Costello Learning Resource Program

About

Mother McAuley High School has a long history of developing each student’s unique potential for learning. Consistent with this philosophy, the Costello Learning Resource Program was established in 2002 to meet the individual needs of students who face learning obstacles during their high school years, yet demonstrate the potential to succeed in a college prep program. Acknowledging that each student has a unique learning style, the Costello Learning Resource Program seeks to identify those students who will benefit from resource assistance to allow them the opportunity to reach their academic potential.

Unlike students in other learning assistance programs, McAuley students are mainstreamed into the student body and are challenged to successfully complete the core curriculum, elective programs and graduation requirements of our college preparatory program. Our purpose is to teach our students adaptive strategies and techniques that will help them be more independent learners, graduate from Mother McAuley and successfully transition into college coursework.

The Costello Learning Resource Center is located on the Second Floor next to the Chapel.

Goals

Documentation

The Costello Learning Resource Program requires current diagnosis documentation (within three school years) to be on file at the school. This includes both of the following:

An IEP, 504 or ICEP Plan
A neuropsychological evaluation within the last three school years (December 2022 - December 2025)

ALL DOCUMENTATION WILL BE REVIEWED UPON RECEIPT TO DETERMINE ELIGIBILITY FOR ACCOMMODATIONS.

Once the submitted documentation is reviewed an Accommodation Plan will be designed based on the professional recommendations. Please note that accommodations such as modifications to curriculum, grading scale or graduation requirements cannot be supported.

Accommodation Plans serves as:

a guide for the classroom teacher
proof of continued accommodations in the high school setting
supportive documentation for a student’s request to test with accommodations on standardized tests

Benefits

Students participating in the Costello Learning Resource Program meet with a resource teacher during a scheduled study period, during their lunch period, and/or before or after school. Individualized assistance is provided to the student's classroom teachers to assess the student's progress and needs. The resource teacher serves in consultant capacity to the academic departments with reference to adjustments necessary to meet the specific learning needs of the student.

Students who participate in a scheduled Resource study period will benefit from:

approximately 200 minutes of resource time weekly
opportunity for one to one assistance or small group instruction with the Learning Resource teachers
opportunity to receive assistance with study skills, organizational skills or time to seek assistance from their classroom teachers

Contact Information

Parents of students with diagnosed learning disabilities, ADD/ADHD or medical diagnosis that require academic accommodations are encouraged to set up an appointment with one of our Costello Learning Resource Program Co-Coordinators.

Mrs. Jennifer Murzyn

Learning Resource Coordinator
Freshman/Sophomore
773-881-6510 | jmurzyn@mothermcauley.org

Ms. Julianne Vanderwerf

Learning Resource Coordinator
Junior/Senior
773-298-8808 | jvanderwerf@mothermcauley.org

Information Links

December Entrance Exam Test Accommodation Information

College Board and ACT Accommodations Information

College Board Direct Link

College Board Consent Form

ACT Direct Link

ACT Consent Form

DHS Information