What types of learning differences does The Bay School support?

The Bay School embraces all kinds of learners and recognizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education. The Learning Services team supports students with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, dyslexia, and other language-based learning differences. If a student learns differently, Bay sees that as something to celebrate, not something to fix. With a formal evaluation in hand, learning specialists create personalized support plans that include the right accommodations and strategies for success. The goal isn’t just to help students get by—it’s to help them thrive. Add in regular check-ins, collaboration with teachers, and a supportive community, and you’ve got a recipe for confidence and growth.

How do students access Learning Services at Bay?

It all starts with understanding how a student learns best—and that means a bit of paperwork. To access Learning Services at Bay, families provide a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation done by a licensed clinical psychologist. Think of it as the blueprint for a student’s support plan. Once the school receives the report, a learning specialist steps in to create a personalized game plan with just-right accommodations and strategies. The best part? Support isn’t one-and-done. It begins as early as 9th grade and evolves as students grow. Whether they want weekly check-ins or just occasional touchpoints, students get a say in how their support looks and feels.

Does Bay offer accommodations for standardized testing?

Yes, and they make it refreshingly simple. With a signed consent form, Bay’s accommodations coordinator steps in to handle the paperwork for PSAT and SAT accommodations through the College Board. No parental scavenger hunts for forms required. For the ACT, students need to flag that they’re requesting accommodations when they register, and then Bay takes it from there. Heads up though—the College Board wants to see that accommodations have been in place for at least four months, while the ACT prefers a full year. Basically, the earlier you get everything squared away, the smoother it goes. Bay really does make this process feel a whole lot less intimidating.

What documentation do students need to qualify for Learning Services at Bay?

To get the ball rolling with Learning Services, students need a formal psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation. This isn’t a quick quiz—it has to be completed by a licensed clinical psychologist (or a speech-language pathologist for certain language-based diagnoses) and must be dated no earlier than 6th grade. The report should include testing scores, diagnoses with DSM-V or ICD-10 codes, and clear recommendations like how much extra time a student might need or whether they’d benefit from assistive tech. It may sound like a lot, but it’s all about giving Bay the clearest picture possible to build the right support plan.

The Learning Services at The Bay School of San Francisco

High school is a time of growth, challenge, and self-discovery. At The Bay School of San Francisco, students are met with more than just high expectations—they’re given the tools to meet them with confidence. The school’s Learning Services program stands out for its genuine commitment to understanding how students learn best. It’s not just about accommodations. It’s about celebrating neurodiversity, nurturing self-advocacy, and building a community where every student can thrive.

Personalized Learning as Core A Core Aspect

The Bay School believes every student has the potential to soar once they understand how their brain works. That’s why learning specialists create custom support plans based on professional evaluations, helping students manage everything from executive functioning challenges to standardized testing nerves. These aren’t cookie-cutter plans either. We’re talking targeted strategies and thoughtful accommodations like extra time, tech tools, and distraction-free rooms.

But what really sets Bay apart is how embedded support is in the culture. From day one, students meet with specialists to craft goals and explore self-advocacy. Parents aren’t left in the dark either. Through Bay PALS, they’re looped in and equipped with info on learning differences, testing accommodations, and more. This is a team effort, and everyone’s invited.

Flexible Academic Structures That Encourage Student Growth

You know what makes support even better? A schedule that allows time for it. Bay’s use of flex blocks, peer mentoring, and tutorials means students don’t have to scramble for help. It’s built right into the day. Freshmen might meet regularly with a learning specialist, while upperclassmen shape their own support schedule based on their evolving needs. By senior year, students are steering the ship, with experts still on board if needed.

Even world language requirements get a thoughtful twist. For students with documented learning differences, Bay offers alternate pathways like ASL after the first year. It’s just another way the school says, “We see you, and we’ve got you.”

Why Families Feel Right at Home with Learning Services at Bay

Parents want to know their child is seen, supported, and understood. That’s exactly what The Bay School delivers. From the first meeting with a learning specialist, families are welcomed into a collaborative partnership that continues throughout high school. With regular updates, thoughtful recommendations, and clear communication, parents are never left wondering how things are going.

Through programs like Bay PALS, families gain access to valuable resources, trusted referrals, and a community of others on similar paths. The school offers support not just for students, but for the people who cheer them on at home. This shared sense of purpose creates an environment where students feel confident and parents feel reassured. At Bay, Learning Services is more than just a program. It’s a team effort that helps everyone thrive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What types of learning differences does The Bay School support?
The Bay School embraces all kinds of learners and recognizes that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to education. The Learning Services team supports students with ADHD, executive functioning challenges, dyslexia, and other language-based learning differences. If a student learns differently, Bay sees that as something to celebrate, not something to fix. With a formal evaluation in hand, learning specialists create personalized support plans that include the right accommodations and strategies for success. The goal isn’t just to help students get by—it’s to help them thrive. Add in regular check-ins, collaboration with teachers, and a supportive community, and you’ve got a recipe for confidence and growth.
How do students access Learning Services at Bay?
It all starts with understanding how a student learns best—and that means a bit of paperwork. To access Learning Services at Bay, families provide a psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation done by a licensed clinical psychologist. Think of it as the blueprint for a student’s support plan. Once the school receives the report, a learning specialist steps in to create a personalized game plan with just-right accommodations and strategies. The best part? Support isn’t one-and-done. It begins as early as 9th grade and evolves as students grow. Whether they want weekly check-ins or just occasional touchpoints, students get a say in how their support looks and feels.
Does Bay offer accommodations for standardized testing?
Yes, and they make it refreshingly simple. With a signed consent form, Bay’s accommodations coordinator steps in to handle the paperwork for PSAT and SAT accommodations through the College Board. No parental scavenger hunts for forms required. For the ACT, students need to flag that they’re requesting accommodations when they register, and then Bay takes it from there. Heads up though—the College Board wants to see that accommodations have been in place for at least four months, while the ACT prefers a full year. Basically, the earlier you get everything squared away, the smoother it goes. Bay really does make this process feel a whole lot less intimidating.
What documentation do students need to qualify for Learning Services at Bay?
To get the ball rolling with Learning Services, students need a formal psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluation. This isn’t a quick quiz—it has to be completed by a licensed clinical psychologist (or a speech-language pathologist for certain language-based diagnoses) and must be dated no earlier than 6th grade. The report should include testing scores, diagnoses with DSM-V or ICD-10 codes, and clear recommendations like how much extra time a student might need or whether they’d benefit from assistive tech. It may sound like a lot, but it’s all about giving Bay the clearest picture possible to build the right support plan.