Learning Support

Services for Students With Special Needs

As part of our commitment to help students achieve academic success, Christopher Columbus High School has an on-staff Learning Specialist who works closely with families whose children have unique learning needs. All requests for accommodations will be considered on a case-by-case basis by Columbus’ Learning Specialist Ms. Betty Vinson, who works in partnership with CCHS administration to ensure appropriate compliance and follow through with special learning plans are created for students in need.

Educational Support Via:

Coordinating curricular development for students with varying exceptionalities
Reviewing all psycho-educational evaluations and Individual Educational Plans (IEP) and acting as liaison between students and teachers to assure that all accommodations are being appropriately executed
Working along with department heads and teachers to assist in the implementation of curriculum
Observe students in classroom settings based in teacher’s request to help with appropriate practices
Meet regularly with students of designated groups to address academic issues and concerns
Provide the maximum level of support for students utilizing all resources (study hall, peer tutoring, etc.) provided by Columbus

Guideline & Accommodation Requests

All requests for accommodations must be accompanied by a recent (within 3 years) psycho-educational evaluations and Individual Educational Plans (IEP). The assessment and the request should be sent to Ms. Betty Vinson. Accommodations will not be granted without submission of professionally administered assessments.

Desmond Family Success Center

Guided by the Marist Brothers of the School, the Desmond Family Success Center serves as a cross-area initiative that meets the evergrowing needs of our diverse student body. Our mission is to cater to the whole student through all-inclusive wraparound services, which equip our students with the necessary skills, resources, and support to become young men of character in the classroom and the community.

CONTACT:

List of 2 members.

Ms. Beatriz Vinson

Director, The Desmond Family Success Center

ext. 2231
Ms. Denise Ramirez

Test Accommodations Coordinator

ext. 2296

What to Expect

List of 4 items.

Freshman Year

Making the transition from middle to high school can be an exciting, albeit intimidating process. Often times the student body at Columbus is larger, and some Explorers feel lost. For others, the surroundings might be the same, but the academics are challenging and the expectations are much higher.

We advise all Columbus students to explore everything and not to worry about college admission outcomes just yet – this way their passions are more personal and not just for a college application down the road.
Sophomore Year

Sophomores will hear about the PSAT/Pre-ACT and will need to prepare. Both tests give you a good gauge to see where each Explorer stands before junior year.

During sophomore year we also start to introduce Explorers to different types of colleges, as well as what colleges look for to evaluate whether applicants are a good fit.
Junior Year

Junior year is a decision and planning period. Each Explorer should be thinking about and getting a head start on college applications, which will be here before you know it.

PSAT results are known and each Explorer should start to sign up for the SAT/ACT. It is important to schedule the first SAT early enough to take it more than once if needed.
Senior Year

Senior year is action time. This is the year each Explorer will apply and be accepted to colleges!

College Applications
The summer before senior year, we ask the each Explorer start gathering his application materials. In the fall, he should start asking teachers for recommendations, and finalizing paperwork and transcript with the Center for College & Career Guidance.

Testing
If you’re not happy with your SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores, take the tests one final time in fall!