Student Development/Tutoring

Across all three of our campuses, the goals of Ascension's student development program are to serve students who learn differently and to enhance the academic curriculum to meet all learning styles.

 River Ranch Student Development Programs

At the preschool level, students who are working significantly above the class norms, as well as those who need individual attention, may work with the Preschool Head and Student Development Coordinators to either “catch up” or be challenged beyond class work.

Students recommended for participation in this program are allowed the opportunity for small group instruction and reinforcement or extension of concepts presented in the classroom.

Little Gator Development

Little Gator Development  assesses all students in Kindergarten in the critical areas of pre-reading and reading such as phonological awareness and phonics. Expert specialists offer small group assistance for students who need additional structured sequential lessons to support the SuperKids curriculum and national benchmark standards.  There is no additional charge for this service.

 Downtown Student Development Programs

Gator Development

Gator Development assesses all students in first grade & previously enrolled and new to the school second graders in the critical areas of reading, such as phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, comprehension of text, and written expression. Expert specialists offer small group assistance for students who need additional structured sequential lessons to support the SuperKids curriculum and national benchmark standards.  There is no additional charge for this service.

Academic Zone (The AZ)

The Academic Zone provides a testing center for those who qualify. The AZ services are part of daily life at Ascension and are included in the cost of tuition.

Little Gator Aide

Little Gator Aide provides reading support services for students in grades 1-4  who meet certain program criteria. Recommended accommodations are implemented as much as possible. Students in 1st-4th may participate in the Reading Achievement Program (HillRAP) with a one to four teacher/student ratio. This program utilizes an Orton-Gillingham approach to teach reading and spelling. There is an additional cost for Little Gator Aide program.

Big Gator Aide

Big Gator Aide is designed for the dyslexic students in grades 5-7. Big Gator Aide serves those Middle School students who have a psychoeducational evaluation that has diagnosed the student as dyslexic. These students are taught to use Kurzweil software while participating in the program. There is an additional cost for the Big Gator Aide program. 

Private Tutors

In-house private tutors provide additional help with academic or organizational skills. A contract is developed between a parent and the tutor based on the specific needs of each child. Tutors provide one-to-one instruction as well as homework relief for parents. They communicate with the teachers regarding each student’s needs on a daily basis. Students have the option to meet with tutors during physical education, enrichment, or after school. There is an additional cost for private tutors.

 Sugar Mill Pond Development Programs

Ascension's chapter of the National Honor Society provides free tutoring every morning from 7:30 to 8:00am in the Student Solutions Hub at the Sugar Mill Pond Campus. NHS members are also available to tutor during their study hall periods and can be assigned to students in need. For students who have a study hall, private tutors may come to campus to work with them in the Student Solutions Hub.

Students with a dyslexia diagnosis or a diagnosed reading disorder have access to Kurzweil software for reading assistance with assignments and assessments. Separate testing and extended time testing accommodations are available for students with formally diagnosed learning disabilities.