ESD’s manifesto states that, as a school community, we appreciate the importance of exemplary test scores, but our goal is exemplary lives. We strive to send our graduates to exceptional universities, but our ultimate destination for them is exceptional happiness. Our manifesto is not a stagnant document that was written and left on a shelf - pulled out only when asked about. It is lived out each and every day on campus and beyond.

An integral part of our manifesto coming to life and evolving with our students is our Emotional Wellness and Learning Support Services (EWLS) department. ESD has combined our counseling and learning support services for more than three decades to help students reach their full potential.

The Emotional Wellness and Learning Support Team consists of 14 full time faculty and staff members, four of which are licensed mental health professionals (one clinical psychologist, two social workers, and one licensed professional counselor) and three Chaplains. The primary responsibility of the counselors is to provide emotional and social guidance and support for the school community in an effort to promote an exceptional environment for learning, social responsibility, and childhood development.     

In addition to our well-developed Emotional Wellness program, our Learning Support is a subset of the EWLS department to develop the unique potential of each student. In accordance with the school’s mission, ESD provides support services to address the individual learning needs of students in an effort to help them successfully meet the demands of the school’s rigorous curriculum. A team of professionals (e.g., learning specialists, psychologists, certified academic language therapists) works with students, teachers, parents, administrators, and outside professionals to identify and address the specific learning needs of each student.

Here are just a few ways our EWLS department helps our Eagles soar:

• In lower school, Responsive Classroom (RC), a student-centered, evidence-based approach to teaching and learning focusing on engaging academics and positive community, is central to daily life. Everyday, each classroom begins with an engaging Morning Meeting, which fosters community and collaboration while setting students up for success socially and academically. 

• Learning Support:
  • Lower School Language Lab program allows younger students with a demonstrated need to receive reading support services integrated into their school day, without the need for after-school or outside-of-school services.   
  • Middle School Learning Lab successfully aids in the transition to Middle School by providing direct, small-group, and individualized support for students with a demonstrated need.
  • The Middle School Study Table program successfully meshes student accountability and academic support while automating timely feedback to parents and students.
  • Upper School Learning Support Counselors provide individual counseling and executive functioning support. ESD has a well-defined process for the granting, implementing, and communicating of academic accommodations. 
  • Our Upper School Academic Enrichment Center (AEC) provides in-school tutoring support (math and writing support) for our upper school students by our upper school faculty and honors students, National Honor Society and Mu Alpha Theta, at no cost to families.

For information on additional programming like advisory, please visit our student support page.