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Program for Academic Success

 

The Marin School celebrates and encourages diverse thinking and 
learning, and offers a unique program for students with learning differences.  

Our Program for Academic Success (PAS) is for students with diagnosed learning differences who need specialized support in one or more areas of study to be academically successful in a college preparatory curriculum.

 

The Marin School's Program for Academic Success recognizes that students with learning differences have exceptional strengths as well as challenges, and is designed to help build confidence in their capabilities for success. PAS courses give these students the opportunity for learning and skill building, through access to rigorous curriculum by way of appropriate accommodations and modifications.

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PAS works for students who are motivated, eager to learn, and ready to participate fully in our school community. Receiving support from this program is just one aspect of a student’s high school experience at TMS. 

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Amory Cariadus
Director of Learning Services
acariadus@themarinschool.org

 

The PAS Promise

The Marin School's Program for Academic Success (PAS) is both dynamic and innovative as it is designed to allow for a balance of

academic flexibility while meeting important learning milestones within each student’s high school experience.

College

Readiness

PAS students are prepared for the best post-secondary options for them, based on their interests, goals, and needs.  College counseling provides best-fit post-high school planning.

Commitment to Inclusion

Students in the PAS program are fully included in the TMS community and have have access to all classes and activities. In addition, some of the PAS courses are offered just to PAS students to ensure targeted instruction, while for others, students are given modified curriculum within the standard classroom. This ensures that students receive the right balance of specialized instruction and participation in all that TMS has to offer.

Collaborative Growth

PAS is both dynamic and innovative as it is designed to allow for a balance of academic flexibility while meeting important learning guidelines within each student’s high school experience.

Passport to Success: Students enrolled in the PAS Program receive the following:

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Formal Educational Plan

Created by the Director of Learning Services based on the student’s learning profile and academic needs.

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Supported Study Hall 

Each PAS student’s schedule includes a built-in study hall with prioritized support from the Learning Center staff.

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Adaptive Instruction

Core academic classes provide students with a smaller class size, and combination of modified content and skill-building. 

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Individual Support 

Opportunities before, during, and after school to receive support and guidance in the Learning Center.

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STUDENT SCHEDULE SAMPLES BY GRADE

Community Voices

“For the first time I feel like my teachers understand how I learn best - it’s challenging, but I have the support I need to succeed.” - TMS Student

“This program has made a huge difference for my son. He used to hate school - now he is ready to go every morning and hates to miss a day.” - TMS Parent

“The communication with faculty is amazing, we never received this level of support in any other school.”

- TMS Parent

The PAS Advantage:

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  • Daily support from the Learning Services Team who work directly with faculty members across all subjects.

  • Fluid evaluation of of your student’s academic progress.

  • Management of qualified accommodations

  • Skill-building in key areas like executive functioning - including note-taking, time management, self-advocacy and organization.  

  • Direct instruction in study skills that they will need to be successful in school

  • Supported access to  assistive technology.

  • STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)"
    Science Required Courses: Biology Chemistry Electives: Anatomy and Physiology*Bay Area Ecology* Physics Psychology* Zoology Mathematics Required Courses: Algebra 1 Geometry Algebra 2 Electives: Pre-Calculus Calculus Statistics Engineering & Technology Course Offerings: Engineering and the Fabrication Laboratory Innovation Studio Introduction to 3D Modeling and Animation* Applied Computer Programming: Robotics* Java 1–2 *Offered at least every other year
  • Humanities
    English Required Courses: English 1: Survey of Literature English 2: World/Multi-Cultural Literature English 3: American Literature English 4: British Literature Electives: Writer’s Workshop* Film as Literature* Creative Writing Social Studies Required Courses: Geography Modern World History United States History Electives: American Government Economics World Language Required Courses: Spanish 1 Spanish 2 Electives: Spanish 3 Spanish 4 *Offered at least every other year
  • The Arts
    Performing Arts Course Offerings: Drama 1–4 Jazz Band 1–4 Recording Arts Visual Arts Course Offerings Studio Art Drawing and Painting Advanced Drawing and Painting Photography 1, 2, 3* Public Art* Requirements: Two classes of either Visual or Performing Arts *Offered at least every other year Click here to view The Marin School's Visual & Performing Arts Blog

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grade

9

Full PAS Support

A Block:          Intro Biology

B Block:          Algebra 1A

C Block:          Writing Skills 1
Clubs Block:   Sports & PE Club
D Block:          Freshman Seminar
E Block:          Intro Humanities
F Block:          American Sign Language
G Block:         Supported Study Hall

 

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Partial PAS support

A Block:         Freshman Seminar

B Block:         English 1

C Block:         Geography

Clubs Block:  Script Writing

D Block:         Intro Biology

E Block:         Algebra 2

F Block:         Spanish 1

G Block:         Supported Study Hall

grade

10

Math Support


A Block:          Algebra 1B
B Block:          Chemistry
Clubs Block:   Student Leadership Council
C Block:          Drama
D Block:          English 2
E Block:          Fabrication Lab
F Block:          Modern World History
G Block:          Supported Study Hall

Transfer Student


A Block:          Intro Geometry
B Block:          English Skills 2
C Block:          Fabrication Lab

Clubs Block:    Yearbook
D Block:          Intro to Modern World History
E Block:          Passion Project

F Block:          Supported Study Hall

G Block:          Writing Skills 2

grade

11

11th grade
A Block:   Zoology
Club Block:  Club, D&D
B Block:  Drawing & Painting
C Block:  English Skills 3
D Block:  Geometry
E Block:  Intro to US History
F Block:  American Sign Language 2
G Block:  Supported Study Hall

12th grade 
A Block:  American Sign Language 2

B Block:  Intro American Government
Club Block: Dystopian Books

C Block:  Drawing & Painting
D Block:  Economics
E Block:  English Skills 4
F Block:  Environmental Science
G Block:  Supported Study Hall

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