Student Success Resources

Healthy, confident, and well-rounded students thrive both in the classroom and beyond.

With personalized attention in small classes and guidance from our Counseling, Health Services, and Learning Specialist teams, our students develop resilience, discover their unique learning styles, and achieve the meaningful goals they set for themselves.

LEARNING CENTER

Our Learning specialists work with students of all ages to develop tools that help them not merely handle the rigors of our program, but excel.


OUR WORK WITH STUDENTS

Learning specialists are a part of the fabric of our community and seamlessly offer a variety of individualized support to students so they can thrive.

In Lower School, learning specialists provide reading, writing, and math support for students in their classrooms. This support is designed for students who need a little additional, specialized academic support. The team also provides small group instruction using evidence-based practices in the areas of reading, writing, and math. As students get older, their work with learning specialists is increasingly connected to their in-class assignments and other homework/projects.

Lower School learning specialists also collaborate with classroom teachers to provide academic screenings and facilitate speech/language and occupational therapy screenings, conducted by contracted clinicians. A speech/language clinician and an occupational therapist provide on-campus, fee-for-service support for qualifying students. Learning specialists coordinate communication among all service providers.

In grades 7-12, learning specialists work individually with students. This provides a unique opportunity to build strong, trusting relationships in a safe and supportive environment. Learning specialists meet students where they are in their academic journey and challenge them to set attainable goals. They help students create action plans to meet those goals, all the while providing compassionate accountability. Students learn valuable skills through this process, including increased self-awareness and self-advocacy and an improved understanding of their unique learning profile. A focus on study skill acquisition, strategy implementation, and strategic use of accommodations helps our students blaze a trail of academic success.

Flint Hill students are also supported by a structure that includes access to trained counselors, one-on-one teacher attention for extra help each day, the opportunity to participate in guided study halls, and small class sizes that allow teachers to really know their students.

FAQS

Q. Do you serve students with diverse learning needs?

A. The Learning Center provides academic support for learners with diverse learning needs and/or attentional differences. Learning specialists work with students and teachers to help students perform to their potential.

Q. Are the Learning Center teachers specially trained?

Yes, learning specialists have specialized backgrounds and training in fields relevant to supporting students with diverse learning needs.

Q. What do I need to provide to the school if I believe my child might benefit from Learning Center support?

A. During the application process, it is helpful for families to provide all historical and current documentation of learning differences and/or attentional challenges. If families anticipate seeking an evaluation for learning differences and/or ADHD prior to joining Flint Hill, they can inform the admission staff during the admission process.

COUNSELING

The Flint Hill Counseling team offers personalized and intentional supports on an as-needed basis to students and families related to mental health and wellness. They collaborate with teachers to help our students create balance so they can meet the challenges of our program while enjoying the journey as much as the destination.


LOWER SCHOOL

Through weekly Wellness classes, counselors help students increase their awareness of themselves and others, learn about available school resources, and develop life skills such as communication and conflict resolution, respect for self and others, decision-making, time-management and goal-setting, stress management, and self-care.


MIDDLE SCHOOL

In Middle School, counselors help students navigate their emotional lives during early adolescence, impart conflict-resolution and problem-solving strategies as a part of a Wellness and Life Skills curriculum, and coordinate Middle School parent education events.


UPPER SCHOOL

In the Upper School, counselors work with students to provide individual support for their social, emotional, and psychological needs. They provide ongoing evaluation and assessment of students that are referred by faculty, staff, parents, and students themselves.

Upper School counselors take an active role in supporting students' growth by leading the Human Development curriculum, which covers important topics like wellness, relationships, and decision-making. They also plan and coordinate prevention programs aimed at equipping students with the tools they need to navigate challenges and thrive. A key initiative they oversee is the Peer Counseling Program, a leadership opportunity for students who are self-nominated and teacher-selected. These peer counselors receive training to provide support and guidance to their classmates, creating an additional layer of connection and care within the school community. Through these efforts, the counseling team fosters a supportive environment where students feel empowered to seek help and grow both personally and academically.

PARENT EDUCATION

Our Counseling team members also lead our Parent Education Series, a thoughtfully designed program that addresses pressing parenting topics and equips families with valuable tools and insights. Past events have included:

  • "Raising a Kid Who Can" - A session with experts offering a practical parenting playbook to help raise resilient, capable kids.
  • "Anxious Kids and Tolerating Big Feelings" - Guidance on supporting children through big emotions, encouraging healthy thought patterns, and fostering confidence in managing worries and fears.
  • "Empowering, Not Overprotecting" - A presentation from Lenore Skenazy about building independence and raising resilient kids.
  • "Empowering Conversations" - A workshop focused on equipping children and teens with the tools to navigate consent, build healthy relationships, and advocate for themselves.

This series is designed to empower parents with strategies and perspectives that support both their children’s growth and their family’s well-being.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

We believe that exceptional teaching begins with a commitment to continuous learning. Our focus to professional development means that teachers bring the latest research and best practices into their classrooms, creating dynamic and engaging learning experiences for students. By investing in our educators, we ensure that students benefit from an inspiring, forward-thinking community. When teachers model an innovative mindset, students are inspired to take meaningful risks and blaze trails of their own.

A Comprehensive Approach to Growth

Professional development at Flint Hill combines traditional opportunities, such as courses and conferences, with "job-embedded professional development" through our Professional Growth System. This system empowers faculty and staff to set personalized goals, track their progress, and share the outcomes of their progress with colleagues. By emphasizing individualized growth, we ensure that every team member develops skills and strategies that directly enhance their work with students.

Supporting Teachers as Leaders

We are proud to support our faculty and staff as leaders in their fields in sharing their expertise beyond Flint Hill. From presenting at conferences to leading workshops at other schools, our educators bring fresh insights to bring back to their classrooms.

Time Dedicated to Excellence

To prioritize professional growth, we’ve intentionally built time into our academic calendar for meaningful development.

At Flint Hill, professional development is more than an initiative — it’s a cornerstone of our commitment to delivering an exceptional education. By continually investing in our faculty and staff, we ensure that every student benefits from innovative teaching practices, thoughtful support, and a school environment where growth is celebrated at every level.

Community,
Challenge,
Success

Scheduled for Growth

At Flint Hill, academic extension isn’t an add-on — it’s built right into our schedule.

Our intentional Office Hours block gives Upper School students dedicated time to get personalized help, whether it’s visiting the Writing or Math Center, meeting with teachers, collaborating with a counselor, or working with a Learning Specialist for tailored strategies. Making the most of Office Hours is a valuable skill that our alumni find especially beneficial during their college years.

Twice a cycle, Advisory Study Hall (ASH) offers Middle School students a layer of structured support, where they meet in their advisory groups to go deeper in their learning.

These intentional moments in the schedule reflect our commitment to giving students the resources to thrive academically and personally.

peer-led empowerment

Upper School peer-to-peer tutoring programs like our Math Center and Writing Center provide students with invaluable opportunities to learn and grow. Expert students build leadership, confidence, and a deeper understanding of the material by teaching their peers, while those seeking help benefit from relatable guidance in a supportive environment. These centers foster collaboration, strengthen academic skills, and cultivate community, ensuring every student feels empowered to succeed.

the science of learning

Our team of learning specialists are experts in the science of learning seamlessly guide students to develop tools that help them excel at the rigors of our academic program, and then seek greater challenge.

Dedicated to Wellness

Our highly specialized Counseling department is composed of six professionals across all three divisions who focus exclusively on mental health and wellness. Flint Hill counselors design and implement thoughtful and developmentally sound wellness and human-development programming at every grade level.

a healthy community

We know keeping our community healthy requires a strong family-school partnership. Flint Hill has a robust health care team that works collaboratively with our counseling office to support students and employees. All three divisions have a full-time registered nurse on site from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily.

Teachers Who Inspire

Keeping up with the latest teaching practices and technologies demands continuous learning. Flint Hill’s dedication to professional development ensures we attract and retain top-tier faculty while fostering a dynamic learning environment for our students.

LEARNING SPECIALIST TEAM

Shannon McCarty

Director of the Learning Center


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Sonya Atkinson

US Learning Specialist and 9th Grade Seminar Teacher


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Olivia Bartley

LS Learning Specialist


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Stephanie Batbouta

US Learning Specialist and 9th Grade Seminar Teacher


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Ann Bazzarone

MS Learning Specialist


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Meghan Coakley

MS Learning Specialist


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Kimberly Dewar

LS Learning Specialist


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Sarah Kelsey

LS Learning Specialist


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Allison Kirsch

US Learning Specialist


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Judy Willett

US Learning Specialist and 9th Grade Seminar Teacher


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COUNSELING TEAM

Tracie Epes

Director of Counseling


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Nicole Carey

LS Counselor


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Andrew Doll

US Counselor and 9th Grade Seminar Teacher


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Alexa Galberth

US Counselor and 9th Grade Seminar Teacher


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John Magner

Associate Director of Counseling, MS Counselor, and Wellness Program Coordinator


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Natalie McLaughlin

US Counselor and 9th Grade Seminar Teacher


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Emily Sorbi

LS Counselor


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HEALTH SERVICES TEAM

Mary Hart

Director of Health Services


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Lisa Brown

Middle School Nurse


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Katie Hull

Lower School Nurse


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