Academics
Support Program
The GRASP program meets the needs of students with diverse learning abilities so they can achieve their full potential.
GRASP, or Guidance, Remediation, and Academic Support Program, helps students develop and strengthen the academic skills necessary for independent, life-long learning. The program offers a continuum of individualized support from elementary to high school and has been designed to strengthen weaknesses in cognitive skills (i.e., memory, attention, perceptual processing, reasoning) and/or executive functioning (i.e., planning, organizing, self-regulation). All of the program's educational therapy techniques are research-based and provide students with the tools to build confidence and succeed at every grade level.
Program Highlights
List of 3 items.
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Elementary School
The elementary Guidance Remediation and Academic Support Program (GRASP) develops reading, writing, and mathematics skills through multi-sensory interventions using a pull-out model. With individual student needs in mind, GRASP Educational Therapists utilize National Institute for Learning Development (NILD) techniques to strengthen weak cognitive connections which positively impact achievement and learning in the classroom. In addition, the elementary school GRASP program offers:- Appreciation for the individuality of each student
- Multisensory approach to teaching reading, spelling, mathematics, and written expression
- Ongoing progress monitoring assessments
- Collaboration with classroom teachers
- Support and education for parents through workshops each semester
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Middle and High School
Our mission is to provide students with personalized, scaffolded academic support and to help remediate learning deficits allowing students to establish a means of independent learning. The goal is for students to generalize the strategies and skills taught in GRASP to their coursework and independent study time. In addition, the middle and high school GRASP programs offer:- Academic support built into the student’s daily schedule
- Small group concept reinforcement of grade-level content with an emphasis on strategies that match the student’s individual learning profile
- Study techniques, time management, and organizational skills
- GRASP therapists serve as liaisons for students in their core subject areas
- Support and education for parents through semester workshops
- For HS GRASP: MindPrint Learning (TM) assessment will determine cognitive strengths; study- skills strategies will be taught based on this information
- GRASP therapists promote self-advocacy skills which helps to prepare students for a successful future in all academic areas
- Academic credit for high school students
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Additional Highlights
- GRASP students utilize Learning Ally (TM) at school and at home.
- GRASP offers research-based, structured programs authored by Lindamood-Bell Learning Processes. (registered TM)
- National Institute for Learning Development (NILD) core techniques are integrated to stimulate cognitive functioning and help strengthen underlying learning processes.
- All programs are individualized and offer systematic and explicit instruction to meet student needs.
- GRASP therapists work closely with regular education teachers to support the academic needs of shared students.
- Specific techniques are used to address each area of difficulty and emphasize foundational skills in all subject areas.
- Emphasis is placed on study skills, organizational skills and time management components designed to support the development of executive functioning of the brain.
- Strategies such as goal-setting, self-monitoring, and personal responsibility are emphasized.
- Parent Coffees are held each semester to spotlight issues of interest or concern.
Admission Process
- A psycho-educational evaluation, completed within the past two years
- Approval by the Director of GRASP
*The GRASP Program is designed for students with a learning disability and/or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). The program admits students who have an average to above average intelligence as evidenced by psychological testing. This program is not for students with primary exceptionalities that are emotional, social, or medical in nature. A Westminster student with a disability does not have an individual right to receive some or all of the special education and related services that would be available in a public school under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
*There is an additional fee for the GRASP program. Click here for more details.
Have Questions About the GRASP program?
Our Director of GRASP is here to help.
Applications Now Available
For families whose children need more support than Westminster’s GRASP program can provide, Westminster now offers Westbridge Academy.
Westbridge Academy serves Christian families with children in grades 2-6 who have language-based learning challenges, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. At Westbridge, placement is skill-based, not grade-based and executive function strategies are taught and reinforced in all subjects. Westbridge is unique in that all academic subjects are taught from a biblical perspective, and students are encouraged to pursue their interests in design, robotics, and the creative and performing arts.
Visit the Westbridge Academy website to learn more. You may also contact Westbridge Director Mrs. Brenda Pedrayes at 305-432-1727.
Westbridge Academy serves Christian families with children in grades 2-6 who have language-based learning challenges, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia. At Westbridge, placement is skill-based, not grade-based and executive function strategies are taught and reinforced in all subjects. Westbridge is unique in that all academic subjects are taught from a biblical perspective, and students are encouraged to pursue their interests in design, robotics, and the creative and performing arts.
Visit the Westbridge Academy website to learn more. You may also contact Westbridge Director Mrs. Brenda Pedrayes at 305-432-1727.
*Westminster is committed to providing reasonable academic accommodations providing that the need for such accommodations is documented and the accommodations are reasonable and do not create undue hardship to the school.
Westminster Christian School, located in Palmetto Bay, Florida, is a private, college-preparatory school for children from preschool through twelfth grade.