South Hills Academy Student Support Services
The Student Support Services staff serves the entire South Hills Academy community by providing support to the diverse learning needs of students and guidance for families and faculty on a wide range of topics including learning differences, stress and anxiety, and adolescent development.
At South Hills Academy we are deeply invested in the health and wellbeing of our school community. Being mentally healthy is just as critical as being physically healthy. The school counseling program teaches the knowledge, attitudes, and skills that students need to acquire in academic and social/emotional development, which serve as the foundation for future success.
Our counseling program is deeply invested in the health and well-being of our school community - being mentally healthy is just as critical as being physically healthy. - SHA Counseling Office
English Language Learners
Supporting English Language Learners (ELL) is a priority for teachers and the ELL department. SHA teachers use sheltered immersion model in supporting ELL students to acquire the English language. This means that all instruction is in English, students are not pulled out for ‘special English’ classes and everyone is expected to meet the same rigorous, grade-level academic standards.
The sheltered immersion model focuses on supporting English language learners to acquire the English language and academic content at the same time. SHA recognizes that a well-balanced program includes a strong enrichment program. Each one of our enrichment classes is taught by a specialist in that area. Students attend classes weekly for 45 minutes, with the exception of PE that is twice a week.
Guidance Counseling
Understanding that students can enhance their learning and academic achievement when they are given both the support and skills to overcome challenges they face during childhood and adolescence, SHA has a guidance counselor on its staff. All students entering SHA meet with the guidance counselor to discuss their short and long term goals. Based on those goals, and where students currently are academically, the counselor and student develop the SHA Individualized Learning Pathway.
The guidance counselor also assists high school students with the preparation necessary for entrance into institutions of higher learning and a future career path. This includes, but is not limited to, advising students about the university entrance process, assisting with the completion of documents, and conducting meetings and university visits. The counselor recognizes the individual needs of each student and personalizes a plan to help the student select and gain acceptance to the best school for him or her.
After-School Activities
SHA offers a variety of after school activities. Our after school program allows students the opportunity to exercise, develop artistic abilities, practice new skills, learn foreign languages, and just enjoy themselves with their friends and classmates. To maximize our program, activities vary in length from quarterly and semester to year-long. ASAs that involve physical exercise include basketball, swimming, kung fu, yoga, ballet, badminton, ping pong, soccer, baseball, and cross-country running. Secondary students can also tryout for teams within the school’s varsity athletics program that compete with local teams in volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming, and badminton.