Learning Support

Learning specialists use a consistent, three-step process—exploration, planning, and intervention—to evaluate student progress and determine next steps. This includes monitoring skill development, assessing whether strategies are effective, and identifying when additional support or evaluation may be needed.

When appropriate, specialists may recommend an outside psycho-educational evaluation. Results are used to create an Educational Learning Plan, outlining strengths, challenges, accommodations, and strategies. Plans are shared with teachers, families, and students, and supported by a collaborative student team.
 

Support is coordinated through Student Teams, which may include teachers, learning specialists, counselors, families, and outside providers. These teams meet regularly to review progress, align strategies, and adjust support as needed.

What We Offer (and What We Don’t)

We provide:
Reading and math intervention, executive functioning support, informal assessments, assistive technology, short-term counseling, and one learning specialist per division.

We do not provide:
One-on-one aides or therapeutic services such as speech, occupational, physical, vision, or cognitive-behavioral therapy. However, we help families connect with outside providers, and in some cases, services may take place on campus at family expense.
 

Each division has a counselor who provides short-term individual support, crisis response, and guidance around social-emotional development. For ongoing or specialized care, families are referred to outside providers.

What support services does Catlin offer?
We offer academic support in literacy and math, executive functioning coaching, informal assessments, assistive technology, and short-term counseling, with a learning specialist in each division.

Is Catlin Gabel accessible to students with physical disabilities?
Our campus includes uneven terrain, which may present challenges for some students. We encourage families to contact our Enrollment Team to discuss individual needs and fit.

How do you assess if interventions are working?
Learning specialists use a three-step process—exploration, planning, and intervention—to monitor progress, evaluate effectiveness, and determine next steps, including additional assessments if needed.

What happens if a student needs additional evaluation or support?
We may recommend an outside evaluation to better understand a student’s needs. Findings are used to create an Educational Learning Plan, and families may be connected with outside specialists as needed.

How do families stay involved?
Through Student Teams, families partner with teachers and specialists to review progress, share insights, and plan next steps. Meetings occur regularly and as needed.

What if my student has an IEP?
As an independent school, Catlin Gabel develops its own Learning Plans. We review existing documentation and collaborate with families to create a plan aligned with our program and resources.