Academics

Learning Support

The Learning Support Department at Burke provides assistance to students with learning differences. Middle and high school learning specialists offer students help with organization and note-taking, memory and test-taking strategies, and self-advocacy skills. They review all psycho-educational testing reports and monitor the use and implementation of accommodations.

The department advises faculty on best practices for teaching students with learning differences and ensures the proper implementation of accommodations. Also, the learning specialists provide outside referrals for tutoring and psychoeducational testing, manage the peer tutoring program, and consult with families regarding academic concerns.


With a formal evaluation, a student may receive the following classroom accommodations:
  • Extended Time
  • Copies of Notes
  • Classroom Use of Computer
  • Designated Seating
  • Use of a Calculator

Applying for Accommodations on Standardized Tests

SAT

During a student’s ninth grade year, families of students interested in applying for accommodations on College Board exams are encouraged to contact the high school learning specialist to ensure that all required steps have been taken to meet the College Board guidelines.    
To be eligible for accommodations on College Board tests (PSAT, SAT, AP), a student must meet the following requirements:  
  1. Only students with a comprehensive cognitive and academic assessment that was administered or updated within the past five years will be eligible.
  2. Medical diagnoses of attentional issues without testing will not be accepted.  
  3. Testing must clearly state that there is a learning disability and/or an attentional diagnosis.
  4. An initial diagnosis should have been made at least four months before an accommodation request is made, and students must use the accommodation(s) requested in classrooms at their schools.
  5. Applications need to be submitted at least seven weeks before the testing deadline.
For more information regarding the application process and documentation guidelines, please refer to the College Board website. 
ACT

Should your student choose to apply for accommodations on the ACT, please know that this is a different testing organization than the SAT and the application is completed at a different time. Applications for ACT accommodations must be made during the school year in which the student takes the ACT, and not before. Typically, students choose to take the exam during their eleventh grade year. At that time, families of students interested in applying for ACT accommodations are encouraged to contact the High School Learning Specialist to ensure that all required steps have been taken to meet the ACT guidelines.  
To be eligible for accommodations on ACT tests, a student must meet the following requirements:
  1. Only students with a comprehensive cognitive and academic assessment that was administered or updated within the past three years will be eligible.
  2. Medical diagnoses of attentional issues without testing will not be accepted.
  3. Testing must clearly state that there is a learning disability and/or an attentional diagnosis.
Students may request National Extended Time or Special Testing Accommodations through ACT. National Extended Time accommodations, which include 50% time, can be accommodated at a National Testing Center. Special Testing Accommodations, which include 100% time, 50% time over multiple days, and use of a computer, can only be accommodated at Burke.    
Please see the following websites for more information regarding ACT accommodations.
Special Testing Accommodations

Tutoring Policy

Burke’s schedule allows students the opportunity to meet with tutors and outside professionals during the school day. Often, students take advantage of this privilege by working with tutors during their free periods or directly after school.

Parents, if your student plans on working with a tutor on campus, you and the tutor must fulfill the Tutoring Requirements, follow the Policies and Procedures, and fill out the forms below. All tutors are required to complete these steps prior to working with students on campus. Please start the application process and background check early to allow for adequate processing time.

Tutoring Requirements
Tutoring Policies and Procedures
Tutor Application
Parent Consent Form for Tutoring

Academics

Learning Specialists

List of 2 members.

  • Chalis Waizenegger 

    High School Learning Specialist
    202-362-8882 x608
    Earlham College - B.A.
    George Washington University - M.A.
  • Photo of Viktoria Schofield

    Viktoria Schofield 

    MS Learning Specialist / MS Soccer and Softball Coach
    202-362-8882, ext. 609
    Johns Hopkins University - M.S.
    Towson University - B.S.

Helpful Resources

Organizations that provide support to families of students with learning disabilities:

Lectures and Workshops

Lectures and workshops available in the Washington, DC metro area
Co-ed, progressive, college prep school in Washington, DC featuring a challenging curriculum in an inclusive environment for grades 6-12.