The Zacchaeus Program

The Zacchaeus Program  is a college preparatory program designed for high functioning students with documented learning disabilities.  Recognizing that students with learning disabilities are often excluded from parochial schools, the Zacchaeus Program helps students to understand and address their special learning needs in order to fulfill their academic, physical, artistic, social and emotional potential.  It employs a faculty team approach, small classes, multi-sensory methods that include technological academic accommodations, and individual attention.  Coursework within the Zacchaeus  Program meets the University of California A-G requirements.

Students in the Zacchaeus Program have some sheltered courses where they are in smaller classes only with other Zacchaeus students.  Zacchaeus courses are offered for four years in English, three years in Social Science, and two years in Science.  The rest of the day Zacchaeus students are mainstreamed with the rest of the student body.  Graduating students meet all of the requirements to attend a four-year college or university.

QUALIFYING FOR THE ZACCHAEUS PROGRAM

Profile of a Zacchaeus student

Professional Evaluation

Applicants to the Zacchaeus Program must submit a psycho-educational report containing a diagnostic statement that identifies a specific learning disability. The professional who evaluates the student’s eligibility and performs the testing must be licensed and/or certified in the field of learning disabilities.

Required tests:
Each student’s diagnostic report must  include at least one aptitude test and one full achievement test battery.

Mandatory Aptitude Test
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children IV or Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery III

Mandatory Achievement  Test
Wechsler Intelligence Achievement Test (WIAT II) or Woodcock-Johnson Psycho-Educational Battery III

Additional tests may include:
Wide-Range Achievement Test – III
Gates-MacGinitie Reading Test
Nelson-Denny Reading Test
Test of Written Language (TOWL)
Math Test Level (standardized)

The psycho-educational report* based on the test results should describe the student’s functional educational limitations, strengths, and weaknesses in learning and the recommended academic accommodations for the student’s specific disability.

*A psycho-educational report may take as long as six weeks to complete.  If you have not previously obtained a report, we strongly recommend that you begin the process immediately.  The report must follow the requirements above and should be no more than two years old.

Additional Requirements:
In addition to the regular student application, families must also complete a supplementary Zacchaeus application. The Zacchaeus application includes a Diagnostic Statement (to be completed by the documenting professional) and a Release of Information (to be completed by the parent.)

ZACCHAEUS COURSES

SPECIAL ZACCHAEUS EVENTS

To learn more about our program, attend our Zacchaeus Information Night on Monday, October 19, 2009 at 7 pm in the Church.  Or contact our Admissions Office for more details.

Important Dates

School News

ACADEMY WELCOMES NEW FACULTY AND STAFF

As the Academy prepares for the arrival of new students and the reappearance of returning students, the Academy also welcomes some new faculty and staff.  Joining the Academy for the 2010 – 2011 school year are:

Kelly DeBarr who will be joining the staff as a Spanish instructor, teaching levels 1 and 3.  Additionally, Kelly is interested in coaching swimming, working in Campus Ministry and involving herself with activities dealing with foreign language. 

Richard (Rick) Louie is our joining our science department.  Rick will be teaching Chemistry, Honors Chemistry, Physics and Honors Physics.  Rick comes to St. Lawrence Academy with a wealth of experience in teaching at small Catholic high schools, having worked at both Bishop Garces High School in Bakersfield and St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School in Watsonville.

Kelly Schlernitzauer has joined our front office staff as school register.  Having worked at Harker Academy for ten years, Kelly brings a wealth of front office experience to our campus.

And, Janet Yamada has stepped into the role of Development Director for the Education Center.  Janet has been a volunteer at the Education Center for a number of years.  She has a wealth of fundraising and event planning experience both here at Saint Lawrence and with her volunteer work with Girl Scouts (Troop 61331), San Jose Youth Community Service, and Suzume no Gakko, a Japanese culture program.

We welcome all of our new personnel and wish them the best of luck in the upcoming school year.

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