Learning Skills Program

Kents Hill School’s Learning Skills Program provides academic and organizational support to students who would benefit from extra scaffolding around issues such as time and materials management, study skills, and confidence-building in the academic realm. The Learning Skills Program pairs students with Learning Specialists who are fully committed to ensuring that students thrive in all aspects of school life and are prepared to tackle college and beyond with self-confidence, self-determination, and self-advocacy.

To best fit the needs of individual students and their families, the Learning Skills Program offers two levels of support. Level 1 Support provides private, one-on-one sessions; three formal meetings with a Learning Specialist each week; and an individualized learning plan focused on strengths, opportunities, and feedback. Level 2 Support provides small-group sessions based on common learning profiles; three meetings with a Learning Specialist per week; and an individualized learning plan. Additional fees apply for both levels of the Learning Skills Program. Please consult the Admissions Office for specifics.

Feedback and Growth

By pairing executive function strategies with regular feedback from teachers, coaches, dorm parents, and trusted adults, your Learning Specialist is able to monitor your growth and offer targeted support. In addition, they’ll help you build critical competencies including time management, test-taking strategies, study skills, organization, and more.

Students enrolled in the Learning Skills Program do not need a diagnosed learning difference. Instead, spaces are reserved for those who are looking to reach new levels of academic and personal achievement. Students with educational testing, however, should submit documentation in order to secure accommodations in classes, in the community, and on standardized testing.

The energy and time that adults put into the kids here are substantial and genuine and you can really feel that. What we do is we provide Academic Coaching. Similar to an athletic coach, we are trying to train kids to be effective learners.

Trevor Slater, Learning Specialist

Reach New Heights

We believe that with the right people, and in the right environment, you will accomplish extraordinary things. Kents Hill School’s Learning Skills Program pairs you with an adult mentor who is fully committed to ensuring that you thrive in all aspects of school life and are prepared to tackle college and beyond with self-confidence, self-determination, and self-advocacy.

Our comprehensive, holistic approach to development balances curriculum-based tutoring with social-emotional awareness, problem-solving skills and strategies, and communication tools. You’ll approach projects and planning with confidence as your Learning Specialist guides you through four questions:

1) What do you have to do?

2) How are you going to do it?

3) How can I help support you?

4) How am I going to know when it is done?

Kents Hill Learning Skills Program Curriculum

The Learning Skills Program at Kents Hill School is an Academic Support program focused on helping students increase their confidence and reach their potential as learners. The work we do in the learning skills program reflects Kents Hill School’s 4D Academic Curriculum which stresses the importance of knowledge, skills, character, and reflection.

Knowledge

The Learning Skills Program helps students more confidently acquire knowledge in their content courses. During our LC period, we will often review content from classroom teachers. We will also help students organize the content from their classes through the introduction of writing and note-taking templates, reading comprehension strategies, and test-taking techniques. With an increase in organizational strategies, students feel more motivated, focused, and confident in approaching their classes.

Skills

The Learning Skills Program is committed to teaching skills that will help students both during their tenure at Kents Hill School as well as in their future academic endeavors. Increasing mastery of study and organizational skills will improve a student’s attention, effort, motivation, and emotional state. Our curriculum teaches study skills in the following areas: time management, materials management, reading comprehension, note-taking, and test-taking. Listed below are examples of curricular study skills:

Time Management Skills

Goal Setting
Using a Planner (Paper or Electronic)
Using Google Calendar
Prioritizing Work
Checking Assignments
Reflecting and Adjusting
Focusing on One Task at a Time

Materials Management Skills

Master File
Binder/Notebook Organization
Backpack Organization and Clean-Out
Desk Organization
Color Coded Files

Reading Comprehension Skills

Identifying Text Sections, Study Aids, and Formatting of Textbooks
Pre-Reading Textbooks
Highlighting Textbooks
Annotating Textbooks
Skimming for Review in Textbooks
Paraphrasing Sentences in Textbooks
Paraphrasing Paragraphs in Textbooks
Using Visual Supports Such as Charts, Maps, and Graphs in Textbooks
Summarizing Orally
Summarizing in Writing
Developing Strategies for Monitoring Comprehension
Establishing a Purpose for Reading
Developing an Individualized Active Reading Plan-SQ3R
Identifying the Author’s Purpose and Audience

Note-Taking Skills

Cornell Method
Mapping
Outline
Charting
Sentence
Listening Strategies
Concept Maps
Taking Notes During a Lecture
Two Column Notes

Test-Taking Skills

Memorization Techniques
Summary Sheets
Categorizing and Labeling Information
Four Days/Four Ways
Studying with a Partner or Group
Graphic Organizers
Long-Term Preparation
Study Schedule
Answering Different Types of Questions
Exam Preparation

In addition to the above curricular skills, the Learning Skills Program focuses on teaching the 21st century skills of communication, collaboration, creativity and critical thinking.

Communication: Students will be given instruction and support in developing communication skills such as presenting orally, expressing themselves through writing and advocating for themselves with teachers and peers.

Collaboration: Students will learn to collaborate with their Learning Skills teacher to determine plans and strategies for work completion. This relationship will serve as a model for students as they learn to use their voices with teachers.

Creativity: Students will explore creative and alternative ways to learn material that fit with their particular learning styles.

Critical Thinking: Students will develop an understanding of their learning strengths and challenges in order to problem solve the best approaches to learning.

Character

The Character component of the Learning Skills program focuses on helping students identify and articulate their values, beliefs and ideals. Through our relationship with the student and authentic conversations, we touch on the importance of Kents Hill core values such as honesty, responsibility, perseverance and scholarship. Students are encouraged to open themselves to new ideas and develop a growth mindset, recognizing the value of life-long learning. Students also build resilience as they overcome challenges.

Reflection

The process of Reflection is one in which students will “learn about learning.” We will reflect on what went well, what went less well, and explore how things might go differently. Students will become active managers of their own learning as they increase their understanding of their strengths and challenges, build their repertoire of skills, and set goals for future success.

Level 1

Private, one-on-one time with a Learning Specialist
Three formal meetings with a Learning Specialist each week
Individualized learning plan focused on strengths, opportunities, and feedback
Access to subject-specific evening study sessions, workshops, and programs

Level 2

Small group Academic Coaching based on common learning profiles
Three formal group meetings facilitated by an Academic Coach each week
Access to subject-specific evening study sessions, workshops, and programs

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