Dana Hall School offers a dynamic and challenging academic program within a nurturing, caring environment. The faculty encourages students to ask questions, learn from each other, take the initiative to master the content of their course work, and acquire life-long learning skills. Dana Hall offers a variety of academic resources to assist students in meeting these goals.

Academic support begins with the expert instruction of the classroom faculty who use a variety of pedagogical techniques to teach students in their classes. In addition, the Dana Hall Student Planner & Academic Skills and Strategies Handbook offers a wide range of tools that help students improve their organization, test-preparation and study skills, reading, and note-taking skills.

Dana Hall's Learning Specialist is available for consultation if a student is having particular academic difficulty in several of her classes. The Learning Specialist works in concert with the student's teachers, advisor, and family to develop an appropriate academic support plan drawing upon the available resources. For students with significant academic struggles, one-on-one support may be available for a limited period of time as determined by the Division Director. If students require on-going, one-on-one support, the Learning Specialist will help families find an outside tutor in the student's area of need and/or recommend educational testing when appropriate. While Dana Hall's students represent a variety of learning styles, including those with specific learning disabilities, it is important to note that the School is not able to serve all children or provide extensive remedial support. A list of the specific accommodations that can be made for students is available from the Learning Specialist.

Dana Hall School also offers the following resources:

In the Middle School:

Conference Period

Tuesday through Friday, the Middle School provides a 25 minute Conference/Study Period, a time during which all students and teachers are free. This is a valuable opportunity for students to talk with their teachers about concepts covered in class, review class notes, begin their homework, ask for feedback on an assignment, or prepare for a test. Conferences are typically small-group format. A Planning Period is also offered on Mondays.

Study Hall

In order to assist students in making effective use of their time, the Middle School offers proctored study halls. Sixth, seventh, and eighth graders may have one or two study halls during the school day each week. In addition, a supervised after-school study hall is provided Monday through Thursday, 4-5pm. Middle School students who are on campus during this time are expected to attend study hall.

Math Lab

The Middle School Math Lab is available Monday and Thursday afternoons during after-school study hall. In Math Lab, students may review concepts covered in their math classes, do homework and ask for feedback, or receive assistance in preparing for upcoming tests or quizzes. Math Lab is coordinated by Math teacher Michele Gerdes; sessions are small-group format.

English Lab

The Middle School English Lab is also open Mondays and Thursdays during after-school study hall. Assistance is provided on writing assignments at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to drafting to final editing. In addition, students may seek help in understanding assignments involving grammar, writing mechanics, vocabulary, and reading. The English Lab is coordinated by English teacher Winston Emmons; support is given in short, individual sessions.

Super Study

Super Study is offered on Mondays from 3:30-4:30pm. If a student needs teacher assistance on a piece of homework, she may bring that assignment to Super Study and work on it with the guidance of the Middle School Learning Specialist, Sarah Eslick.

Learning Strategies 6

Learning Strategies 6 is designed to facilitate the transition to sixth grade academic life at Dana Hall. The course focuses on developing the “skills of being a student” that can be applied to the students’ core academic classes. Direct instruction in such areas as organization and planner use, note taking, test preparation, and reading comprehension is provided. Study hall time is also a component of the course, allowing sixth graders the opportunity to practice their skills under the supervision of a teacher.

In the Upper School:

Conference/Study Period

For 40 minutes each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning, Dana Hall provides a protected Conference/Study Period, a time during which all students and teachers are available to meet. This is a valuable opportunity for students to talk with their teachers about concepts covered in class, review class notes, begin their homework, ask for feedback on an assignment, or prepare for a test. Likewise, teachers may request a meeting with a student to help her, for instance, get caught up on any missing work.

Study Halls

In order to assist students in making effective use of their time, Dana Hall offers proctored study halls available to all students during each period of the day. Students may attend on a drop-in basis. Ninth graders may have up to two free periods in their schedules per week and tenth graders may have up to three free periods; these students are assigned to study hall for any remaining unscheduled periods. Upper School boarding students have study hall from 7:00-9:00 p.m. on Monday through Thursday evenings.

Skills Workshop 9

Skills Workshop 9 is a year-long course taken by all ninth graders. It is comprised of units in learning strategies, information literacy, and academic technology. The curriculum is designed to address the particular needs and skill development of ninth graders as they begin their first year in the Upper School.

Learning Strategies Workshops

Several times during the year, Dana Hall’s Learning Specialist offers workshops on topics such as organization, study skills and strategies, test preparation, and time management. These workshops are open to all students.

K2K (Kid-to-Kid tutoring)

Students who would like academic assistance from a peer may ask to work with a K2K tutor. K2K tutors are Upper School students recommended by faculty members to tutor in a subject area in which they have shown proficiency. K2K tutors and their tutees meet together during study halls throughout the day or after school, typically for one session per week.

Writing Lab

Students are able to sign up for individual appointments in the Writing Lab during their unscheduled periods. Writing Lab is available throughout the academic day and two nights per week. Assistance is provided on writing assignments at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming to drafting to final editing. The Writing Lab is staffed primarily by members of the English and Social Studies departments, as well as by other faculty members with a particular interest and skill in writing.

Math Lab

Similar to the Writing Lab, Upper School students may sign up for appointments in the Math Lab during unscheduled periods. Assistance is offered throughout the academic day, and at all levels of math, from Algebra I through Advanced Placement. Math Lab is also available two nights per week to both day and boarding students. In Math Lab, students may review concepts covered in their classes, do homework and ask for feedback, or receive assistance in preparing for upcoming tests or quizzes. Math Lab sessions are small-group format.

Science Lab

This resource is available to students during set periods of the week and before and after school several days per week. Assistance is offered at all levels of science and in all disciplines, Physics, Biology, and Chemistry. As with Math Lab, in Science Lab, students may review concepts covered in their classes, do homework and ask for feedback, or receive assistance in preparing for upcoming tests or quizzes. Science Lab sessions are small-group format.

Dana Hall's faculty encourages its students to make use of the academic support available to them at the School. Ultimately, we would like each of our students to develop their skills so that they become resourceful learners in the classroom and in the world, capable of working independently and collaboratively, drawing upon the expertise and ideas of their teachers and fellow students.

No fee is charged for any of these support services. They are open to all students on an as-needed and as-available basis.