Student Support is an integral part of Shipley’s approach to educational excellence because we know that each student's journey to flourishing is unique. We provide support that is individual and developmental in nature and designed to connect well-being (physical, social, and emotional) with academic skill development. Student Support addresses student needs through:
  • A sequential Pre-K through 12 curriculum focused on Social, Emotional and Ethical Development (SEED)
  • Universal well-being screening of 6th-12 graders
  • Advisory program in Middle School and Upper School to provide mentoring and guidance
  • Consultation with teachers, parents, and administrators
  • Administration and review of standardized academic assessments, such as ERB testing
  • Group and individual meetings with counselors
  • Individualized or group work with academic support teachers/learning specialists 
  • Review of individual psychoeducational assessment to inform classroom and standardized test accommodations
  • Referral to community resources
The Student Support Team in each division includes the Director of Student Support, the appropriate Division Administrator, Division Counselor, Learning or Academic Support Coordinator, and School Nurse. The divisional teams meet weekly. The primary goal of these teams is to help students identify paths to success and overcome potential barriers. The teams identify students in need, refer to appropriate resources,  provide appropriate interventions, and are committed to ensuring student success at Shipley.
 
Academic Support
Academic Support at Shipley is provided by trained specialists with a variety of educational backgrounds. Sessions are based on student need and can include short-term interventions focused on organization and time management or a specific aspect of reading, as well as long-term work on specific learning weaknesses or overall study strategies.
 
Specialists in each division provide ongoing consultation to parents, teachers, grade level teams, administration, and student support teams so that student needs can be addressed in a holistic manner. While many students who utilize Academic Support will have psychoeducational testing on file, the specialists in each division can provide referrals to community-based professionals who have expertise in evaluating Shipley students and making appropriate recommendations.
 
While students are often referred for Academic Support by the divisional Student Support or grade-level team, there are no formal requirements to be enrolled in the program. As an independent school, Shipley does not write or follow Individualized Education Plans (IEPs), nor do we utilize 504 plans; however, students who work regularly (particularly in Middle and Upper School) with Academic Support will have a written Learning Profile so that teachers can understand the student’s strengths, challenges, recommended accommodations, and beneficial strategies.
 

Meet the Team

List of 9 members.

  • Photo of Sharron Russell

    Sharron Russell 

    Director of Student Support and Well-Being
    Phone/Extension: 4116
    Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine - PsyD
    Immaculata University - Certification
    University of Pennsylvania - MSW
    Pennsylvania State University - BA
  • Photo of Lorin Early

    Lorin Early 

    Lower School Language Arts Specialist
    Phone/Extension: 4744
    University of Pennsylvania - MS
    University of Pennsylvania - BA
  • Photo of Lindsey Fick

    Lindsey Fick 

    Middle School Counselor
    Phone/Extension: 4611
    Villanova University - BA
    Villanova University - MS
  • Photo of Megan Fitch Berrios

    Megan Fitch Berrios 

    Lower School Student Support
    West Chester University - BS
    National Louis University - MEd
  • Photo of Anne Griffin

    Anne Griffin 

    Middle School Academic Dean and Academic Support Coordinator
    Phone/Extension: 4164
    University of Colorado - MA
    Colorado College - BA
  • Photo of Elizabeth Martin

    Elizabeth Martin 

    Upper School Student Support
    Phone/Extension: 4621
    Harvard University - EdM
    Southern Methodist University - BA
  • Photo of Lucie McDermott

    Lucie McDermott 

    Lower School Math Specialist
    Phone/Extension: 4734
    Rosemont College - EdM
    Millersville University - BSEd
  • Photo of Jennifer Myer Trainer

    Jennifer Myer Trainer 

    Upper School Academic Support
    Phone/Extension: 4133
    Keene State College - BSEd
    Fairfield University
  • Photo of Kira White

    Kira White 

    Upper School Counselor, US DEI Coordinator
    Phone/Extension: 4661
    Swarthmore College - BA
    University of Pennsylvania - MSW
    University of Pennsylvania - MPH
The Shipley School is a private, coeducational day school for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade students, located in Bryn Mawr, PA. Through our commitment to educational excellence, we develop within each student a love of learning and a desire for compassionate participation in the world.