Students with Diagnosed Learning Differences
Accommodations Guidelines

St. Teresa’s Academy is able to support students who need limited accommodations for success in a college preparatory high school environment. Extended time for test taking (time and a half) and preferential seating may be offered to students with diagnosed learning differences accompanied by a recommendation by a licensed or certified evaluator.

Requesting Accommodations at STA:
Incoming freshmen:  extended time may be offered to incoming freshman for the HSPT (high school placement test). Documentation, as defined by the College Board and ACT (see below), needs to be submitted to the director of admissions prior to test date.
Enrolled students: parents must provide the Guidance Department with documentation that supports the student’s need to receive accommodations based on The College Board and ACT criteria for extended time testing on national standardized tests.  

  • St. Teresa’s will determine the need for extended time testing for STA students taking STA courses.
  • The College Board and ACT will make their own determination as to whether accommodations are offered on national standardized testing.  Receiving accommodations at STA does not automatically mean that a student will be approved to receive accommodations for national standardized testing.
  • The Guidance Department will provide students receiving accommodations with information regarding the process of applying for ACT/SAT accommodations.  This process is a joint effort that is initiated by parents and completed by the Guidance Department.

Necessary documentation should include:

1.  Copies of any psycho-educational evaluations conducted that include a diagnosis, the results of all administered cognitive ability and academic achievement tests, and a recommendation of extended time on tests. Testing should be current (within three years) and should include dates, specific test results and the credentials of the evaluating professional. A doctor’s letter or prescription is not sufficient documentation to receive extended time.

2.  IEP’s or 504 Educational Plans created at the grade school level. STA does not create or make determinations based on IEP’s or 504 Plans.

The College Board - Documentation Guidelines

ACT - Policy for Documentation