Resource Services

Since 1975, St. George’s has served both locally and nationally as a leader in providing support services for children. Our Resource Services division exists as a part of St. George's to assist students with learning, academic and/or speech-language difficulties.

For more information about our school learning community, click here.

At St. George’s, we believe every student learns best when their unique strengths are recognized and supported. Our Resource Services division provides individualized academic and speech-language support for students with diagnosed learning differences and ADHD, while keeping them fully engaged in their primary classroom. Parents and Resource Specialists meet three times a year to review Student Education Plans (SEP), which are designed to guide academic, self-advocacy and executive-functioning goals.

Through a blend of small group instruction, specialized strategies, accommodations and close collaboration with teachers and families, we help students build the skills, confidence and independence our students need to thrive.

The number of sessions a student attends, as well as assessment of fees, is determined by each student’s learning profile and assessment results.

Here's How Resource Services Supports Learners Across Divisions:

Early Childhood

In-house speech therapy services to support early communication and language development
Foundational language interventions to strengthen literacy and academic readiness

Lower School

Multi-sensory, sequential instruction in reading, writing and spelling
Focus areas on phonemic awareness, phonics, oral reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension
Small-group or individual sessions (1–5 times per week) while maintaining primary classroom instruction
In-house speech therapy services to support speech and language comprehension

Middle School

Targeted support in English language arts, math and language lab classes
Small-group, individual sessions or in-class support, tailored to student needs
Ongoing assessments to monitor growth and adjust instruction
In-house speech therapy services to support social language, speech and reading comprehension
Collaboration with classroom teachers to reinforce strategies across settings
Transition support for academic, organizational and social readiness for high school

Meet the Director of Resource Services, Shaana Chaisson

A speech-language pathologist by training and a doctoral candidate in Educational Leadership at Xavier University, Shaana has over 13 years of experience supporting students with communication and cognitive needs and is committed to student equity, collaboration and growth.

"Sam struggled with reading and writing since he was in first grade. He came from another school where they knew he was having trouble but didn't know how to help him and didn't have dedicated resources available. St. George's knew exactly what to do. They immediately got him tested and made a plan to support him. They taught him how to utilize the many tools available for his needs. He learned to advocate for himself and ask for help, and he learned the importance of perseverance. St. George's has brought back the joy and excitement of learning. He still has to work hard, but he knows he can do it. Now he reads in his free time—for fun!"Cathy S.Parent of StG Alumnus

Resource Services FAQs

How is an SEP different from an IEP?

As an independent school, St. George’s cannot provide Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) in the same way that public or charter schools do. Instead, our Resource Services team offers a more personalized approach through Student Education Plans (SEPs). SEPs are developed in close partnership with parents and outline clear goals and objectives tailored to each student’s unique learning profile according to their evaluations. To keep progress on track, SEP conferences are held three times per year, providing families with updates, recommendations and collaborative goal setting to meet evolving student needs.

Does St. George's offer occupational therapy?

While St. George’s does not have occupational therapists on staff, we partner with outside providers who are welcome to work with students on campus. This arrangement allows students to receive therapy within their academic environment, ensuring continuity between classroom learning and therapeutic support, while also providing parents with the convenience of maintaining their own schedules.

Does my child need an evaluation to participate in Resource Services or speech?

Once a child enters third grade, a current educational, psychological and/or speech-language evaluation, completed every three years, is essential and required to receive Resource Services at St. George’s. The objective evaluations are used along with screening data, observation information and parental feedback to determine if additional academic and/or speech-language interventions are indicated outside of the classroom.

What classroom accommodations are offered at St. George's?

Allow breaks during work periods, between tasks and during testing
Assistive technology/read aloud
Break up assignments or instructions into smaller chunks
Breaking tests down into parts
Distraction-limited environment
Extended time
Frequent review, repetition and restating
Math facts chart
No penalty for spelling errors unless spelling is explicitly assessed
Oral recheck for failing grade if other accommodations are utilized and the student has demonstrated prior understanding
Preferential seating in the classroom
Supervision of personal supplies
Use of manipulatives and/or visuals
Use of a timer and/or visual schedule

Can my child receive interventions without being in Resource Services or speech?

Yes, students with current educational, psychological and/or speech-language evaluations are eligible to receive accommodations interventions due to the findings and recommendations of their evaluations. An example is that of a student with an ADHD diagnosis; they may not require Resource Services but still receive preferential seating and/or additional time for assessments.

How does Resource Services support ALL learners?

The expertise of our incredible Resource Services staff reaches all StG learners through our Success Team model and extensive behind-the-scenes meeting schedule. Resource Services specialists can provide in-class support for their students or co-teach small reading or math groups. They, along with Director of Resource Services Shaana Chaisson, also lend their knowledge base and recommendations in professional development or faculty meetings. St. George’s teachers’ ability to differentiate for ALL enrolled students is, in large part, due to the support and proximity of Resource Services.

Is Resource Services included in tuition?

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