Discovery Learning Center
FCA’s mission is to assist parents in educating their children in accordance with Biblical principles by providing high quality spiritual and academic programs while encouraging students to live Christ-centered lives. Within that mission, we recognize that each student is “fearfully and wonderfully made” by God (Psalm 139:14) and has unique strengths and weaknesses. The goal of FCA’s Discovery Learning Center is to partner with parents in assisting struggling learners to reach their full God-given potential in the optimal learning environment.
What is the Discovery Learning Center?
FCA’s Discovery Learning Center is a service provided to full time FCA students who are struggling to meet the classroom expectations due to learning difficulties. This center is designed primarily for students with average to above-average intelligence who are diagnosed with a Specific Learning Disability (SLD) or demonstrate learning challenges in the classroom. At this point, we are not able to accommodate students who require an individual aide to function in the General Education Classroom setting. For students in K3 through 5th grade, we currently offer classroom curriculum support and individual or small group pull-out services to support learning. For students in 6th-12th grade, we offer general classroom curriculum support and outside the general classroom curriculum modifications in Math, including Discovery Math Classes.
What is the cost?
Grades K3-12th grade: $2,500 per year for the 1st student in a family; $2,000 per year for the 2nd student in a family; $1,500 per year for the 3rd student in a family; $1,000 per year for the 4th student in a family. Payments can be made in full or in monthly installments directly paid to FCA or through your FACTS account.
How do I enroll my student?
Enrollment is limited in our Discovery Center as we seek to provide one-on-one or small group instruction to each student. If you believe your child could benefit from this program, please contact Brittany Fischer at bfischer@fcamd.org. She will work directly with you and your child’s classroom teacher. Permission to enroll in the Discovery Center will be granted by the Academy’s administration. There are times based on pre-admission testing, that enrollment in the Discovery Learning Program is a pre-condition for acceptance at FCA, if we recognize that the student will need the support of Discovery to succeed in the classroom.
Discovery Math for Secondary Students
The secondary Discovery math classroom utilizes digital curriculum recognizing student needs for several avenues of support, and the benefit to various points of data to target key areas of learning struggles. Small class sizes allow more personalized instruction and one-to-one opportunities. The class structure begins with lessons, then teacher leads examples, and majority of time is spent working through assignments. Practice is the best tool for learning. The digital IXL math program gives instant feedback after answering a problem along with explanations and key point reminders when answered incorrectly. Accommodations available for secondary Discovery math students are the use of a basic calculator, guided notes that may be used during assessments, and no separate homework assignments (If classwork is not completed then that is expected to be completed at home). The classroom environment offers alternative seating and an atmosphere focused on low-stress. Assessments are short in length and cover a small range of material. Points are granted for each step and process emphasizing the importance of showing work. Grading recognizes the effort and attempt of students to grasp concepts.