Transition Learning Support Program

Your child can begin their Woodward journey in self-contained Transition classrooms in grades two through six, with an average classroom size of nine students. Teachers use multi-sensory and other specialized instructional strategies in a combination of one-to-one, small group, and whole class instruction, and place special emphasis on reading, written expression, and math skills. Your child will join mainstreamed peers in art, music, and physical education and take part in field trips as well as cocurricular offerings. 

In seventh and eighth grades, students can take advantage of Transition classes or join their mainstream peers in any combination of academic subjects: literature, English, social studies/history, math, and science. Transition classes continue to emphasize academic skills, emotional and attentional regulation strategies, executive functions, and study skills, giving your student the tools for success in college preparatory work and teaching them to be independent learners. 

Transition classes are not on a separate academic level; they’re distinctly structured classes providing specialized instruction. In a Transition class, students acknowledge their learning differences and work on their attentional and cognitive regulation. These classes are set apart by their instruction in and reinforcement of individualized, specific strategies. Curriculum is similar, often identical, to mainstream classes, and your student will be prepared to move to any course level in the Upper School. While study strategies are emphasized in all disciplines, your student also can take a Study Strategies class. The classes remain small and highly structured, with class sizes of 10 to 12. Teachers hold tutorials for one-on-one clarification and reinforcement daily, and group instruction during regular class periods contributes to growing independence. Teachers present and reinforce specific learning strategies and require students to apply organizational skills in all classes.

In the Upper School, the journey through Woodward continues in mainstream classes, while Transition students benefit from the resources of the Learning Support Center. At the recommendation of the Transition program director, Upper School students also can take Study Strategies, a semester-long course that can be repeated.

Numerous types of different learners apply and thrive in the Transition Program. It is important to note that the ultimate goal of the Transition Program is to build and remediate skills in preparation for your child to move into the mainstream program at Woodward. As the Transition Program progresses by grade level, the curriculum and materials more closely match the mainstream curriculum. As children progress, the focus of the Transition Program is more about the pedagogy and how your student is supported as a learner. What is most important for the Transition Program is that the structure and long-term goal of preparing students for the mainstream curriculum supports the cognitive and processing profile of program applicants.

In Transition classrooms, our Transition teachers are aware of your child's specific learning profile. Transition teachers are experienced in planning and delivering instruction for students with complex learning profiles. As well, the classroom experience combines an environment of sensory stimulation, while limiting distractions, interruptions, and unpredictability, with accommodations built into the structure and planned learning experience of the classroom.

The number of years your child may need the support of the Transition Program is based on their learning profile. However, most Woodward students stay in the Transition Program for three years.

We've found that often a student with a diagnosed learning difference will experience some type of impact in multiple academic areas. Therefore, in grades two through six, the Transition Program takes a holistic approach to education. This provides an on-going opportunity for teaching skills, and importantly, for monitoring the generalization of those skills in your child.

In addition to building foundational academic skills, the program also focuses on strengthening social and emotional problem solving, while molding executive functioning and independent student skills for our youngest students. 

Yes, Woodward provides accommodations—changes that remove barriers and provide a student with equal access to learning and the learning environment. Woodward accepts comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations completed by credentialed practitioners within five years for accommodations. Students also may receive short-term accommodations for medical reasons. Learn more about Woodward's Accommodations.

We know there are research- and evidence-based instructional strategies that work best for students with complex learning profiles. All Transition teachers take a multi-sensory approach to presenting information and assessing student learning. Visual supports such as graphic organizers, videos, and models are woven into every lesson. Our teachers use metacognitive modeling, mnemonic devices, and other strategies that promote working memory and retrieval. Assistive technology and other organization and visualization tools begin as teaching tools, and eventually become part of your child's independent study strategies.

Executive functioning (EF) impacts every aspect of a student’s life. In the Transition Program, we address the EF mental processes—including cognitive flexibility and regulation—while supporting the outcomes or impact, such as organization and long-term project completion. We have created a curriculum map for grades two through eight that scaffolds skills at each grade level using a variety of strategies, materials, and resources. Our Program includes specific grade-level plans that include direct instruction in appropriate executive functioning skills and generalizing the skills throughout academic day.

It's true that many schools may offer learning support, but at Woodward, our approach is unique. Students in the Transition Learning Support Program learn all their academic subjects in small classrooms with dedicated teachers who are trained to tailor instruction to your child's specific learning profile. When you couple this small academic environment with our limitless cocurricular opportunities, we truly offer the best of both worlds at Woodward!