Sacred Heart Program

List of 5 items.

• Description of the Sacred Heart Program

  The Sacred Heart Program at Mount de Sales Academy is a four-year academic intervention program offering direct instruction in executive functioning skills, testing and classroom accommodations, and small-group support to students with professionally documented learning disabilities. 
  
  

  Sacred Heart is designed to serve students with mild learning differences who are able to meet Mount de Sales Academy’s academic standards with accommodations and structured skill development. As a rigorous college-preparatory school, MDSA maintains a consistent curriculum and workload expectations. Students in Sacred Heart are expected to keep pace with coursework while developing increasing independence, organization, and self-advocacy skills. 
  
  

  Rooted in our Catholic mission, we believe each student is called to grow and flourish in an environment aligned with her needs. Sacred Heart provides guided academic support within a traditional college-preparatory framework. Students who require significant curriculum modification or a more specialized level of intervention may benefit from a setting specifically structured to provide that level of service. 
  
  

  Each Sacred Heart student receives a Student Support Plan (SSP) based on her educational-psychological evaluation. The SSP formalizes approved accommodations and guides collaboration among teachers, families, and program staff. 
  
  

  Students are placed in courses for which they are qualified at any level offered by MDSA, including Concept, College Prep Level II, Honors, and AP. All students complete course requirements with approved accommodations and the support of program staff. 
  
  

  All Sacred Heart students take Sacred Heart Seminar, a credited class focused on executive functioning and academic skill development. With small class sizes, Seminar provides targeted instruction in organization, time management, study strategies, note-taking, test-taking skills, goal-setting, and self-advocacy. Seminar also supports the implementation of approved testing accommodations. 
  
  

  Upperclassmen who demonstrate consistent independence may be recommended for Phase 2: Coach, a non-credited period providing structured independent work time with access to staff support and accommodation monitoring. 
  
  

  Sacred Heart maintains consistent communication among home, teachers, and program staff to support each student’s academic growth and progress. 

• Sacred Heart Program Accommodations

  Accommodations are individualized based on each student’s comprehensive educational-psychological evaluation, which is required for participation in the Sacred Heart Program. Approved accommodations are intended to support students in accessing Mount de Sales Academy’s college-preparatory curriculum. 
  
  

  Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: 

  • Extended time on tests and quizzes 
  • Testing in a reduced-distraction environment 
  • Use of assistive technology for reading or writing support 
  • Use of a computer for assessments or note-taking 
  • Copies of teacher-provided notes, when appropriate 
  • Preferential seating 
  
  

  Accommodations are designed to support students in demonstrating their knowledge and skills; they do not change course content, grading standards, or academic expectations. 
  
  

  Each student receives a formal Student Support Plan (SSP) developed from her evaluation. Accommodations approved for use at Mount de Sales Academy must be clearly recommended within the evaluation report. 
  
  

  While prior school plans, including IEPs or 504 Plans, may be reviewed for context, the Sacred Heart SSP reflects accommodations aligned with the student’s evaluation and the scope of services available within MDSA’s college-preparatory program. 
  
  

  The SSP outlines approved accommodations for the school year and is shared with parents and classroom teachers to ensure consistent implementation. Sacred Heart staff work closely with students to help them understand and appropriately utilize their accommodations while building independence and self-advocacy skills. 
  
  

  All timed, graded assessments (tests and quizzes) for Sacred Heart students are administered in the Sacred Heart Testing Center to ensure consistent implementation of approved testing accommodations. 
  
  

  **Mount de Sales is only able to implement professionally documented accommodations through the enrollment of the Sacred Heart Program.** 

• Documentation Required for the Sacred Heart Program

  To ensure appropriate placement and support, applicants to the Sacred Heart Program must submit a comprehensive educational-psychological evaluation completed by a licensed or certified professional. 
  
  

  The evaluation must be completed within three years of the student’s enrollment at Mount de Sales Academy and must include a clearly stated DSM-5 diagnosis and specific accommodation recommendations. This documentation allows the Sacred Heart team to determine eligibility and appropriate support within our college-preparatory program. 
  
  

  While public school testing may be reviewed, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan alone does not constitute a comprehensive educational-psychological evaluation for Sacred Heart admission. A full written evaluation report meeting the documentation guidelines outlined below is required. 
  
  

  All required documentation must be submitted by established admissions deadlines for an application to be considered for Sacred Heart placement. 
  

• Guidelines for Documentation of Learning Needs

  In order to determine appropriate accommodations, the comprehensive educational-psychological evaluation report must include the following elements within the report itself: 

  
  - A clearly stated disability diagnosis using current DSM-5 classification
  - Completion within three years of the student’s enrollment at Mount de Sales Academy
  - Cognitive and academic testing results
  - A comprehensive educational, developmental, and relevant medical history
  - A detailed description of the assessments and testing instruments used to determine the diagnosis (e.g., Woodcock-Johnson, WISC, WAIS, Conners, or similar measures)
  - The professional credentials and licensure of the evaluator(s)
  - A clear description of functional limitations supported by test results and an explanation of how those limitations impact learning and testing
  - Specific accommodation recommendations directly supported by the evaluation findings, including the amount of extended time requested, when applicable 

   

  All required components must be contained within the comprehensive evaluation report. Information provided solely in an IEP, 504 Plan, service plan, or separate school document does not replace the need for a complete evaluation report. 
  
  

  Evaluations completed prior to sixth grade may require updated testing to ensure current and developmentally appropriate information.

• Sacred Heart Program Tuition

  The Sacred Heart Program Seminar tuition is $4,950 for the 2025-26 school year. This cost is in addition to the current school tuition.