Tutorial Program
Darrow's focus on the student as an individual learner is most
evident in the Tutorial Program, a process of academic mentoring. Here,
students develop strategies for academic success through one-on-one
work with a teacher. Some students concentrate on their daily
organization, time management, and effective reading, writing, and study
skills. Others work with their tutors on a specific content area, such
as math or history. As students gain more confidence in their academic
abilities, they learn to work more independently and to meet new
academic challenges. Most importantly, they become self-advocates in
their learning. Nearly all students choose to participate in the
Tutorial Program, an important support system.
Each tutorial is
individually tailored to meet a student's specific needs. During the
enrollment process, the School assesses each student's academic history
to determine how to best support him or her in organization and study
skills or in specific academic areas. Student and tutor work together
to identify goals and develop a plan to reach those goals. Students
meet with tutors during the class day, two or four times each week.
Tutors report on a student's progress in quarterly comments and at
parent-teacher conferences.
Darrow tutor Mark McKelvey gives a thorough accounting of Darrow's tutorial program in his article Beyond Tutoring: Taking Coaching to the Next Level, which you can read in the online edition of Independent School Magazine.
|