The Learning Center

The Learning Center’s program is highly structured to meet the specific needs of children with language-based learning challenges, and there are plenty of opportunities during the school day for TLC students to go outside to run, jump, play, build, rest, explore and discover alongside their general education peers in a wide range of engaging classes and activities.

Here is a sample schedule for elementary and middle school TLC students, noting that the schedule can vary according to the needs of the students, special events or activities, and more.

Sample daily TLC schedule:

Time	Activity
8 - 8:10 am	Opening/Community Building (whole group advisory/morning meeting)
8:15 - 9:45 am	Language Arts (reading, spelling, comprehension), Writing Workshop, Literature Study
9:45 - 10 am	Recess (with whole school)
10 - 11:15am	Multi-Sensory Mathematics
11:15 - 11:40 am	Social Emotional Learning/Maker Space
11:40 am	Lunch (with whole school)
12 - 1:15 pm 1:15 - 3:10 pm	Social Studies Elective/Enrichment Classes in Middle School with whole school (science, art, music, P.E., and drama)
3:10 pm	School Day Over
3:10 -  5:30 pm*	Extended Care (registration required)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Note: If students attend enrichment classes (science, art, music, library, P.E., and drama) in the morning, time in TLC will be made up in the afternoon.

*Optional Apple Orchard after-care until 5:30 pm, or activities such as sports clinics, Robotics, Chess Club, Math Club, and more. For Middle School grades: optional MASH after-care until 5:30 pm, or activities like no-cut team sports, Competitive Speech & Debate, Chess Club, and more.

The Learning Center’s primary function is to prepare children with strategies, skills, and confidence that will help them thrive in a general education classroom setting, either at Almaden Country Day School or in their home schools. For most children, this will require three to five years of support in TLC.

When a child is academically at grade level, can self advocate and has age-appropriate organizational skills, the teachers, student and parents will discuss the timing of a transition to general education

To support middle school students who transition out of The Learning Center into the ACDS general education program, we offer a Success elective four times per week to monitor their academic progress, provide assistance and communicate with their general education teachers as needed.

The Learning Center (TLC) provides a highly individualized instructional program for students with language-based learning differences: dyslexia (reading), dysgraphia (writing), and dyscalculia (math). Children who qualify for TLC demonstrate difficulty in reading, spelling, mathematics, handwriting, organization of written language, or any combination of these areas.

The Learning Center serves students in grades one through eight.

The Learning Center is dedicated to supporting students with language-based learning difficulties; we are not trained to serve children with other diagnoses, including emotional or behavioral disorders, Tourette’s, Asperger’s, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Developmental Delay, Pervasive Developmental Disorder, Nonverbal Learning Disorders, etc., and consequently we cannot admit them. Please see “Eligibility for Admission,” below. 

Eligibility for Admission

Admission to The Learning Center is determined based on:

(1) Successful application to Almaden Country Day School (Please check The Learning Center as the program you are applying too on the application)

(2) Results of a required psycho-educational assessment administered by a licensed educational psychologist within the past 3 years.

Please Note: The only diagnoses served by The Learning Center are language-based learning differences. However, we understand that 30% of those with dyslexia have a secondary diagnosis of ADHD. The TLC serves children whose primary diagnosis is a language-based learning difference.

TLC Application Process

1. Arrange for your child to receive a psycho-educational assessment administered by a licensed educational psychologist. We will accept assessments administered within the past 3 years prior to your application to ACDS.
    
2. Submit application to Almaden Country Day School.
    
3. Review shadow student information and schedule shadow visit.
    
4. Complete tuition support process - if appropriate.
    
5. Complete all checklist items on the application timeline.

TLC Admissions Timeline

Admission to The Learning Center is on a space-available basis and may occur at any time during the school year, once all application requirements have been met.

Tuition Support

Tuition Support is available for applicants who qualify. See our Tuition Support guidelines for more information and to start the process. 

Possible Tax Deductibility of TLC Tuition Payments

Parents should confer with their tax lawyer or accountant about the rulings and regulations of the Internal Revenue Code, along with other applicable laws, to inquire about possible tax deductibility of TLC tuition payments.

• Dyslexia Basics https://dyslexiaida.org/dyslexia-basics/
• Spelling Difficulties https://dyslexiaida.org/spelling/
• Math Challenges: Understanding Dyscalculia https://dyslexiaida.org/understanding-dysgraphia
• Identifying and Teaching Gifted Dyslexic Students https://dyslexiaida.org/gifted-and-dyslexic-identifying-and-instructing-the-twice-exceptional-student-fact-sheet/
• ADHD and Dyslexia Fact Sheet https://dyslexiaida.org/attention-deficithyperactivity-disorder-adhd-and-dyslexia/
• Testing and Evaluation for Dyslexia https://dyslexiaida.org/testing-and-evaluation/
• Recommended Reading
  • Overcoming Dyslexia: A New and Complete Science-Based Program for Reading Problems at Any Level by Dr. Sally Shaywitz
  • The Dyslexic Advantage: Unlocking the Hidden Potential of the Dyslexic Brain by Dr. Brock L. Eide