Accommodations
Accommodations
Overview
Accommodation services at the Student Success Center are designed to support students whose documented disabilities or medical diagnosis significantly impact their ability to access and demonstrate learning in the educational setting.
A diagnosis alone does not automatically qualify a student for accommodations through the SSC. Instead, accommodations are determined based on the educational impact of the disability. Some students may already have effective strategies, supports, and tools in place that allow them to be successful without formal accommodations, while others may require additional support to ensure equitable access to learning. Our goal is to provide accommodations that are purposeful, appropriate, and aligned with each student’s individual needs while promoting independence and self-advocacy.
Mrs. Elizabeth Twyman, director of the Student Success Center, and the accommodations team work closely with students to implement strategies that maximize their learning experience in the classroom.
Required Documentation:
Families requesting accommodation services must submit relevant documentation during the enrollment process. If already enrolled, families must submit documentation directly to the Director of the Student Success Center. Documentation may include:
- Current IEP, Service Plan, or Accommodation Plan from a public school district or previous school
- Most recent psycho-educational evaluation or educational testing report used to determine eligibility for services
- Relevant and current (updated within the last year) medical or psychological documentation from a qualified provider (e.g., ADHD/ADD, Auditory Processing Disorder, Tourette Syndrome, Speech/Language Disorders, Diabetes, etc.) Updated documentation must include teacher input collected through standardized rating scales provided by the evaluating physician or licensed provider. These rating scales are typically completed at the time of initial diagnosis and are not required to be repeated unless specifically requested by the provider. However, updated diagnostic documentation within the past year is required to confirm current educational impact and support appropriate accommodations. Documentation must include the evaluator’s credentials and signature.
Review Process:
The Student Success Center reviews all submitted documentation to determine:
- Whether accommodations are warranted based on demonstrated educational need
- Which accommodations can be supported within the Helias Catholic educational environment
Because each student is unique, accommodation plans are developed on an individualized basis in collaboration with families, students, and educational staff. Accommodations are not guaranteed, even if they were previously implemented at another school.
After reviewing documentation, Student Success Center staff may request additional observation, teacher feedback, or targeted interventions to better understand student needs within the current classroom setting.
For students requesting accommodations for the first time, a minimum of four weeks is required to collect classroom data, including teacher feedback and observation across relevant instructional settings, in order to determine appropriate support and implementation needs.
If, after this review period, the Student Success Center staff determines that a consistent accommodation is warranted based on documented and observed educational impact across settings, the SSC team will meet with the family to develop and implement a formal accommodation plan.
To be included in a formal plan, accommodations must be supported by documented need and demonstrated consistency of impact across applicable courses and instructional environments. Once implemented, accommodations are provided as part of an approved plan and are expected to be used consistently across all applicable courses.
Additional Information Regarding 504 Plans:
The Diocese of Jefferson City does not operate under Section 504 Plan provisions. However, documentation from existing 504 Plans is reviewed as part of the Student Success Center accommodation process to help inform appropriate supports.
Families are encouraged to meet with the Director of the Student Success Center, Mrs. Elizabeth Twyman, to discuss student needs and determine what accommodations or supports can be provided within the Helias Catholic educational setting.