students with extra time, attention and strategies to succeed with their class work. ASC staff meet regularly with classroom teachers to align the academic support with the Grade 7/8 curriculum. In small group and/or individualized sessions, the staff provides assistance with
- Reading comprehension
- Writing assignments
- Clarification of concepts taught in class
- Study skills
- Test preparation
- Time management
- Organization
Eligibility
- Any 7th or 8th grade student who is recommended by the Child Study Team
- Students with a 504 Accommodation Plan
- Incoming 7th Graders who are referred by teachers and counselors in grade 6
- All ELL's (English Language Learners)
Useful Facts
- Students attend the ASC during non-core academic classes
- ASC is available 7 periods per day
- ASC is a short or long term support program
- ASC is replete with reference materials, study guides and computers
- SuccessMaker, a computerized learning program is installed on 6 computers
- ASC has extensive resource materials for our ELL population
- Slovakian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Korean, Russian, Portuguese and Spanish
- are spoken by our ELL students
- Twi is written by our Ghanaian student
Acton-Boxborough Regional High School
Welcome to the Academic Support Center at the Acton-Boxborough Regional High School. The ASC offers help to students during the school day, and this support is provided by adult staff and peer tutors.
The Academic Support Center was created by Acton-Boxborough Principal, Steve Donovan, in 1994. In addition to a staff of three adults, approximately 45 student tutors have been approved by faculty. The tutors have been trained by ASC staff to help peers improve their understanding of academic subjects and develop their organizational skills.
Who attends the Academic Support Center?
Students of average to above average intelligence who require re-explanation of course content and need to develop study strategies and organizational skills attend the ASC. These students are self-referred or are referred by teachers, parents, and/or school counselors. The current population includes: ESL students; students who have requested academic assistance; 9th grade students who require a structured study; students who need an alternate test site; identified special education students; and students transitioning into or out of special education. The emphasis is on acquiring strategies and study skills in conjunction with assigned work. Students may sign up at any time and continue for as long as they need assistance.
How does the program work?
In small group and /or individualized sessions, adult staff and tutors provide support in:
- goal setting
- development of organizational and time-management skills
- study and test-taking strategies
- clarification and reinforcement of concepts taught in class
- organization of writing assignments
- assistance with word processing
- adaptation of materials as appropriate
ASC students do not receive a grade or credit for participation in the ASC, but do receive progress reports which address students' goals. They are sent home to parents each marking period.
Peer tutors are trained to work with students in specific subject areas and communicate with their tutee's classroom teacher through monthly check-ins at school and with parents through quarterly progress reports sent home. Tutors receive community service credit based on the number of sessions they tutor.