At St. Mary School, we believe every child can succeed when provided with the right tools, strategies, and support. Our Resource Program is grounded in the belief that learning differences should not be barriers to achievement—but opportunities for personalized growth.

A School-Wide Commitment to Inclusive Learning

St. Mary School is proud to be a leader in providing targeted, supplemental support that goes beyond core instruction. We are working to become a flagship school in the South Bay for serving a broad spectrum of learners through evidence-based instructional practices and collaborative support systems.

Orton-Gillingham Training for All Educators

In an exciting step forward, all of our core teachers have completed Orton-Gillingham Classroom Educator Level training for the 2025–2026 school year. This course equips our educators with powerful techniques to support students with reading and writing challenges.

While OG is traditionally used in special education settings, our decision to train all core teachers is a unique and forward-thinking move—allowing every student to benefit from structured, multisensory literacy instruction within the classroom.

What is OG?

The Orton-Gillingham (OG) approach is a structured, multisensory, and personalized way to teach reading, writing, and spelling. Originally designed for students with dyslexia, it benefits all learners by making literacy instruction clear and accessible.

Explicit – Direct, clear instruction
Multisensory – Uses sight, sound, touch, and movement
Structured & Sequential – Lessons build on prior knowledge
Diagnostic & Flexible – Adjusted to meet student needs

How Will This Impact Your Child?

  • Supports all types of learners, including those with dyslexia, with research-backed strategies
  • Builds confidence & understanding in literacy

OG helps struggling readers and strong readers improve their skills.

Tiered Support & Individualized Services

Our resource specialist is a certified Associate Level Orton-Gillingham Educator and a trained Educational Therapist. She provides responsive services and coordinates Learning Support Plans (LSPs) for students with learning, medical, or behavioral diagnoses. These plans are created in partnership with families, teachers, and specialists to ensure consistency and success.

Early Detection

We provide screening and learning identification for all students.

“We believe that early reading support and diverse teaching methods set the stage for lifelong success, empowering every child to reach their full potential.”

– Reading Support Teacher

Additional Support Services

Academic Prep Class (APC):

Our opt-in Academic Prep Class supports students in grades 5-8 who have an established learning plan or relevant diagnosis. This small-group setting is an executive functioning program that helps students develop essential academic skills and confidence.

  • Available to students with an established learning plan
  • Meets twice a week during a dedicated period with our resource teacher
  • Focuses on time management, organization, planning, and study habits
  • Replaces Spanish in the student’s schedule (Spanish is not required for high school applications)
  • Designed to offer personalized support while keeping students integrated with their core academic classes

 

On-Campus Counseling:

Through our partnership with the Bill Wilson Center, we offer on-site counseling sessions during the school day to support student well-being in a familiar and accessible setting.

  • A helpful first step for families navigating emotional or behavioral concerns
  • Support is available for a range of situations-from adjusting to life changes (like a move or family loss) to exploring social or emotional struggles
  • Students meet weekly with a counselor on campus
  • A new set of counselors is assigned each school year, offering students the opportunity to connect with someone different annually