DePaul Program

Overview

The DePaul Program is a four-year program designed for bright, motivated college-bound students with specifically diagnosed mild learning differences. The program’s goal is to help each student recognize and nurture his strengths while improving his overall performance in the classroom. The Mount believes academic excellence is an achievable goal for all students, as each one learns and grows according to his own unique talents.

Students receive small group or individual instruction with a learning specialist for one period each day. During this time, DePaul teachers employ a flexible approach designed to help each student improve in the areas in which he needs the most support. Students learn study skills and techniques to help them develop better organizational habits and study strategies and receive accommodations such as assistance with note-taking and extended testing time. DePaul teachers provide individualized attention and facilitate communication among students, classroom teachers and parents while helping each student develop the skills necessary to become a self-advocating, independent learner ready for college.

Admissions Requirements

List of 5 items.

Take the Archdiocesan High School Placement Test.

Pre-registration is required if your son needs extended time testing. Please submit a copy of your son's accommodations to Mount Saint Joseph’s Admissions Department one week prior to the testing date. Click here to view testing dates and locations and pre-register.
Submit a Mount Saint Joseph application.

There is a $50 application fee. The application can be found here.
Send academic records from previous schools to MSJ.

These must include school records for the last three years, eighth-grade report cards, and achievement test scores.
Submit documentation of diagnosed learning difference.
Please email documentation to admissions@msjnet.edu, including all of the following if available:
- Updated psychoeducational testing by a licensed professional within the last year
- 504 plan
- IEP
Interview in January.

Once all required records have been received, the Director of the DePaul Program will select potential candidates. Interviews with the candidates will begin in January.

Accommodations

Students in the DePaul Program are enrolled in the same academic courses as their peers at Mount Saint Joseph. When supported by documentation from a licensed professional, students may receive approved accommodations, such as up to 100% extended time on assessments, use of a computer, copies of notes, testing in the DePaul Center, text-to-speech support, and preferential seating. Access to accommodations is based on the student’s documentation and the resources available at Mount Saint Joseph High School.

Freshmen do not take a world language. Most students will take a world language appreciation class sophomore year to complete their graduation requirement. However, DePaul students may elect to enroll in world language courses, if they choose.

View the Brochure

Parent/Son Partnership

Your son is entering a new phase in his education – high school. This transition can be intimidating as students are getting to know a new campus and teachers, making friends, and managing schoolwork along with after school activities. Your support and guidance are especially important during this new and exciting time.

We require parents to attend monthly meetings for the DePaul Program. This enables us to stay in touch with you about the program’s different components, and provide you with a built-in support group. But most importantly it gives us the chance to address issues concerning your son’s education. The meetings will give all of us the opportunity to view a variety of learning materials, as well as discuss the best possible ways to ensure your son’s success in the classroom.

For more information about the DePaul Program, contact Mr. Brion Townshend, Director of Special Programs, at 410-644-3300 x2259 or btownshend@msjnet.edu.