Support. Encouragement. Compassion. These are just a few words that come to mind regarding Trinity High School’s very own Learning Support Program (LSP). This past August marked the one-year anniversary of the Learning Support Center (LSC) being built in dedication to former LSP director and creator Mary Ann Hall. Since its opening, the LSC has offered support to the 294 students enrolled in the LSP. The LSC is just another way that Trinity has set itself apart from other high schools in the surrounding area, truly giving each student enrolled the personalized support they need to find success here at Trinity.  

To understand what the LSC is and who it is for, the LSP must first be understood. The Learning Support Center and program are run by Learning Support Coordinators Jaclyn Bisig and Jane Vories, both who meet regularly with students in the program. Ms. Bisig shared, “A student must have documentation to qualify for a Learning Support Plan at Trinity. The student would need to have a learning difference diagnosed by a doctor from a psychoeducational evaluation.”  The Learning Support Program is designed to help Trinity students who have a diagnosed learning difference. Ms. Bisig continued, “We provide extended time, help with organization, missing assignments, as well as communicate and collaborate with teachers to ensure the students are getting the supports they need in the classroom.”  On average, 40 students come in and out of the center daily. Whether it be to get tutoring during advising, meet with Ms. Bisig or Mrs. Jane Vories, or to take a test using extra time, the program’s resources are able to shine bright when the student feels that they are in a position to do their best on their work. Bisig shared that, “We’re always checking grades.” But she had a message for students, “It’s not a warning because students are not in trouble when they are called to the Learning Support Center. They’re going to get support from us whenever they walk in the door. When students come to the LSC, we are here to provide guidance, support, and solutions.”  

Since its founding, Trinity has focused on finding ways to see that every student gets the individualized education experience needed to thrive in whatever postsecondary journey they embark on after Trinity. Early on, Trinity introduced the Traditional Program. The program was created to serve students who come to high school needing academic support and remediation. This program has long been considered a model for other schools. The Learning Support Program stemmed from the Traditional Program but is its own support system for those with a diagnosed learning difference in Academic, Honors, and Advanced levels.   

Trinity’s Learning Support Program was one of the first in the Archdiocese and has always been successful. Every year there are more and more students diagnosed with learning differences. Over time as the LSP grew, the need for a larger space arose. Ms. Bisig, along with Mrs. Lucia Simpson, got to work quickly and collaborated closely with an interior designer to create what is now the LSC. A lot of thought went into the creation of the center. The goal was to create a welcoming and functional center for students seeking support as well as to make students feel comfortable. There are two offices with privacy doors for counselor meetings, tall tables for students who wish to stand while working, privacy dividers for tests, along with a few comfortable pieces of furniture for students looking to take a breather.  

With 18 years of teaching experience, Ms. Bisig has worked with countless students at different stages in their academic journey and believes that teaching has prepared her for the Learning Support Coordinator role as she realizes what learning tools and techniques best translate to an in-class environment. She attributes much of her understanding of how students with learning differences learn to her history of being a teacher at Meredith Dunn School; this school specializes in K-8 students with learning differences and gives them the tools they need for high school. With Mrs. Vories also being a former teacher at Meredith Dunn, both Learning Support Coordinators know exactly how to best help each individual student enrolled in the LSP. Giving each student the best high school education experience is at the root of Trinity and allows each student to truly be GreaT.