Student Support Services

The AC is open to all students throughout the school day, as well as after school on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays. Students may also make an appointment to utilize the AC before school or after school on Wednesday or Friday afternoons by emailing the Achievement Center Director. The AC has designated spaces for tutoring, completing assessments, or study.

Students are permitted to meet with school-approved professional adult tutors during the school day. Acceptable times include before and/or after school, lunch period, Thursday flex period, and during their regularly scheduled Study Hall. The Dean of Student Support can provide tutor recommendations, if needed. Contractual tutoring agreements are between the family and the tutor. As such, payments from the family are made directly to the tutor. SJCS does not bill students for professional tutoring services.

Knights Success is a support program that meets two days per week. It is available to seventh and eighth graders who are referred by their teachers and/or administration. The course replaces one related art rotation per week.

Freshman Focus is a program that aims to support at-risk ninth graders with the transition to High School. The course meets daily and is available to those students referred by their teachers and/or administration. Students receive a half elective credit for each semester they are enrolled in the program.

Identified students meet with a Learning Specialist a minimum of twice per quarter to facilitate the learner’s growth and achievement.  Participation requires a referral from a teacher or administrator to the Dean of Student Support.

Academic Success serves students who desire additional academic support in their core classes. Class time is designed to facilitate students’ continued development of academic and organizational skills and to guide each student individually as he/she becomes a more independent learner. Elective credit towards graduation requirements is offered for this class.  Students participating in the 2 day per week program earn ½ unit per year.  Those participating in the 4 day per week program earn 1 unit per academic year. 

The Aquinas program is available to students with one or more learning differences. A psychoeducational evaluation completed within the past three years is required before a student can be considered for Program eligibility. Once enrolled, an updated evaluation is required every three to five years. There are two tiers of support within the Aquinas Program:

Accommodation Plan Only – Eligible students receive classroom accommodations designed to meet the student's individual learning needs. Students are required to meet with a Learning Specialist at least once per quarter. Parents should contact the Dean of Student Support to initiate an Academic Accommodation Plan.

Aquinas Instruction – Students with an Academic Accommodation Plan in grades 6 through 12 are eligible to register for a class period of Aquinas, and students fully enrolled in Aquinas receive one credit per year towards graduation requirements. Students meet four days per week with a Learning Specialist who focuses on helping each child with his/her individual learning needs. Please contact the Dean of Student Support for enrollment information.