APPLICATIONS FOR JUNE LEARNING ACADEMY ARE NOW CLOSED. OPENINGS AVAILABLE FOR JULY SESSION ONLY.

Learning Academy is a residential, pre-college, one-week program for bright high school rising seniors with diagnosed language-based learning disabilities or Attention Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder.

Choose from one of two options:

• Session I: June 20-25, 2010
  SESSION I NOW CLOSED!

• Session II: July 18-23, 2010
  

History:
For over 35 years, Curry College has been internationally renowned for its learning disabilities program for college students, the Program for Advancement of Learning (PAL). In June 1996, Curry began a one-week day summer program for high school students. June 2001 marked the beginning of the Learning Academy's new residential week. The Learning Academy students benefit from the same highly experienced professors and effective techniques that have been successful for PAL and Curry College since 1970.

An Overview:
If you want to learn more about the learning process in general and about your own unique learning profile specifically, Learning Academy is designed for you. You will learn how to use your academic strengths in the classroom, your interpersonal style in social settings and your general problem solving abilities to develop strategies in:

• listening, speaking, reading and writing
• organizational and time-management abilities
• studying and test-taking
• library/database research methods
• assistive technology
• note-taking/mapping
• the college search process
• writing the college essay

Benefits:

• opportunity to work in a small group with experienced learning specialists.
• social interaction with other students with learning differences.
• one Curry College credit awarded upon completion of the program.

Eligibility/Requirements:
To be accepted to the Learning Academy you must:

• have a diagnosed language-based learning disability or Attention Deficit Disorder. (LA is not designed to support students whose primary difficulty is in the area of non-verbal, social skill, behavioral, or psychiatric disorders).
• interview by phone (for long distance applicants) or in person for all others with an LA faculty member to learn more about the program and assess your commitment.
• provide a reference from a teacher who knows you well.
• send testing, which describes your learning profile (including WISC-IV or WAIS-IV test results) and indicates at least average to above average cognitive ability.
• fill out a learning profile questionnaire

PLEASE NOTE: Acceptance into Learning Academy is not necessarily an indication that a student will be admitted to Curry College and/or PAL.

Costs for Summer 2010:
$1600 includes tuition, room and board, plus organized activities.

Payment and Refund Policy:

• Non-refundable deposit of $100 upon acceptance.
• Full Payment Due by June 1, 2010.
• No refunds after June 1 unless a medical excuse is provided by physician.
• No refunds if student is asked to leave for infractions of drug, alcohol, and/or curfew infractions or disruptive behavior.
• Limited enrollment

APPLICATION PROCESS

1. Apply using form provided on brochure or with online application.
   Application deadline: May 15
2. Send testing which documents your learning disability (ex: WISC) which was administered within the last three years, including achievement and cognitive testing
3. Complete the Learning Profile Questionnaire
4. Send recommendation form completed by a guidance counselor, teacher, or learning specialist

All materials can be emailed; Jvandenb@curry.edu; faxed 617-333-2018; or mailed to PAL, Curry College, Milton, MA 02186

Program Highlights:
Learning Academy is more than classroom activities. It is the opportunity to experience the college residential environment.

• Get to know others from all over the United States in informal and planned activities designed to foster social interaction and cultural opportunities.
• Experience all that Boston has to offer in a tour of the city and the chance to attend a theater production.

  All activities will be supervised by residential life staff.

  Residential Staff:
  Students will be supervised by a Resident Director and Resident Assistants (one per 10 students). Resident assistants are college students themselves who are chosen based on maturity and recommendations.

  Residence Hall:
  Students will be housed in one of Curry's smaller residence halls. Rooms are standard doubles, so students will be assigned roommates. Three meals a day will be provided in the College dining hall. Any additional meals or snacks will be at the student's expense.

  Rules and Policies:
  Students will have enforced curfews and are expected to be in their own rooms between 12 midnight and 7 AM. Students may not leave campus unless on supervised and approved LA activities. A strict drug and alcohol policy will be enforced. Upon acceptance to the program, students and parents will be expected to sign a form acknowledging that they have read and agree to the residential policies.

  Important note to Parents:
  Safety of your son or daughter is of utmost concern to us; however, personal safety is a joint venture. No system can guarantee protection without full cooperation of and assumption of responsibility by your son or daughter. Consequently, we ask that you carefully evaluate your son's or daughter's maturity level before encouraging participation in a residential program.

  Transportation:
  Students who fly into Logan Airport will be asked to arrange arrival and departure times so that residence life staff can meet them as a group for transport to Curry College. Please note that if flights are delayed or cancelled, a back-up plan should be in place. Further details will be forthcoming upon acceptance to the program.

  Comments from Previous Participants and Parents:

  "I would strongly recommend taking this course. I think it teaches you a lot of valuable information." Siobhan Ziccardi, age 17; Garden City, NY

  "It was a great experience!" Linsday Dow, age 17; Pembroke, MA

  "The teachers made it fun to learn" Al Lazaro, age 17; Oxford, MA

  "By the end of the week you will feel so much better about yourself it is worth the money." Anonymous, age 17. Wareham, MA

  "Our daughter's experience this week was the most rewarding and beneficial experience she could have! Her self-esteem has increased each day! She raved about her knowledge and acceptance of her learning style. She has been devastated since 7th grade about her LD but now has realized how unique she is and now feels special about her LD. You have all given her exactly what we tried to give her, the confidence to accept what she has and to know she can succeed! Thank you so very much!!" Patricia Sullivan, mother of Jessica Sullivan, age 16, Winthrop, MA.

  "Initially my son was not happy about going to school in the summer, but he enjoyed the program. Never complained about coming and was eager to do his homework as soon as he came home. What a change. I would recommend this to other parents." Patti Roland, mother of Matthew Roland, age 15, Raynham, MA.

  "I was surprised at the amount of material that was covered in a week. Jenn knew herself fairly well prior to coming but we were both very pleased with how much she learned that she didn't know before. This program also helped her not to focus on her weakness but on her strengths." Maria Toscano, mother of Jennifer Toscano, age 17, Roslindale, MA.

  "The Learning Academy will give my son the boost he needs at this time in his education. The knowledge he has gathered about his learning style will help him succeed in his senior year." Michael Yunits, father of Michael Yunits, age 17, Holbrook, MA.

  For more information, call the Learning Academy Coordinator, Jeanne Vandenberg at (617)333-2033 or send e-mail to: jvandenb@curry.edu

  E-Mail your comments and questions about the PAL program to: pal@curry.edu