Special Needs

 Accessibility

To welcome and meet the special needs of students with impaired mobility, SJA offers unobstructed wheelchair access throughout all student buildings, as well as on our playground.

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 Counseling

For the pat two years, SJA has contracted with the Alpha Omega Institute to provide students with a highly qualified school counselor who has a strong background in psychology.  This successful program has been well received by students and parents.

Our school counselor assists faculty members and students in fostering a constructive learning environment through strategies to help every child engage in the educational process. An open dialogue is always available between counselor, teachers, students, and parents. Students experiencing difficulties can meet privately with our school counselor — on a one-time or ongoing basis — with parental permission.

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 Resource Support

SJA offers resources for students with special needs such as a documented learning disability, or a medical disorder which affects the learning process. Students who need support in the acquisition of English as a second language are also eligible for services. Through supportive instruction and collaborative planning with teachers, the resource program helps every student develop an awareness of his or her own unique learning styles and learning challenges.

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 Extended Day

As a convenience for parents in need of childcare after school hours, the SJA Extended Day Program offers supervised enrichment each school day from the end of the regular school day until 6:00 p.m. The Extended Day program includes planned activities to develop individual growth through arts and crafts projects, indoor and outdoor games, and computer time. Play time in the gym is offered in the event of inclement weather. Quiet time for reading or completion of homework assignments is available to students daily. A movie and popcorn are featured every Friday. Christian attitudes toward self and others are emphasized in all activities. A nourishing daily snack and fruit juice is provided, but children must bring their own lunch on early dismissal days. All snacks and lunches must conform to SJA food guidelines. For additional information, please contact Extended Day at 703-448-3826 during the hours from dismissal until 6:00 p.m.

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 Study Halls

The library is open each day during lunch for seventh and eighth-grade students in need a quiet place to study. On Tuesdays, the library and the computer lab are open after school for students in grades four through eight who wish to stay and study, or do some research.

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